Norwich Terrier — breed guide
The prick-eared twin of the Norfolk. Carries an inherited upper-airway narrowing that behaves a lot like a flat-faced dog's — worth knowing before a hot walk.
At a glance
- Group
- terrier
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 5–5 kg (11–11 lb)
- Life span
- 12–16 years
- Coat
- Hard, wiry, straight coat
Living with a Norwich Terrier
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Light shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Barks readily.
- Good with children.
- Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Plucky · Affectionate · Alert · Sociable
Health to watch
- Upper airway syndrome
- Mitral valve disease
- Patellar luxation
- Epilepsy
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Norwich Terrier good with kids?
Generally yes. Norwich Terriers are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Norwich Terrier good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Norwich Terrier need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Norwich Terrier handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Norwich Terrier's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.