Norfolk Terrier - Friendly and playful – Lobo Azul

The Norfolk Terrier is one of the smallest dogs within the group of terrier dogs, characterized by being brave, friendly and very active. All these qualities give him the necessary potential to be considered the perfect companion for anyone who has the time available to dedicate to the entertainment of this dog. So if you are thinking of adopting a Norfolk terrier or you already live with one, here you can learn everything about this little one in relation to its origin, physical characteristics, temperament and care to become an expert.

Small size .
Weight : Between 5 and 6kg.
Hair type : Medium length and very dense
Character : Self-confidence, Fearless, Cheerful, Energetic, Sociable
Health : Healthy
Life expectancy : Between 12 and 15 years.

Origin of the Norfolk Terrier

To know the origin of the Norfolk terrier it is necessary to go back to the 16th century, specifically to the region of East Anglia, located in the southeast of England. This dog was used in these territories to carry out hunting tasks, as well as to keep rats away to avoid their agglomeration in the drains and prevent them from lurking among the crops. At that time the word Norfolk had not yet been attributed to identify him, so he was simply referred to as a terrier . In the 19th century, a person named Charles Lawrence sold several examples of these terriers to a group of students from the University of Cambridge.

These dogs were small and had a reddish tone to their coat, which could also grow black and tan. They attracted so much attention that they became famous on the academic campus. Not only did he love his looks, but he also fascinated his rat-hunting skills. This caused them to become known as Trumpington Terriers . Although the origin of their existence was unknown, it is believed that they could have been the result of crossing between the Irish terrier and the Yorkshire terrier. Subsequently, there was a boom in the sale of terriers. Jodrell Hopkins acquired a small female who mated with a tawny terrier with long silky fur, resulting in a puppy known as Rags . Rags was then given to a man named Jack Cooke who put him through a crossbreeding process with a female called Ninety , owned by Lewis Low. From this union, puppies emerged whose fur was a red shade. Some of them were acquired by a man named Frank Jones , who noticed that these dogs were highly valued in the sporting market in the region where he lived. It was then that he decided to take the initiative to create a breeding line of which he would export some specimens to the United States, these being known as Jones Terrier .

These types of dogs began a series of combinations that would give way to different varieties of terrier, eventually obtaining dogs with two types of ears: raised and fallen. Unfortunately, the owners of this variety cut them for aesthetic purposes. But due to the damage caused to the animal, this act was penalized by British legislation in 1940. This led to the emergence of two breeding lines. On the one hand, the Norwich terriers with raised ears, and on the other, the Norfolk terriers with drooping ears. The latter were the ones that prevailed and evolved as a result of subsequent crosses until obtaining the lop-eared version known today.

Physical characteristics

Despite its compact size, the body of the Norfolk terrier is strong, with a short back but maintaining uniformity in it with the presence of curved ribs, as well as a medium-length neck. Both its front and hind limbs are characterized by having a straight, short and strong appearance. They have more muscles in the hind limbs, forming round legs with thick pads. In relation to its head, the skull is a little rounded at the top, creating a false perception of uniformity. It widens in the ear area, making it proportionate in relation to its cheeks, resulting in a small but well-designed head with the correct dimensions. The eyes of the Norfolk Terrier are oval with a rounded contour that, being located far behind the muzzle, acquire depth. Around them they are covered by fur that contrasts with their dark tone, which can also present shades such as brown and black. All this generates a look full of intelligence and mischief, which can also become a look of alert when suspecting an irregular situation around.

Their ears are medium-sized, located on the top of the head in the shape of a triangle topped with a roundness at the tip. These are soft to the touch and are folded, falling towards the front, remaining at eye level. Regarding its tail, it is thick at the base, tapering towards the tip with a size proportional to the body. All of this provides it with the necessary stability and balance, as it can also lie in a straight position or be flexed but without lying on its back. In this sense, tail docking was considered an alternative, being established by the FCI standard. But, over time, this practice has decreased until it is considered illegal in many countries. As for the coat, in this breed it is quite hard and rough, sometimes being referred to as wire. It is short in length, although it can vary depending on the area of the body. It mainly remains this way in the area of the ears and head, unlike the eyebrows and mustache, where it is longer. Generally, their fur is completely straight, without curls and close to the body. In these dogs the coat can have different shades in which solid colors stand out that maintain uniformity throughout their body. These tones are red, or a little lighter similar to wheat. Although there may also be combinations where there are terriers that have a coat with a shade between black and gray or black and tan. White spots can also be part of their coat, although they are not a highly appreciated feature in the world of dog shows. This breed has a height at the withers that is between 25 and 26 centimeters for both the male and the female. With a standard weight of 5 kilograms, which applies to both as well.

Character of the Norfolk terrier

Although alertness is something that is perpetually present in the Norfolk Terrier, in general its character is playful , outgoing and friendly, with good socialization skills. But these skills can only be manifested as long as they have been implemented through correct training. This way we can allow him to have appropriate interaction with both people and other animals in his environment. Otherwise, the Norfolk Terrier may be predisposed to being shy around unfamiliar people or situations, making them feel uncomfortable to the point of growling as a defense mechanism. In some cases you can even acquire a posture that allows you to be prepared for any situation that generates insecurity or represents a threat to your space.

In relation to other species of the same class, this dog is not usually arrogant or aggressive although, if it is not trained properly, its constant barking can become a problem that is difficult to correct. Due to the breeding that their ancestors had with the purpose of being used in hunting burrowing animals, this dog maintains in its instinct the need to chase small prey such as cats and rabbits. For this reason, the Norfolk Terrier must be subjected to a socialization process with these animals in order to generate correct interaction with them, without going to the point of chasing or attacking them. Added to this, although it is not a large dog, it is a very brave and active breed, willing to protect its family group, complementing this quality with a happy, intelligent and affectionate attitude. It is a dog that, due to its physical characteristics, is appropriate to have in spaces such as small houses or apartments. Their company is liked by both adults and children, who must take the necessary care to deal with a small dog like this one. Taking into consideration its restless and playful character, it is not advisable for elderly people to have this breed of dog as a pet.

Care of the Norfolk Terrier

Their hair tends to tangle, but the process of maintaining it is relatively simple. Simply brush your hair 2 or 3 times a week to avoid this type of situation. If not done correctly, it can cause the hair to take on a rough texture. In addition, brushing will also serve to control this dog's hair loss, since it sheds regularly, and thus prevent it from sticking to furniture and clothing.

Bathing should be done only when the Norfolk Terrier is dirty, ensuring that this does not become a very frequent routine, as it could cause the hair structure to weaken and a greater amount to be shed. On the other hand, daily exercise will be a good ally to appease their active nature, also combining it with calm walks. It is advisable to take him for a walk twice a day, with an outing where the dog can run and play to properly drain all the energy contained throughout the day. In short, thanks to its small size and its need for company, this breed is ideal to be integrated into a family group , as well as to live in small apartments, as long as they receive appropriate training so that they do not bark constantly.

Education and training

Due to the intelligence they have, training them is a relatively easy process to carry out, although it is also necessary to know that this breed can assimilate harmful behaviors, and it is advisable to be constant in the training techniques implemented until the dog becomes comfortable. familiarize yourself with them. A method that can be very useful when educating your child is positive reinforcement. This method consists of gratification as a reward for good behavior, which can be expressed through gratitude, rewards and displays of affection.

This allows the Norfolk Terrier to develop a bond of trust and security with its owner, unlike if shouting and punishment are used as a means of education. This type of education, in addition to not generating good results, also does not contribute to forging bonds of good relationship with the dog, causing negative responses in it that can lead to aggression, fear and stress. In this way, by using positive reinforcement you will be able to maintain enthusiasm and motivation in the dog, which will allow you to face the problems that appear in this breed such as constant barking and the destruction of the green areas of the home, where the dog tends to dig instinctively. In this sense, it may be appropriate to create a small section in the garden to allow the dog to carry out this practice.

Norfolk Terrier Health

The health of the Norfolk Terrier is characterized by remaining stable, so there are no known diseases that could affect this particular breed. Of course, it is necessary that as an owner you take into consideration the same care used with dogs of other breeds, in order to prevent them from contracting contagious diseases and other problems that may affect their health. Likewise, it is essential that you take your Norfolk Terrier to the veterinarian periodically. This will establish control related to their immunization through a vaccination schedule, as well as deworming to prevent the proliferation of serious diseases such as canine parvovirus or infestations resulting from the invasion of fleas and ticks. Check other races: