At a glance the quick version
The AKC standard gives about 12 lb (5.4 kg); Wikipedia gives 5.0-5.5 kg. The FCI standard sets no weight.
Coat and looks how to spot one
hard, wiry coat with thick undercoat
A small, stocky terrier with a straight, wiry coat that hugs the body and a thick undercoat. Longer hair on the neck forms a ruff around the face, and the pointed ears stand upright.13
Personality what they are like
A happy, plucky little terrier that is loving with its people and seems unaware of how small it is. It is energetic and loyal, and fits in easily with family life, though like most terriers it may enjoy a bit of barking and digging.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Up to about an hour of exercise a day; it enjoys walks, play and earthdog-style games.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush more than once a week; the wiry coat is usually hand-stripped to keep its texture.41
Home where they are happiest
Suits town or country homes with daily walks; a secure garden is useful because of its hunting instinct.4
Company who they like around
A people-loving breed that likes to be close to its family; early training helps channel its terrier energy.23
The story where it all began
In the 1880s small red ratting terriers were being bred around Cambridge, and a line later taken up by Frank Jones gave the breed its Norwich name. The Kennel Club accepted it in 1932, and in 1964 the drop-eared dogs were split off as the Norfolk Terrier, leaving the prick-eared Norwich as its own breed.124
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Before 1964 Norwich and Norfolk Terriers were a single breed; the Norwich kept the prick ears.4
- 2
Its breed story starts with small red ratting terriers bred around Cambridge in the 1880s, which is why an early name was Cantab Terrier.2
- 3
In the early 1900s it was known in the United States as the Jones Terrier, after breeder Frank Jones.2
- 4
The Royal Kennel Club lists it as a Vulnerable Native Breed.4
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 72, Group 3 Terriers, Section 2 Small-sized Terriers; standard published 13.10.2010, country of origin Great Britain.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Terrier group; accepted in 1932, separated from the Norfolk Terrier in 1964; listed as a Vulnerable Native Breed.4
- AKC
- Has an AKC standard, approved 13 October 1981 and reformatted 23 March 1990.3
Popularity Fewer than 300 UK puppy births a year; a Royal Kennel Club Vulnerable Native Breed2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Norwich Terrier. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard N° 72 Norwich Terrier fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Norwich Terrier en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, weight, height, history timeline, popularity
- AKC Official Standard of the Norwich Terrier images.akc.orgused for height, weight, temperament, colours
- The Royal Kennel Club: Norwich Terrier royalkennelclub.comused for lifespan, exercise, grooming, vulnerable status, history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.