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ToyTerrier Group

Norfolk Terrier

The Norfolk Terrier is the drop-eared Norfolk-bred counterpart to the prick-eared Norwich Terrier, separated into two AKC breeds in 1979.

Calculate Norfolk Terrier age
Lifespan13.5 yrrange 13–14
SizeToyTerrier Group
Weight11–12 lb5–5.4 kg
Senior at9 yrgeriatric at 13

Gallery (3)

About

About the Norfolk Terrier

The Norfolk Terrier is the drop-eared Norfolk-bred counterpart to the prick-eared Norwich Terrier, separated into two AKC breeds in 1979. Both share working ratter ancestry from East Anglia from the 1880s onward.

Aging

How Norfolk Terriers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 13.5 years (n=1,202). Mitral valve disease is the defining late-life cardiac concern — typical onset after age 8 — with hip dysplasia and primary lens luxation as the secondary inherited concerns tracked on OFA screens.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.5 yr · range 13–14Senior careSenior at 9 · geriatric at 13Common health issues4 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
11–12 lb(5–5.4 kg)
Height
9–10 in(22.9–25.4 cm)
Coat type
Wire
Colors
Black & TanGrizzleRedRed WheatenBrownWheaten
Temperament

Temperament

How Norfolk Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

fearlessloyalcompanionablealert
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~1 yr

    Congenital Cardiac Defect

    Description and veterinary guidance for Congenital Cardiac Defect land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~6 yr

    Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram)

    Description and veterinary guidance for Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram) land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Norfolk Terrier physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.