By :
Brent McCoy
The Norfolk Terrier is a small but sturdy terrier breed that is closely related to the Norwich Terrier - having been considered the same breed at one stage - and features short ears that hang closely by the head with a wiry red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle coat that sheds almost no hair. The breed can be traced back to the early 1900s, and was initially bred for the chief reason of hunting rats.A number of their most distinguishing features can include bold and feisty manner, occasional stubbornness, love for children and their hypoallergenic coat - which help make the Norfolk Terrier a regular preference for more patient owners or families as well as people suffering from allergies. During their early history the Norfolk Terrier was considered to be a drop-eared variety of the Norwich Terrier and both were considered the same breed before being separated by breeders in the 1930s. Both breeds were created in England and the Norfolk Terrier was mainly chosen with the goal of hunting rats. They areassumed to be the result of crossing local and Irish terrier breeds.Norfolk Terriers are classed as a small-sized breed. The suggested standard size for the Norfolk Terrier male is 9-10 inches tall from paw to shoulder and a weight of 11-12 pounds.The Norfolk Terrier is legendary for their bold, loyal, feisty and often stubborn personality. They are generally friendlier than most terriers with people they don't know, which often means they are unsuitable as a guard dog.The Norfolk Terrier is also demonstrated to be fairly intelligent - placing equal 56th in comparison with other dogs in terms of their ability to be taught obedience commands. They are additionally famous to be good with children when raised with them - which means they are quite suitable as a family pet. The Norfolk Terrier is usually well-matched with other dogs and cats that they're raised with though may not get along with smaller animals like hamsters, mice or birds due to their natural prey instinct.The Norfolk Terrier doesn't always need a yard to play in, so they can be quite suitable for apartment life provided they are walked on a regular basis.The Norfolk Terrier takes pleasure in endeavors including chasing after a ball or simply running around the yard. They have a high quantity of energy and have a need for exercise every day in the form of moderate walks or short jogs to stop behavioral habits like excessive barking or digging that they may be more inclined to start when left alone or with a lot of energy.The Norfolk Terrier can be the perfect dog breed for an active owner or family and their non-shedding coat makes them one of the most popular breeds for allergy sufferers. They are well-suited to anybody that is able to perform a small amount of grooming and take time to provide them with patient housebreaking and positive obedience training as well as take them for moderate walks every day while being kept on the lead and grant a very high sum of companionship and attention. Though they may be fairly unsuitable around smaller animals and as a consequence for being safely let off the lead while out in public, if you are capable of meeting their demand for regular loving care and patience while training them then the Norfolk Terrier may possibly make the perfect dog breed for you.