Overview
The Norfolk is the drop-eared cousin of the Norwich Terrier; the two were one breed until the 1960s and share a wiry, weatherproof coat and a compact, low build. Bred around Cambridge and the Norfolk countryside to control rats and bolt foxes, it is tough, quick and a lot of character for six kilos.
What sets it apart from many terriers is temperament. Norfolks were kept in packs and tend to get on with other dogs and with people, which makes them easier company on a group walk. The terrier is still in there, though, and it shows the moment something rustles in the hedge.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day across two walks keeps most adults fit and sane. They enjoy a good pace for their size and will happily trot for miles, but they also like to investigate, dig and poke about in cover, so build in time for that rather than marching them.
They are not fragile. Rain, wind and cold bother them little, and the hard coat sheds most dirt once it dries. Heat is the only weather to plan around.
On the walk
- Recall: Reasonable for a terrier, which means decent until a squirrel or rabbit appears. Off-lead in enclosed areas only, and keep rewards high value.
- Prey drive: Small, fast things trigger a chase and the Norfolk is quick and low enough to get into places you cannot. Watch for holes and dense cover.
- Other dogs: Usually friendly and well able to hold its own without starting trouble. Watch big, rough players; the Norfolk will not back down and could get hurt.
- Digging: Given a bank or a soft flowerbed they will dig, and they do it with enthusiasm. Keep them off anything the owner would mind coming home muddy.
Tips for professional walkers
- Use a harness; a determined small terrier on a collar can hurt its neck and slip free.
- Check the coat and ears for burrs and ticks after walks through long grass.
- Carry high-value treats and practise recall often; it keeps the terrier brain pointed at you.
What to ask the owner
- How reliable is the recall in open ground, and has the dog ever gone to ground after something?
- Does the dog have any history of arguments with particular dogs, or a type it dislikes?
- Is the coat hand-stripped, and are there times before a show or groom when mud should be avoided?