Apartment fit
The Norfolk Terrier can fit apartment life well if daily walks and barking management are consistent.
TerrierSmallGreat Britain
Norfolk Terrier
Weight
11-12 lb
Height
9-10 in
Lifespan
12-16 yrs
Coat
Wiry Medium
The Norfolk Terrier is a small British terrier with drop ears, a wiry weather-resistant coat, and a bold but companionable temperament.
Small British drop-eared terrierWiry weather-resistant coatClose relative of the Norwich TerrierBold, lively, and affectionate
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Norfolk
BoldAffectionateLivelyGameAlertCompanionable
Weight
11-12 lb
Height
9-10 in
Lifespan
12-16 yrs
Coat
Wiry Medium
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Low
Grooming
3/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Norfolk Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers, developed in Britain for vermin control and companionship. It is closely related to the Norwich Terrier, but the Norfolk has folded drop ears while the Norwich has prick ears.
Adults are small, around 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder and about 11 to 12 pounds. The coat is hard, wiry, straight, and weather-resistant, with colors including red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle. Show coats usually need hand-stripping to keep the correct texture.
Norfolks are lively, affectionate, and game little dogs. They can do well in apartments, but terrier instincts still matter: digging, chasing, barking, and confident behavior around larger dogs need management. They fit owners who want a sturdy small dog with real personality, not a fragile lap ornament.
Temperament & Personality
BoldAffectionateLivelyGameAlertCompanionable
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a bold, affectionate, lively companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Wiry
Coat length
Medium
Shedding
Low
Colors
Red, Wheaten, Black and Tan, Grizzle
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs3/5
Good with Strangers4/5
Apartment Friendly4/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- A home-friendly apartment match
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- low shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- owners wanting a sturdy small terrier
- apartments with barking management
- families with respectful children
- people who enjoy lively training and play
Not ideal for
- owners wanting no prey drive
- homes with rough handling by young children
- people unwilling to maintain a wiry coat
- unfenced areas where chasing is unsafe
Common challenges
- digging
- chasing small animals
- alert barking
- overconfidence with bigger dogs
Barking & behavior
Expect alert terrier behavior. Reward quiet check-ins and give legal outlets for digging and chasing games.
Training style
Keep training short, fun, and consistent. Terriers respond best when rewards are meaningful and rules are clear.
Grooming & shedding
The coat sheds little but needs brushing and periodic stripping or skilled grooming to keep its hard texture.
Care Guide
Exercise
Norfolk Terriers need daily walks, play, and terrier-style enrichment such as digging boxes, scent games, or training. Most adults do well with 45 to 60 minutes of activity.
Grooming
Brush weekly and plan hand-stripping or skilled grooming if maintaining the wiry coat texture. Trim nails and check teeth because small terriers often need dental attention.
Training
Use upbeat rewards, short sessions, and clear rules. Teach recall, leave-it, polite dog greetings, and quiet cues early.
Nutrition
Feed measured meals for a small active dog. Keep the dog lean because extra weight affects joints and mobility.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
4/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Patellar luxationDental diseaseMitral valve diseaseHip dysplasiaEye disorders
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Norfolk Terrier and a Norwich Terrier?
The Norfolk Terrier has folded drop ears, while the Norwich Terrier has upright prick ears. They are otherwise closely related small terriers.
Is the Norfolk Terrier a small dog?
Yes. It is usually about 9 to 10 inches tall and around 11 to 12 pounds.
Can a Norfolk Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, many can live well in apartments if barking, exercise, and terrier instincts are managed.
Does the Norfolk Terrier shed?
It is a low-shedding breed, but the wiry coat needs brushing and may need hand-stripping to keep proper texture.
Is the Norfolk Terrier good with children?
It can be good with respectful children, but supervision is needed because small dogs can be injured by rough handling.
Does the Norfolk Terrier bark a lot?
It can alert bark like many terriers. Teach quiet cues early and manage window or yard triggers.
What is the biggest challenge of owning a Norfolk Terrier?
The biggest challenge is managing big terrier confidence in a small body: barking, chasing, digging, and safe interactions with larger dogs.
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