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Discover the history, traits, and legacy of the Norfolk Terrier – from ratters at Cambridge to beloved family companions.
Barbara Miller
This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, August 2013 issue.
The Norfolk and Norwich terriers were once one breed; the Norwich Terrier prick ear and the Norwich Terrier drop ear. It wasn’t until January 1979 that the breeds earned the right to become two; the Norfolk Terrier and the Norwich Terrier. Until the 1930s the prick and drop ear were interbred. The Norfolk Terrier came from simple beginnings and now are considered a force in the Terrier group ring on either side of the big pond. Tis game and hardy little fellow with expressive drop ears, ten inches at the withers weighing about 12 to 14 pounds thinks of itself as a giant canine with a heart of gold. The Norfolk is the smallest of the working terriers. It is active and compact, free moving, with good bone and substance. The coat is weather resistant and its short legs make it a perfect demon in the field. Tis little guy is a bundle of energy and fts right at home in the busy family household. There’s a tendency in today’s fast moving world to think of “Now” and forgetting “When.” As custodians of our breed we surely must give some time and effort to remembering the past because it is only then as breeders we can move into the future.
The background for our little breed began in the 1880s in England with a man named “Doggy” Lawrence who produced a small terrier breeding a Yorkshire to an Irish terrier. His cleaver little dogs were sold mainly to the students at Cambridge University to clear out the vermin in the dormitories. His dogs were referred to as “Cantab Terriers” one of which, a red, was bred to a Scottish type terrier owned by Jodrell Hopkins in 1900. As a graduate of Cambridge he wanted a small dog for his livery stable on Trumpington Street to keep the rats at bay. Fortunately, Rags, a red coated male and Nell a female with a dark coat was the results of this breeding. Both had prick ears and Hopkins labeled them “Trumpington Terriers.”
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In 1901 Frank Jones better known “Roughrider” who worked for Jack Cooke, master of a pack of staghounds, bred his small red terriers that he brought to England with him from Ireland to “Rags.” All resulting whelps had pricks ears. A few years later, Podge Low owned a little bitch that he named “Ninety” with most probably a bit of Dandie Dinmont in her background, pure white with fly away ears and leggy to boot was sold to a graduate of Cambridge, Richard Hoare. He bred her to Rags and the drop ear was born. It wasn’t until 1932 that Biffin of Beaufin was born and became the breed’s first champion in 1935 in England.
England recognized the breed as Norwich prick and drop ear in 1932. Gordon Massey of Maryland imported the first drop ear champion in 1936, Witherslack Sport; that same year the AKC recognized the breed in our country. Both the drop and prick were exhibited as one breed until January 1979 in our country. Having two breeds stand alone in the ring brought out the qualities of each. The Norfolk Terrier began to shine as they were no longer in the shadow of the prick ear. We learned quickly that the Norfolk required a bit more than tidying as we all got accustomed to using trimming knives; some more skilled at it than others. A glowing coat and one free of dead hair adds to the Norfolk’s health and well being. Stripping out these dead hairs hastens the growth of the new coat. A good Norfolk coat is weather resistant and in most instances red yet black and tan and grizzle are acceptable colors.
The coat is harsh, never soft and fluffy. Norfolks are alert and most often responsive to their handlers when in the show ring. Norfolk have never lost the spirit of going to ground and today there are many trials open to the breed for competition. Yearly more Norfolk owners are taking part in this performance activity earning titles in this area of our sport. Agility is another endeavor the Norfolk and his owner enjoys. Tis breed is the perfect family pet for the city or country. If not being exhibited brushing and combing a few times a week are sufficient to maintain the coat. The Norfolk breed is easily trainable and always willing to learn if the owner puts in the time required to teach the young pup commands. Some in the breed are training their Norfolk for Canine Good Citizen whereby owner and Norfolk can go to nursing homes and hospitals to help ease the pain of the elderly or those who are ill.
Tis breed is willing to please its owner and for the most part is non quarrelsome still it is wise to introduce the Norfolk to other dogs in a neutral area. As a family companion they rank high on anyone’s list requiring low maintenance but requiring the attention of family and friends. Fortunately in January 2009 we earned the right to become our own club, the Norfolk Terrier Club serving our membership well. As a young organization we have thrived continuing to have a yearly fun weekend combined with our Match show. We recognize our membership with medallions, club pins, and trophies for the efforts they put into making our little breed, the guys at the end of the terrier line, outstanding terriers in the field, show ring or as the family companion. We owe our forefathers a great deal of thanks for their fortitude in seeing to it this breed was developed with the skill they brought with them as breeders.
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