Norwich Terrier Guide: Temperament, Grooming, Health and Adoption
Norwich Terrier history and overview
The AKC places the Norwich Terrier in the Terrier Group and lists England as its origin. The AKC recognized the breed in 1936. The United Kennel Club speculates that the breed was developed from small Irish Terriers crossed with other terrier breeds, including the Border and Cairn. The original breed had prick-eared and drop-eared varieties, and the drop-eared dogs were later recognized as the separate Norfolk Terrier.
How big is a Norwich Terrier?
The AKC places the Norwich in its small size category. The AKC publishes a height of 10 inches and a weight of 12 pounds, VCA Animal Hospitals describes the breed as about 10 inches tall and 12 pounds, and the United Kennel Club gives an ideal height of 10 inches and an ideal weight of approximately 12 pounds.
Norwich Terrier temperament and personality
The AKC describes the breed's temperament as alert, curious, loyal, affectionate and gregarious. The United Kennel Club standard calls the breed characteristically alert, affectionate, fearless and loyal, and describes it as not aggressive. VCA Animal Hospitals describes a feisty, energetic dog with opinions of its own and a loud bark that alerts you to what is going on. The AKC's general ratings put the breed high for family affection and openness to strangers, and for compatibility with children, and mid-range for compatibility with other dogs.
Exercise and activity needs
VCA Animal Hospitals says Norwich Terriers need regular, vigorous exercise, especially during their first few years. Walks, outings in the woods or leashed explorations around the block can keep the dog healthy and engaged.
Does a Norwich Terrier shed? Norwich Terrier shedding and grooming
The AKC lists the coat as short, double and wiry, and rates shedding in the middle of its scale. So Norwich Terrier shedding is moderate rather than absent. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that keeping the true coat texture means stripping, which is pulling out dead hair by hand or with a stripping knife, on a regular schedule of roughly every few months. Groomers often clip the coat instead, which can change its texture but may be more comfortable for older dogs and easier for busy owners. Between professional sessions, comb the coat several times each week, and keep the nails trimmed and the ears and teeth clean. The United Kennel Club standard says the breed is shown with a coat as natural as possible and that only tidying is acceptable.
Norwich Terrier training
VCA Animal Hospitals says training should be creative and fun with plenty of rewards, because a bored Norwich may wander off to find something more interesting. The AKC's general rating for trainability is mid-range. VCA Animal Hospitals adds that the dog does like to please its owner, as long as it is also pleasing itself.
Norwich Terrier lifespan and health problems
The AKC gives a general life expectancy of 12-15 years. VCA Animal Hospitals calls the breed generally healthy but says some dogs suffer from seizures, allergies, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and cataracts. It advises asking the breeder about hip and eye clearances and asking to see the test results.
Considering Norwich Terrier adoption or rescue
Anyone looking at Norwich Terrier adoption will want to weigh the breed's lively, terrier-to-the-extreme temperament against their own routine. The AKC's general ratings for energy and mental enrichment are both high, so a dog needs daily activity and something to occupy its mind. Ask the rescue or its caretaker what is known about the individual dog's health history, and ask a veterinarian about screening for the conditions listed above.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Norwich Terrier as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Terrier Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1936
- Height (AKC published)
- 10 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 12 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 12-15 years
- AKC size category
- Small
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
- Trainability: 3 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 5 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Norwich Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Norwich Terrier | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Norwich Terrier - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
