small breed
Norfolk Terrier
The drop-eared half of what was one breed until 1964 in England and 1979 in the United States, and slightly longer in the back than a Norwich. Norfolk Terriers are sturdy, sociable and game, tough enough for a child's play at eleven pounds. The health question that separates the two is the heart: mitral valve disease is the most significant condition in this breed, and hip scores matter more than the size suggests.
Pup Height
9-10 in
Pup Weight
11-12 lb
9-10 in at the withers and 11-12 lb at maturity, with females tending to be smaller, and a back slightly longer than the height. Ears drop and V-shaped, slightly rounded at the tip and carried close to the cheek - the feature that separates the Norfolk from the prick-eared Norwich Terrier. A hard, wiry, straight coat that lies close to the body, longer and rougher around the neck and shoulders, kept tidy by hand-stripping rather than clipping. All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle; dark points are permissible and white marks are undesirable. Source: AKC breed standard.
Pup Lifespan
13-15 years
Your pup, at a glance
What’s Life With This Pup Really Like?
High. Norfolks love company and settle happily beside their people after a busy day.
Very good. Sturdy and good-humored enough for gentle play, though toddlers still need supervision.
Mixed. Easy with other dogs by terrier standards, but small pets that run trigger the prey drive.
Moderate. They bark at arrivals and anything suspicious, and more when bored or alone.
Moderate. Busy and game outdoors, then content to rest indoors once the walks are done.
Light. A wiry coat that sheds little, especially when kept stripped.
Bold and enthusiastic. Chasing, digging and toys that squeak are the main attractions.
Minimal. A tidy mouth that rarely drools.
Fair. Smart and food-motivated but independent, with slow house training and unreliable recall.
Moderate. Alert and quick to announce visitors, but far too friendly to guard.
Moderate. Weekly brushing plus hand-stripping a few times a year to keep the coat correct.
High. Small, portable and happy in an apartment, provided they get company and daily walks.
Lifestyle fit
Could This Be Your Best Breed?
Norfolk Terriers do well in an apartment or a small house with an owner who walks them daily and can live with excavation, slow housetraining and a recall that quits the moment a squirrel moves. Thirteen to fifteen years at $1,500 to $3,000 a year, hand-stripping included. The wait alone rules them out for anyone who wants a puppy this year.
Living Space
Adapts well to an apartment or a small house as long as the daily walks happen. A yard is welcome but needs a sound fence with nothing to dig under - Norfolk Terriers are small enough to slip through gaps and determined enough to make new ones.
Pup Experience
Workable for a first-time owner who is patient and consistent. Norfolks are friendly and eager for company but have a terrier's independent streak, so recall and house training take longer than the size suggests.
Daily Pup Time
About 45 minutes to an hour of walks and play daily, plus a weekly brush and a hand-strip or professional groom a few times a year.
Allergies & Coat
The Norfolk Terrier scores 3/10 for shedding and 1/10 for drooling. No dog is truly hypoallergenic. The allergens come from dander and saliva, and a coat that sheds this little leaves far less of them on your furniture, floors, and clothes.
Quirks & challenges
The Not-So-Easy Stuff
Digging
A ratting instinct that turns flower beds into excavations. A designated digging spot works better than trying to stop it.
Unreliable Recall
Once a squirrel or rabbit moves, the name stops working. Keep them on a leash or in a secure area.
Prey Drive
Pet rodents, rabbits and birds are at real risk. Cats raised alongside them are usually fine.
Slow House Training
Like many small terriers, Norfolks can take months to be reliable indoors. A crate and a strict schedule help.
Hard to Find
A small number of litters each year, so expect a waiting list with a club breeder.
Dislikes Being Alone
A companionable breed that can bark or chew when left for long days without company.
The good, the bad & the hairy
Health, Care & Costs
Understanding the health risks and ongoing costs of a Norfolk Terrier helps you plan for a happy, healthy life together.
13-15 years
$60-$100
per groom (hand-strip, bath, nails, ears) every 8-12 weeks, or $0-$500/year if you learn to strip the coat at home
$1,500-$3,000/year
all-in (food, routine vet, grooming, insurance, incidentals)
Health Risks
Conditions this breed is prone to.
The heart's mitral valve thickens and leaks with age, and it is one of the most significant conditions in the breed. A vet often hears it first as a murmur; there is no DNA test, so breeders rely on cardiac exams of the parents, and medication can manage heart failure for years once it develops.
Surprisingly common for such a small dog - Norfolks rank high in OFA hip data. Many cope well at this weight, but some develop arthritis or need surgery. Ask for hip scores on both parents.
The kneecap slips out of its groove, causing a skipping gait. Mild cases need only monitoring; severe ones need surgery. Parents should have patella evaluations.
A full set of terrier teeth in a small jaw leads to crowding, tartar and gum disease. Daily brushing and periodic cleanings under anesthesia keep teeth in the mouth.
Cataracts and other inherited eye problems appear in the breed. An annual exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) is part of the club's recommended screening.
Norfolks tend to have small litters and a high rate of cesarean deliveries. This matters to breeders more than owners, but it is one reason puppies are scarce.
Insurance & Health Coverage
Insure early. Mitral valve disease is the claim to plan for: it usually appears in middle age, and once a murmur is on the record it becomes a pre-existing condition that no new policy will cover. Cardiac medication and monitoring run for years, so check that a policy's annual limit covers ongoing treatment.
Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation can both end in orthopedic surgery costing thousands. Some insurers apply waiting periods or bilateral exclusions to joint conditions, so read those clauses before choosing a policy.
Dental cleanings are routine in this breed and many policies exclude them, or cover only accident-related dental work. A long life also means many years of premiums - weigh that against the likely heart costs.
Get a Pet Insurance Quote
Care needs
The Daily Routine
Grooming
A hard, wiry coat that sheds lightly and needs a weekly brush and comb. To keep the correct texture, the coat is hand-stripped a few times a year - clipping softens and fades it. Trim nails regularly and brush teeth daily.
Exercise
Two good walks a day plus play, around 45 minutes to an hour in total. Norfolks enjoy longer hikes and keep up well for their size, but exercise belongs on a leash or inside a secure fence because of the prey drive.
Food & Weight
Small, sturdy and food-motivated, which makes weight gain easy - and extra weight is hard on hips and knees. Measure meals, count training treats as part of the daily ration and keep them lean enough that the ribs are easy to feel.
Similar breeds
If This Isn’t Quite the One
Norwich Terrier
The prick-eared sister breed, shown as the same breed until 1979, so the size, coat and cheerful temperament are nearly identical. The Norwich is shorter in the back with ears carried upright, and the health concern to ask about is the airway rather than the heart.
Border Terrier
Another hardy, friendly working terrier with a hand-stripped coat. The Border is taller, leggier and more of an athlete; the Norfolk is shorter, stockier and more of a lap-sized companion.
Cairn Terrier
A close match in size and scrappy charm. Cairns are prick-eared, a little heavier and often more vocal; Norfolks tend to be more sociable with other dogs.
Lucas Terrier
A rare British terrier built partly from Norfolk Terriers, so the calm, sociable temperament overlaps. The Lucas is longer in the body and even harder to find.