Norwich Terrier

The breed developed around Norwich and Cambridge in the late nineteenth century among stable lads and Cambridge undergraduates, who favoured small, game terriers for ratting and for bolting foxes from their earths during hunts. One influential early dog, a terrier named "Rags" kept at Cambridge, is credited with founding much of the type's popularity among students, who took the little terriers home with them across England and eventually abroad. For decades prick-eared and drop-eared dogs were shown together as a single breed before the Kennel Club separated them, with the Norwich name going to the prick-eared type.

Living with a Norwich Terrier means living with a small dog of considerable spirit. It is affectionate, sociable and generally good with children, often more biddable day to day than some other terrier breeds, though it retains a strong instinct to chase and dig. It is intelligent and enjoys training, but its curiosity can override recall around interesting scents, so off-lead work needs a secure, enclosed space until reliability is proven.

The wiry coat is low-maintenance in terms of washing but needs hand-stripping a couple of times a year to keep its harsh texture and prevent it becoming soft and dull. Exercise needs are moderate, met by daily walks and playtime, and the breed enjoys earth dog trials and other activities that tap into its terrier instincts.

Today the Norwich Terrier is a popular, cheerful companion breed, prized for combining a small size with genuine terrier grit and a notably sociable, un-snappy temperament.