Norwich Terrier
Height24–26 cm (9–10 in)
Weight5–6 kg (11–13 lbs)
TypeTerrier
Life Expectancy12–15 yrs
OriginEngland
One of the smallest working terriers, with upright ears and a fearless spirit. Norwich Terriers are affectionate, sociable, and adaptable — equally happy on a country walk or a city apartment.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
4/5
Trainability
4/5
Playfulness
5/5
Energy Level
4/5
Social
Good with Kids
4/5
Good with Dogs
4/5
Good with Strangers
4/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
5/5
Exercise Needs
3/5
Watchdog Ability
4/5
Barking Level
3/5
Care
Shedding
2/5
Grooming Needs
3/5
Health Robustness
4/5
Where Are Norwich Terriers From?
Norwich Terriers were bred in East Anglia, England, to hunt rats in barns and bolt foxes from their dens. Cambridge University students kept them as dorm pets in the late 1800s, earning them the nickname “Cantab Terriers.” At just 10–12 pounds, they’re one of the smallest working terriers.
What Is It Like Living With a Norwich Terrier?
Norwich Terriers pack incredible confidence into a tiny frame. They’re fearless, curious, and sociable — unlike many terriers, they generally get along well with other dogs. They’re affectionate without being clingy and adapt well to different living situations as long as they get enough stimulation.
How Much Exercise Does a Norwich Terrier Need?
Exercise needs are moderate: 30–45 minutes of walks and play daily, plus mental enrichment. They’re surprisingly athletic for their size and enjoy agility and earthdog trials. The wiry double coat needs hand-stripping twice a year to maintain texture, with weekly brushing between sessions.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Norwich Terrier?
Health concerns include upper airway syndrome (a breathing issue specific to the breed), epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and mitral valve disease. Despite their small size, Norwich Terriers are sturdy and long-lived at 12–15 years.
Are Norwich Terriers Healthy?
Norwich Terriers suit apartment dwellers, singles, and families wanting a small dog with real terrier spirit. They’re not for owners who want a quiet lap dog or those unwilling to deal with the digging instinct. Surprising fact: Norwich Terriers have prick ears while their close cousins, Norfolk Terriers, have drop ears — that’s literally the only physical difference between the two breeds.
Our Honest Take on the Norwich Terrier
The Norwich Terrier is a small, charming, and astonishingly expensive breed — partly because litters are tiny (often C-sections) and partly because the waitlists are 18–24 months. Worth it for the right person.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Assuming they're the same as Norfolks. Norwich (prick ears) and Norfolk (drop ears) split as separate breeds in 1979 and have somewhat different temperaments — Norwich are typically bolder.
- 2Hand-stripping versus clipping confusion. The harsh coat is meant to be hand-stripped every 8–12 weeks ($80–$130 per session); clipping ruins coat texture within a year.
- 3Underestimating the prey drive. Norwich were bred to kill rats — small mammals, hamsters, and sometimes cats are not safe long-term unless raised together from puppyhood.
- 4Skipping epilepsy and upper airway syndrome (UAS) screening. UAS is a documented breed-specific condition causing breathing issues; reputable breeders are now actively researching it.
Who Should Think Twice
Avoid Norwich Terriers if you want a quick adoption — ethical breeders have waitlists of 1–2 years and litters of 2–4 puppies. Also skip if you have small pets, can't commit to hand-stripping or paying a stripper specialist (rare in many areas), or want a dog that ignores small wildlife. They will dig up your garden and hunt rodents in your walls. Apartment dwellers can make it work, but only with daily off-leash exercise.
Real Costs in 2026
Norwich Terrier puppies are pricey at $3,500–$6,000 in 2026 due to scarcity, small litter sizes, and frequent C-sections. Annual costs are moderate at $1,800–$2,600, but specialty hand-stripping ($400–$700/year) adds up. Pet insurance ($30–$45/month) is recommended primarily for the upper airway syndrome risk and dental issues common in small terriers. Lifespan averages 12–15 years.
Living With a Norwich Terrier: Year by Year
Norwich Terrier puppyhood is small, sturdy, and surprisingly confident — these are working ratters from East Anglia, and the puppy phase shows the breed's defining trait early: terrier tenacity packaged in a 10-12 pound body with a remarkably sociable disposition. By month 4 most Norwich puppies are alert, mouthy, and showing strong prey drive toward small moving objects (rabbits, squirrels, mice). Adolescence is mild physically but emotionally engaged; most are recognizably adult by month 12-14. Prime adulthood (2-12) is what defines the breed: gregarious with family and strangers (unusually friendly for a terrier), tough enough to work all day, and small enough to fit on laps. The surprise for most owners is the rarity — Norwich Terriers are genuinely uncommon in the U.S., with under 1,000 puppies registered annually, and finding ethically bred puppies often requires 6-18 month waits. Senior years are typically 13-15; the breed is robust, with patellar luxation and a rare but serious upper airway syndrome (UAS) as the primary concerns.
The Training Reality
Moderately trainable — Norwich are smart, food-motivated, and more biddable than most terriers, but the prey drive overrides everything around small moving animals. Coren rankings don't include Norwich, but practical training puts them roughly with Border Terriers: capable and relatively cooperative. Housetraining by month 5-6. Marker training with high-value food rewards works exceptionally well; the breed responds to positive methods and has a notable food drive. The realistic ceiling is solid pet obedience, earthdog trials, barn hunt, and recreational agility — these are genuinely versatile small dogs. The training pitfall is the prey drive; off-leash reliability around small wildlife is essentially impossible regardless of training. The breakthrough most owners need is accepting that this is a fenced-yard-and-leashed-walk breed for safety. Skip aversive methods; Norwich are emotionally tougher than most small terriers but still respond best to relationship-based training.
A Day in the Life
Morning is a 30-45 minute walk plus a play session; Norwich have moderate energy and need real exercise to settle indoors. Daytime is patrolling the house, alert-barking at outdoor sounds (less than most terriers but still vocal), and napping in laps. The harsh double coat is unique among small terriers — non-shedding when properly hand-stripped twice yearly ($60-90 per session) but shedding moderately if clipped. Many pet owners opt for clipping despite the texture loss. Most Norwich sleep 12-14 hours. Evening is another 20-30 minute walk plus indoor play. The quirk owners discover: Norwich are 'velcro terriers' — unusually devoted to family, often following one person room to room and demanding lap time. The other reality is the rarity; Norwich owners often join breed clubs and rescue networks because finding the next puppy or trusted veterinary advice requires breed-specific knowledge.
How Norwich Terriers Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to a Norfolk Terrier (the Norwich's close cousin, distinguished only by ear set — Norwich have prick ears, Norfolks have drop ears), the temperaments are essentially identical and the choice is purely aesthetic. Compared to a Cairn Terrier, Norwich are smaller, more sociable with strangers, and slightly less yappy; Cairns are tougher and more independent. Compared to a Border Terrier, Norwich are slightly smaller and more confident with people; Borders are lankier and slightly more reserved. Compared to a West Highland White Terrier, Norwich are calmer indoors and less prone to skin allergies; Westies are more available and louder. If you want a friendly small terrier that works in active households, the Norwich is genuinely one of the best choices, though availability is the practical obstacle.
Great For
- Families with children
- Apartment living
- First-time dog owners
- Active, outdoorsy people
- Multi-pet households
- Allergy-conscious homes
- Home security
- Social, outgoing lifestyles
Think Twice If
- You have a sedentary lifestyle
Are Norwich Terriers Prone to Health Issues?
Norwich Terriers are predisposed to: upper airway syndrome, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation. Overall, this is a relatively healthy breed with fewer concerns than average.
Health Robustness
4/5
How Much Does a Norwich Terrier Cost?
Purchase Price
$2,000–$3,500
Monthly Food
$25
Annual Vet
$400
Annual Grooming
$200
Est. First Year
~$3,650
Est. Annual
~$900
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Norwich Terrier cost?
A Norwich Terrier puppy typically costs $2,000–$3,500. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $3,650, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $900.
How long do Norwich Terriers live?
Norwich Terriers have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Common health concerns include upper airway syndrome, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation.
Are Norwich Terriers good with kids?
Norwich Terriers score 4/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Norwich Terriers shed a lot?
Norwich Terriers have a shedding level of 2/5. They are relatively low shedders but still need occasional grooming.
Are Norwich Terriers good for apartments?
Norwich Terriers score 5/5 for apartment friendliness. They adapt very well to apartment living and don't require a large yard.