Norfolk Terrier dog breed

Norfolk Terrier dog breed

Appearance
The Norfolk Terrier has a wire-haired coat which, according to the various national kennel club breed standards, can be "all shades of red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle."

They are the smallest of the working Terriers. They are active and compact, free moving, with good substance and bone. Good substance means good spring of rib and bone that matches the body such that the dog can be a very agile ratter, the function for which it was bred.

Norkies are moderately proportioned dogs. A too heavy dog would not be agile. A too refined dog would make it a toy breed. Norfolks generally have more reach and drive and a stronger rear angulation, hence cover more ground than their Norwich cousins. Norfolk have good side gait owed to their balanced angulation front and rear, not their perceived slightly longer length of back as is often cited.

The ideal height is 10 to 12 inches ( 25-30 cm) at the withers and weight is about 12 pounds (5 Kg).

Temperament

Norkies are described as fearless but should not be aggressive despite being capable of defending themselves if need be. They, along with Norwich Terriers and Border Terriers, have the softest temperaments of the Terrier Group. Norkies work in packs and must get along with other dogs. As companions in the home they love people and children and do make good pets. Their activity level is generally reflective of the pace of their environment. This breed should not be kept or live outside since they thrive on human contact. Generally Norfolks are not given to unnecessary barking or digging but will do either out of boredom when left alone for too long a period. They generally cohabitate well with other household pets when introduced as a puppy. Though, in the outdoors they are natural hunters with a strong prey drive for small vermin.

Norkies are self confident and carry themselves with presence and importance, holding their heads and tails erect. A Norkie that is shy, or carries its tail between its legs is untypical as is a dog that is hot tempered and aggressive with other dogs; these are not the standard. Norkies' typical breed temperament is happy, spirited and self confident. The greatest punishment to a Norkie is his human companion ignoring him.

History
In the 1880s, British sportsmen developed a working terrier of East Anglia, England. The Norwich Terrier and later the drop-eared variety now know as the Norfolk Terrier, were believed to have been developed by crossing Cairn Terriers, small, short-legged Irish Terrier breeds and the small red terriers used by the Gypsy ratters of Norfolk.

They were first called the Cantab Terrier when they became fashionable for students to keep in their dormitory at Cambridge University in England. Later, they were called the Trumpington Terrier, after a street in the area where the breed was first developed. Then, just prior to World War I, a Norwich huntsman helped introduce the short-legged terriers to the USA, calling them the Jones Terrier.

In 1932, the Norwich was granted acceptance into the English Kennel Club and the first written standard was created. The American Kennel Club registered the first Norwich Terrier in 1936. In 1964, The Kennel Club reclassified the drop-ear variety as it its own breed, the Norfolk Terrier, and the prick-eared variety retained the name Norwich Terrier. The American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club both recognized the division of the Norwich Terrier breed in 1979. After many generations, these two breeds have developed as two distinct breeds both in physical looks and in temperament. Of note, there is literature that suggests that the Norfolk and Norwich were always two distinct breeds and the original mistake was classifying them as one.

Working style
Norkies were originally bred as barn dogs to rid the barn of vermin. They were also occassionally used on the hunt to bolt animals of equal size from their den. Their short legs do not make them an endurance dog to keep up with a horse. Norkies are pack animals and hence expected to get along with other dogs while working or in the home. As a pack dog they take turns working their prey. They are fearless and their courage is incredible. Today of course they are household companions and must have an agreable dispostion for living with people.

Health
The life expectantcy of a Norfolk Terrier is 12 to 16 years, with some growing as old as 19 years. They are generally considered as a healthy breed but there are incidences of health issues that Responsible Breeders consider worthy to do preventative testing. Norkies have incidences of mitral valve disease, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and incorrect bites (where the teeth do not align with the breed standard, ie. overshot or undershot).

Norkies generally have free whelped, small litters averaging two puppies. Responsible Breeders only breed healthy dogs that have been genetically tested for known ailments of the breed, are of good temperament, champion pedigree and best reflect the written kennel club standard. The demand for Norfolk is far greater than the supply. The environment in which they are raised directly impacts the temperament of the puppy for its lifetime. Norkies do not thrive in kennel environments.

Grooming
These breeds have two coats - a harsh, wiry topcoat and a soft, warm undercoat. Ideally the coat is combed daily with a steel "greyhound " comb, but all that is really necessary for grooming a companion dog is a good combing once a week to remove the loose, dead hairs and prevent matting. As a minimum, the coat should be hand stripped once in the Fall and once in the Spring. Clipping or cutting ruins the coat's colours and texture. You can wash this coat with a dog shampoo any time it is desirable. For detailed information, see http://www.wildgooseterriers.com/grooming.htm

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Norfolk Terrier dog breed