Norfolk Terrier

Norfolk Terriers are usually moderately active dogs who need regular exercise and stimulation to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they need training and benefit from daily enrichment.

If you enjoy regular time outdoors, this breed could be a great match for you.

Norfolk Terriers need training like any other dog, as well as daily enrichment. When exercising your Norfolk Terrier, think about their:

• age
• health
• personality.

Young, growing dogs may need a few shorter walks. Whereas older, ill or injured pooches may need an exercise plan tailored by your vet. Some may need quiet, calm walks while others benefit from more sociable strolls.

Check with your vet for advice on exercising your dog.

Different Norfolk Terriers need different amounts of food depending on their:

• age
• size
• activity levels
• fitness
• weight.

Dog food packets can serve as a useful guide, but you need to take your dog’s individual needs into account.

Knowing your dog’s body condition also helps you decide on how much food to give them. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WVASA) can provide more information on body condition scoring.

Speak to your vet if there’s anything you’re unsure of, or for more expert advice.

Norfolk Terriers shed very little. To put your dog at ease and help their confidence, introduce handling and grooming step by step. This will make grooming more enjoyable for everyone and ensure a positive experience for your pup.

In their crate, your dog should be able to comfortably:

• sit and stand at their full height
• turn around without touching the edges
• lie down at full stretch
• wag their tail.

Gradually build up the time your dog spends in their crate, so they feel good about it and associate it with positive things happening.

Before giving a Norfolk Terrier a forever home, consider any possible health issues. Not every dog experiences them, but it’s important to be prepared.

For more advice on potential health issues for Norfolk Terriers, speak to your local vet. Some practices offer ‘pre-purchase consultations.’ These tell you about potential health conditions, management options and an idea of financial costs.

If you’re considering buying a puppy, they can advise you on finding a responsible breeder and testing for genetic diseases.

Any breed of dog needs basic preventative healthcare like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. Pet insurance is also important to help cover your vet bills.

Any dog can be taught new tricks, whatever their breed. It’s all about positive learning. Find out what motivates your dog, whether that’s treats, toys or praise. You can use this as a reward throughout training to make it a positive experience for everyone.

They also need some useful life skills like recall, loose lead walking and settling. This ensures that you and your pup can both feel relaxed spending time together out and about or at home

Like us, every furball has their own unique personality shaped by their experiences. This means that different Norfolk Terriers have varying temperaments.

As dogs grow, they learn all about the world. They figure out their likes and dislikes and learn to respond to situations in different ways.

Some doggos, for example, might like meeting new dogs and new experiences. Others might not, or might prefer human company

Every dog has a different personality shaped by their life experiences. They develop likes and dislikes as they grow, and react differently to situations.

However, some ways of respecting and behaving safely around dogs are universal to all pooches.

This is an important skill for the whole family – children and adults. Why not book one of our educational workshops?