Norwich Terrier: breed features and secrets of its content

Charming Norwich Terriers are representatives of the famous English hunting breed. These animals are characterized by a cheerful and positive disposition. They are suitable not only for hunting - Norwich terriers are also wonderful companions. Today we take a closer look at these interesting pets and find out how to properly care for them.

Experts believe that representatives of this breed of dogs appeared no later than the 19th century in Norwich (or Norwich), located in the east of England. Initially, these small-sized pets were operated as a good workforce: they actively participated in the hunt for game inhabiting burrows, and also engaged in the extermination of rats that were found in food storages. Already at that time, a great companion was obtained from the Norwich Terrier.

Researchers to the end and could not find out what specific breeds were involved in the selection of Norwich terriers. However, in accordance with popular belief, they are direct descendants of Irish Terriers or Trampington Terriers, which in our time can no longer be found.

In 1932, the English Kennel Club recognized the breed of Norwich Terriers. At the same time, certain demands were made on its representatives. There were 2 main types of dogs. For a long time, disputes about which type is more suitable for exhibitions have not subsided. Since the beginning of the 1930s, breeders have tried their best to give as many noticeable differences as possible to the different types of these dogs.

Norwich terriers fit the description of ordinary burrow hunters. They differ in a squat structure. They have a strong skeleton and chest of medium width.

Among the representatives of this English breed, the smallest individuals can weigh no more than 5.2 kg. The growth of the smallest dogs is usually not more than 26 cm. At exhibitions and competitions, experts do not lower their grades if the four-legged participant has “combat marks” left after the hunt. This is usually damage to the ears or skin of the animal. Of course, grades will not be reduced if the injuries do not affect the full value of the animal.

There are recognized standards that state all the characteristics inherent in these pets. Let's get acquainted with them in more detail.

• Since the coat of these pets is thick and solid, their head looks more voluminous and large than it actually is. Like other famous terriers, the Norwich have a spacious skull box with a slightly rounded apex. The forehead looks flattened and drastically "flows" into the back of the nose. Closer to the nose of the nose, the muzzle of these pets is becoming narrower.
• The lips of thoroughbred individuals will always be thin and tightly pressed to the jaws. The teeth are large, located in an upright position. The fangs are closed by a strong lock, forming a standard scissor bite.
• The nose of these dogs is miniature in size. It is characterized by noticeable sensitivity and is mobile.
• Norwich eyes are oval, set to a noticeable depth, which is a protective feature of the structure. The color of the iris is usually close to dark brown. The look at the Norwich Terriers is always interested, expressive. In their eyes, notes of positive and some kind of cute little laugh are visible.
• The ears of purebred representatives of the breed are characterized by a triangular structure. They are medium in size and can be extremely standing - other options are not allowed by standards. In the course of work, the ears are always noticeably tense and “look” forward. If the dog is completely calm, his ears will be slightly laid back.
• The body of the little hunters is very strong, has a rectangular structure. The neck is firm, but not too long. The scruff is weak, the suspension is completely absent. The chest of thoroughbred Norwich should not be too wide, as this will seriously interfere with normal work.
• The ribs of Norwich terriers are spring-loaded and strongly pulled back.
• The sternum is slightly lowered to the line where the elbows are, or slightly lower. The shoulders of animals are well developed. The back is straight and smoothly transforms into a croup with a braid and lower back, which is not very pronounced.
• The extremities of thoroughbred dogs are not very long - they are short, straight, a little thick. The elbows are adjacent to the sternum, the femoral part is strong and characterized by moderate length. The forelimbs are more muscular than the hind limbs.
• Paws of Norwich are large, have well-developed strong claws. Pads are well filled, due to which the representatives of this hunting breed are able to dig well.
• The tail is flush with the back of the dogs or is located slightly higher. It can be either intact or docked - both options are allowed. If the tail is not docked, then it should be strong and straight. Slight bending is allowed. If stopping of this limb was made, then it should be extremely direct and should be a continuation of the spinal line.

The coat of Norwich can be envied by representatives of many other similar breeds. In small English hunters, wool is distinguished by high density and a good layer of undercoat.On the head, muzzle and ears, the coat is smooth and shortened. It feels more like a delicate and pleasant silk to the touch.

The neck and neck of the Norwich terrier are decorated with a luxurious collar that looks like a solid lion's mane from the side. It is collected from the outer hair of considerable length. The muzzle of the Norwich has a slight beard and thick, pronounced eyebrows.

The color of the coat of Norwich can vary markedly. The following colors are allowed by standards:

• red - plain color of the coat, can vary from light red to dark red;
• zoned - is a combination of red and black shades of wool (proportions may vary);
• black and tan (predominant hue) - uniform black, there are reddish-brown tan in the limbs, muzzle, abdomen, chest.

In dogs of the described breed, the coat cannot have a white color. Even small white spots are not allowed by current standards.

As in the case of other breeds, it is possible to acquire a Norwich Terrier puppy only after having previously familiarized yourself with all the features of its character.

Norwich are active and highly motivated pets. They are hardy and rarely fool around, although they look funny. This type of pet is recognized as a wonderful assistant in hunting. In addition, it will make a wonderful friend who will always be on the positive. Norwich terriers are very attached to their owners and have an incredibly good-natured disposition. Communication with a person is true happiness for them.

This cute and playful dog can be taken without fear into a family in which there are children. Norwegians surprisingly quickly find a common language with the younger members of the family and figure out how to have fun together. Such leisure will necessarily be accompanied by incessant fuss, running around and enthusiastic squeals - you can forget about silence.

Once in a new home, a thoroughbred English puppy will quickly charm all family members. Norwich people fall in love at first sight. These pets do not show zealous behavior, so they can live in the same territory with other pets without any problems.

If you want to get such a cute and cheerful pet, then you need to know in advance that the Norwich are not only very active, but also very curious. At times, they can be very noisy, bringing real “chaos” to the house. Dogs of this breed do not hesitate to cast their voices. The reason for this can be both the joy of the dog and his anxious mood. Often the Norwegians put their teeth into action and start to gnaw absolutely everything that they liked and aroused interest.

Despite the fact that Norwich terriers are small dogs and are naturally cheerful, they are not without nobleness and prefer to demonstrate independence more often. The hunting qualities of these animals are well expressed, so it is better not to lower the leash during walking. Chasing a cat passing by, the Norwich can get so carried away that it will stop responding to the owner’s commands. As a result, the animal may be lost.

Norwich are very alert pets, so they make amazing reliable watchmen. True, the territory of the house can noticeably suffer from the activities of such a terrier - representatives of this English breed are great digging enthusiasts. During the hunt, they are able to dig even those holes that are very deep. For this reason, at home, such dogs will diligently dig up the entire section up and down, receiving great pleasure from this process.In this case, the animal’s energy will be spent a lot.

These terriers are highly jumping. Meeting the owner, such dogs will try to jump on him, showing incredibly joyful emotions.

Before you go shopping for a purebred Norwich Terrier puppy, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of these pets.

First, consider how good these charming little hunters are.

• Norwich people are sociable creatures who like to spend time in the company of man. That is why they make wonderful companion dogs.
• Such pets are friendly and without aggression to other pets. They also communicate with children without malice and unnecessary caution.
• The intelligence of the Norwich is very high. They are smart and understanding, quickly master new teams.
• Immunity in the Norwegians is considered quite strong. They rarely get sick, especially if they are given proper care.
• Norwich terriers can live without problems in an ordinary city apartment. This is an ideal solution for people who want to get a dog, but do not have much room for keeping a large breed.
• These dogs are non-jealous, therefore, unnecessary conflicts with neighboring pets for this reason usually do not arise.

The advantages of dogs of this breed are significant. Many people choose Norwich for them, who want to get hold of such a kind and positive four-legged comrade. But Norwich Terriers have a number of minuses that you need to be prepared for.

• The temper of these dogs is restless. In rare cases, they may even show aggression.
• Norwich can suddenly jump on other people's animals.
• If you want to feed such a dog with finished food, you will have to purchase only expensive, high-class products. As a result, the maintenance of such a pet can seriously hit the family budget.
• Norwich Terriers should not be let off the leash. You can walk only with him. Otherwise, the pet may run for the victim of his choice, after which he can no longer be found.
• Acquiring a puppy of this breed in Russia is not an easy task.

Norwich Terrier is a healthy breed that is distinguished by good immunity. Many breeders who plan to have such a pet are interested in how long they live. Usually these lovely "English" live at least 13-15 years. Much of this depends on the owners.

Dogs of this English breed are recognized as universal in matters of care and maintenance. They feel very good and comfortable both in a city apartment and in a private house. For chain or enclosure, these good-natured pets are completely unsuitable. When the owner is not nearby, the thoroughbred Norwich will be subjected to severe stress, which will ultimately lead to bad behavior of the animal as a whole.

Norwich terriers are active and moving pets, so you can’t leave them without walking. Walking with such a pet should take at least 2-2.5 hours. Experts strongly do not recommend walking these pets without a leash.

These dogs need proper care. The main problem of Norwich is dense wool, consisting of two layers. It is important to comb it carefully 2-3 times a week. This should be done in the direction of hair growth. For this purpose, it is recommended to purchase a small wooden scallop with long and sparse teeth. Plastic combs and brushes are undesirable, as they will greatly electrify the dog’s coat. Removal of dead hairs due to this is noticeably more complicated. In seasonal periods when pets molt, they need competent trimming.

Grooming is advisable to trust specialists. It is recommended that you independently carry out such procedures only if you have experience in this matter. Mowing thoroughbred hunters must be carried out according to a certain pattern.

It is often not recommended to bathe Norwich Terriers, although adhering to this recommendation for owners of little hunters can be difficult: Norwegians like to dig and dig, and actively explore all the surroundings. Because of this, their wool layer is very quickly contaminated.

Bath procedures should be resorted to only in case of emergency. If this is done too often, the animal’s natural fat balance can be seriously affected. There is nothing good in this. To remove all the dirt that is on the surface, it is advisable to use a special dry shampoo. They rub it into the animal’s hair, combing it thoroughly at the same time.

Any hygiene products released for humans are not suitable for dogs. Often they lead to violent allergic reactions. For water procedures, you should choose a quality zoo shampoo from a well-known brand. It is worth giving preference to special products designed specifically for hard wool. Alkalis and acids in the shampoo for the dog should not be much. In the cold seasons, experts advise using special conditioner balms. At the end of water procedures, the dog's hair should be thoroughly wiped with a dry towel, and then dried with a hairdryer (the temperature should not be too high).

Every week you need to carefully examine the ears of terriers, especially after hunting. Dog ears should be cleaned at least once a week. To do this, you will need to moisten the cotton pad in a special tool that can be purchased at any veterinary pharmacy. You should not get too deep into the auditory meatus (more than half a centimeter). Gently wipe the auricle until the cotton pad is completely clean. Only after that it will be necessary to wipe the ear dry, using only a lint-free piece of cloth or a tampon.

If you notice that purulent discharge is present at the corners of the eyes, then you should visit a veterinarian with your pet. Do not engage in self-treatment at home - entrust it to a professional. Eye drops can only be used as directed by a specialist.

The oral cavity of these dogs is their weakness and vulnerability. Since the teeth sit in the gums more tightly than in other cases, you need to resort to a thorough but careful brushing weekly. To manage to remove all soft plaque from the teeth, it is worth using a special zoo. Pastes with different tastes are especially popular for animals. Such a tool is applied to the toothbrush, and then it removes all food residues, making sweeping movements. In pet stores you can also find very small nozzles on the finger, with which you can also easily and without unnecessary inconvenience to clean dog’s teeth.

If you notice an unpleasant odor from the dog’s mouth, this will indicate that tartar has formed on your teeth. You should not fight it yourself. Contact a specialist who can save your pet from such a problem.

The claws of the novice terriers do not need special attention, but the owners should still buy a special claw cutter. If the pet's claws do not have time to grind on hard surfaces, they should be carefully trimmed as they grow. Carrying out these procedures, it is very important not to accidentally damage the “living” half of the claw where the blood vessels are. To smooth the sharp edges of the claws, use a nail file. She can remove the burrs.

Norwich terriers, as well as representatives of other well-known breeds, must eat properly and suitable foods. These little hunters are not too demanding and capricious in choosing food. They suffer from food allergic reactions in rare cases. Norwegians are allowed to feed both finished industrial feeds and high-quality natural products of first freshness. The combined menu is not always suitable, because it can cause a number of problems associated with the digestive system of the animal. Experts do not recommend resorting to such feeding.

If you decide to feed a thoroughbred dog with finished feed, then It is worth buying exclusively premium and super-premium options. Holistic food, in which there is a high content of vitamin complexes and minerals, is perfect. Dry granular nutrition will help to clean the teeth of the animal, thereby avoiding the formation of tartar. Wet foods are more suitable for young puppies or lactating bitches, as well as older individuals.

Many owners prefer to feed Norwich Terriers not with ready-made feeds, but with natural products. In this case, the basis of the diet should be meat. Of the total amount of food, it should be at least 60%. Raw or boiled pieces of beef are ideal. A small layer of fat is allowed. The presence of tendons and cartilage is not prohibited. A great combination is meat and boiled sea fish. The latter should not be with bones.

It is necessary to make various cereals in the diet of these pets. Grains are allowed: buckwheat or rice. The latter can be diluted with finely chopped vegetables or even fruits. Daily intake of vegetable oil will positively affect the condition of the skin, claws, Norwich coat. Serving should not be more than 1 tablespoon.

In the diet of terriers should not be:

• meat with a high percentage of fat content (pork or lamb);
• high carbon foods;
• river fish (this product is prohibited in any form);
• products made from wheat flour;
• raw chicken;
• berries with seeds;
• spicy foods;
• legumes;
• tubular bones;
• whole milk;
• muffins and sweets in any form.

There should always be fresh and clean water in the dog bowl. It can be bottled or flowing, but infused for 6-8 hours.

Norwich terriers are pets that are distinguished by excellent health and strong immunity. They are resistant to colds. If you keep such an animal in suitable conditions for it and feed it with quality food, you will not have to constantly visit a veterinarian with it.

Although these dogs rarely get sick, nevertheless, there are some ailments that are encountered in such terriers more often than others. These include various kinds of pathologies related to the respiratory system, and such a serious disease as epilepsy. Some individuals of this breed suffer from brachycephalic syndrome.

The key to long life of a pet is timely vaccination. The first vaccination must be done when the puppy is 2 months old. Follow-up vaccination will be needed after 2 weeks.At 6 months, purebred Norwich is vaccinated against rabies.

In the "flock" Norwich can take a leading position, so from the first days of appearing in a new house, this pet must establish all the basic rules. First, it is necessary to separate the territorial boundaries within which the animal can be. If it seems to you that a bedroom or a nursery is not suitable for visits by terriers, you must make it clear to your pet that a closed door is an insurmountable barrier, in which you must stop and wait for your master.

It is important to instill good manners in the dog. When you walk with your pet, immediately suppress absolutely any “race” for pigeons or cats. Do not let your pet jump on strangers. Ideally, a Norwich should not pay any attention to people passing by him. Thus, it will be possible to avoid a huge number of conflict situations.

Do not stop the pet from communicating with its relatives. Early socialization is required for representatives of this breed. It is advisable for the Norwich Terrier to select more friendly and spiteless friends. The age and gender of the pets do not play any role.

The intelligence level of these animals is high, so they are easy to train. During the training program, the owner must follow the sequence and be patient. Doggie can begin to stubborn, despite the fact that he wants to please "his" man.

Arouse your pet interest in new teams - then training will be simple, fast and fun. Motivate the little hunter using exceptionally good praise and delicious goodies.

During the training and training of the Norwich Terrier (it doesn’t matter if it is a puppy or an adult dog), one should not be rude to rude ones - screaming or resorting to physical punishment. Such good behavior of the owner will not end in anything good. As a result, relations with the dog will be ruined, and she will not treat the person as her friend and ally.

The most common problem of the representatives of the described breed is the response to the call of the owner, if the pet is very keen on something. The nickname is the last thing you can hope for: terriers simply will not pay attention to it. It is advisable not to go far and long from such a dog. You need to use a special roulette leash, especially when you are in places with busy car traffic.

Norwich are frequent participants in various competitions: freestyle, agility and other types of "dog" sports. If you want your dog to participate in such events, you must hire a professional trainer.

Charming Norwich terriers are suitable for a variety of nicknames. The puppy’s name must be taught first. Since it will have to be called many times during the day, it is better to give preference to a more understandable and short version, simple in pronunciation. Choosing a nickname for your favorite doggie, you should pay attention to its external data and character. These parameters will allow you to choose the most suitable name for the pet, which will be "to his face."

So, for girls of the Norwich breed, such interesting nicknames are ideal:

• Erika;
• Jesse
• Wendy;
• Lucy;
• Tuffy.

If you have a terrier boy, then you can choose a good name for him from the ones proposed below:

• Alto;
• Rem;
• Gray;
• Chris;
• Jay.

In the content of such a cute pet some tips and tricks from experts should be considered.

• Norwegians often exaggerate their importance, because of which they can enter into a fight with larger and more powerful brothers. In such situations, only a professional dog handler or an extreme measure - castration of a male will help.
• Walking Norwich is recommended in companies with Norrier terriers. These pets are used to biting each other's faces. Representatives of other breeds of such gestures may misunderstand.
• Pork is a prohibited product for these dogs. And the matter is not only in its fat content. Such meat is completely not absorbed in the body of Norwich, so you should not give them similar products in any case.
• Pet nutrition must be monitored. Servings should not be too large, as the Norwich are prone to obesity, which entails a host of other serious health problems.
• It’s possible to teach a Norwich Terrier puppy to the tray. But this does not mean that after this the dog will not need to walk.
• Norwich Terriers are not recommended to be kept in the same area with small rodents or rabbits. Dogs can perceive such pets as an object for hunting.
• Norwich terriers are gaining more and more popularity, the color of their woolen coat is black. If you select such a pet, pay attention to its back: it will have a dark shade, and the belly and paws - wheat or brown.
• In the home for such a pet, you should highlight your own corner, where his cozy sleeping place, favorite toys, as well as bowls for food and water will be located.
• It is advisable to regularly visit a veterinarian with such a dog, despite its good immunity. Thus, you can bypass many possible ailments that your pet is at risk of.
• The process of training and training should begin from the first days of the appearance of a puppy in a new house. Do not waste time and do not put it off for later, because over time the dog will give in to the learning process worse.

In the next video you will find interesting facts about the breed Norwich Terrier.