Where the Norwich Terrier came from
The Norwich Terrier comes from England, and is one of the smallest working terriers. The breed is tied to the university city of Cambridge and the city of Norwich. Terriers that look like the Norwich were used to hunt vermin and bolt foxes.
A huntsman named Frank Jones is credited with spreading the breed, and early dogs were known in the United States as Jones Terriers. A breed club was formed in England in 1932. The AKC recognized the Norwich Terrier in 1936.
The Norwich and the Norfolk Terrier were once one breed. The AKC split them in 1979. The Norwich has upright ears, and the Norfolk has folded ears.
- 1932 The first Norwich Terrier breed club is formed in England
- 1936 AKC recognizes the Norwich Terrier
- 1979 AKC separates the Norfolk Terrier from the Norwich Terrier
The job a Norwich Terrier was bred for
A small ratter and fox bolter that was also a stable and hunt companion. That is why many Norwiches are bold, curious and quick to chase, and happiest with their people.
What you may see at home
Bold, curious, chases small animals, loves their people.
Give them: Barn hunt, scent work, and short training games.
Sports that fit a Norwich Terrier
- Earthdog. The breed's classic work
- Barn hunt. A natural fit for a small ratter
- Agility. Quick, light and brave
- Rally. Fun for an eager to please terrier
- Scent work. A calm job for a busy nose
Training tips for a Norwich Terrier
- Use short, happy sessions with tiny treats.
- Teach recall in a fenced space, since they will chase small animals.
- Practice a quiet cue and reward calm after barking.
- Handle paws and coat gently from puppyhood so grooming is easy.
Body and health
A small, sturdy dog with a wiry coat that needs regular brushing and occasional hand stripping. The breed can have breathing and back problems in some lines, so ask the breeder about health testing.
Fun fact. The Norwich Terrier has upright ears. The folded ear version is a separate breed called the Norfolk Terrier.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Norwich Terrier is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.