If your family is looking for a dog who can be a small but sturdy playmate for the kids by day and a delightful armchair companion by night, you might be interested in the Norfolk Terrier. Get to know this titan of the Terrier Group by reading some fascinating Norfolk Terrier facts.
They Were Developed by an English Horseman
Frank “Roughrider” Jones, an English horseman of the early 20th century, developed a strain of little red terriers as rat killers and fox bolters. So closely was Jones associated with this type of dog that generations of American sportsmen referred to them as Jones Terriers.
A Norfolk Terrier Aren’t Lapdogs
They’re small. They’re loyal. And they will gladly curl up in your lap. But these aren’t lapdogs. Norfolks are true terriers — feisty, fearless, and game for adventure. Among the smallest of the working terriers, Norfolks will stand 9 or 10 inches at the shoulder, but their bodies are substantial and hardy. And there’s nothing ornamental about their hard and wiry protective coats.
Norfolk or Norwich? It’s Easy to Tell Which Is “Wich”
The Kennel Club of England recognized Jones’s terrier as a breed, called the Norwich Terrier, in 1932. The AKC followed suit in 1936. Within the breed, there were always two varieties — the drop-ear and prick-ear. The Kennel Club declared the varieties two separate breeds in 1964, and the AKC did the same in 1979. The prick-eared (ears up) variety continued to be called the Norwich, and the drop-eared (ears down) was renamed the Norfolk Terrier.
Here’s a way to tell the difference between the two breeds. The “folk” in “Norfolk” sounds like “fold” (the ear is folded over). Meanwhile, the “wich” in “Norwich” sounds like “witch” (the ear is erect and comes to a point, like a witch’s hat).
Separate Classes Were Added in 1962
The terrier authority of the time, William Ross Proctor, suggested separate classes in conformation for each ear type. In 1962 they implemented this change, over 10 years before they were officially recognized as separate breeds. Proctor was also a judge, judging shows like Westminster among others during his career.
They’re Slightly Smaller Than Their Cousins
Their ears aren’t the only things that set them apart from the Norwich Terrier. The Norfolk Terrier is slightly smaller than the Norwich Terrier. The Norfolk Terrier stands at 9-10 inches, and the Norwich Terrier stands at a firm 10 inches. The Norfolk Terrier is also 11-12 pounds, but Norwich is 12. It may not be a big difference, but it’s another thing that sets them apart!
They’re Small Dogs With Big Personalities
Ol’ Roughrider Jones bred his little red dogs to be two-in-one terriers. They were self-reliant enough to work solo as an earthdog, dispatching rats and other vermin. But they were also used in packs on foxhunts. As pack dogs, expected to get along with their packmates, they are more gregarious than typically independent-minded terriers.
These days, not many Norfolks are turned loose in packs on foxhunts. Their “pack” is more often their human family, other household dogs, and their pals at the dog run. They are among the most sociable of terriers, yet retain plenty of the classic terrier’s gameness and pep. This combination of true terrier spirit and pack-dog amity is an endearing characteristic of the breed.
The Breed Name Comes From an English County
The Norfolk Terrier gets its name from its place of origin. The county of Norfolk is located in eastern England. Norwich (the source of the Norwich Terrier’s name) is a prominent city in Norfolk.
They’re Not a Popular Breed, But They’re Also Newer
The Norfolk and Norwich Terrier divide also meant that the Norfolk Terrier was AKC-recognized later: in 1979. The Norwich Terrier was recognized in 1936. But despite the 40-year difference, there isn’t too much of a popularity gap between these breeds. The Norfolk Terrier sits in the 120 range of rankings, where the Norwich Terrier is closer to rank 100.
Other Clubs Recognized the Split First
The American Kennel Club recognized the Norfolk Terrier in 1979, but two other kennel clubs internationally beat them to the punch. The Kennel Club in English recognized the Norfolk as a distinct breed from the Norwich in 1964. The Canadian Kennel Club recognized the split in 1977 — the AKC did in 1979, two years later.
Other Terriers May Have Factored Into the Norfolk
Some dog breeds are thought to be part of the creation of the Norfolk Terrier. Specifically, other iconic terriers. Thought to be included in the makeup of the breed are the Border Terrier, the Cairn Terrier, and the Glen of Imaal Terrier.