Apartment fit
The Norwich Terrier can fit apartment life well when walks, enrichment, and barking management are consistent.
TerrierSmallGreat Britain
Norwich Terrier
Weight
11-12 lb
Height
9-10 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Wiry Medium
The Norwich Terrier is a small British terrier with prick ears, a wiry weather-resistant coat, and a bold, affectionate temperament.
Small British prick-eared terrierClose relative of the Norfolk TerrierWiry low-shedding coatBold and affectionate
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Norwich
AffectionateGameAlertBoldCheerfulCurious
Weight
11-12 lb
Height
9-10 in
Lifespan
12-15 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 Norwich Terrier is a small British working terrier bred for vermin control and companionship. It is closely related to the Norfolk Terrier, but the Norwich has upright prick ears while the Norfolk has folded drop ears.
Adults are small, usually about 10 inches at the shoulder and around 12 pounds. The coat is hard, wiry, straight, and weather-resistant, with standard colors including red, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle. Correct coat care often involves hand-stripping rather than simple clipping.
Norwich Terriers are cheerful, game, and affectionate, but they still carry terrier instincts. They can live in apartments when exercised and trained, yet owners should manage digging, chasing, barking, and confident behavior around larger dogs. This is a small dog with a serious working-dog attitude.
Temperament & Personality
AffectionateGameAlertBoldCheerfulCurious
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a affectionate, game, alert 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 appropriate outlets for digging and chasing games.
Training style
Keep training short, fun, and clear. Terriers respond best when rewards are meaningful and rules do not change every day.
Grooming & shedding
The coat sheds little but needs brushing and periodic stripping or skilled grooming to keep its hard texture.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Norwich Terriers need 45 to 60 minutes of daily walking, play, and terrier enrichment. Digging boxes, scent games, and training help keep them settled.
Grooming
Brush weekly and plan hand-stripping or skilled grooming to maintain the wiry coat. Keep nails, teeth, and ears on a regular schedule.
Training
Use upbeat rewards, short sessions, and consistent rules. Prioritize recall, leave-it, quiet cues, and calm behavior around larger dogs.
Nutrition
Feed measured small-dog meals and keep the Norwich lean; extra weight makes a small frame work harder.
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 diseaseUpper airway syndromeEye disordersHip dysplasia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Norwich Terrier and a Norfolk Terrier?
The Norwich Terrier has upright prick ears, while the Norfolk Terrier has folded drop ears.
Is the Norwich Terrier a small dog?
Yes. It is usually about 10 inches tall and around 12 pounds.
Can a Norwich Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, many can live well in apartments when barking, exercise, and terrier instincts are managed.
Does the Norwich Terrier shed?
It is low shedding, but the wiry coat still needs brushing and periodic hand-stripping or skilled grooming.
Is the Norwich Terrier good with children?
It can be good with respectful children, but supervision matters because small terriers can be injured by rough play.
Does the Norwich Terrier bark a lot?
It can alert bark. Quiet cues and managing window or yard triggers help.
What is the biggest challenge of owning a Norwich Terrier?
The biggest challenge is managing terrier confidence, prey drive, digging, and barking in a small package.
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