Norwich Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Lancaster, OH

Norwich Terriers shed only lightly when their coat is kept properly. Their harsh, wiry outer coat and soft undercoat hold dead hair rather than dropping it all over the house, which is why the coat is hand-stripped to remove it. An unstripped or clipped coat may shed a bit more. Weekly combing catches loose hair between grooming sessions.

To hand strip a Norwich Terrier, you pull out the loose, dead outer hairs with your fingers or a dull stripping knife, working a small section at a time in the direction the hair grows. Ready hair comes out easily and shouldn't hurt. Many owners strip lightly every few weeks to keep the coat rolling, and a groomer experienced with terriers can teach the technique.

Grooming a Norwich Terrier means combing through the coat weekly, hand-stripping the dead outer hair every few months, and tidying the feet, ears and tail. Nails need trimming every few weeks, and teeth benefit from regular brushing because small breeds are prone to dental disease. Many owners use a professional groomer experienced with hand-stripping terriers.

Trimming a Norwich Terrier should be kept minimal; the breed is meant to look natural rather than sculpted. Use scissors to tidy hair around the feet and pads, around the tail and under the body, and thin straggly hairs on the ears. Clippers are an option for older or busy households, but they soften the coat's texture and fade its color.

No, Norwich Terriers are not hypoallergenic, since no dog breed is free of allergens. Their wiry coat sheds little when stripped, which some people with mild allergies find easier, but dander and saliva still carry allergens. Spending time with the specific dog, keeping it out of bedrooms and grooming regularly can help, though reactions differ from person to person.

A Norwich Terrier is a small, stocky dog with short legs, a broad, slightly rounded head, a foxy expression and pointed, upright ears. Its hard, wiry coat forms a mane around the neck and shoulders, with short, smooth hair on the head. Colors include all shades of red, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle, with white markings undesirable.

A Norwich Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers, developed in East Anglia, England, to catch rats and other vermin. It stands about 10 inches tall, has prick ears and a wiry coat, and belongs to the AKC Terrier Group. Its cousin, the Norfolk Terrier, has folded ears. Norwich are known for being fearless, cheerful and affectionate.

A Norwich Terrier's coat is not soft; the outer coat is meant to feel hard and wiry, like a natural weatherproof jacket. Underneath is a softer, insulating undercoat, and the hair on the head and ears is short and smooth. Coats that are clipped instead of hand-stripped tend to grow in softer and fluffier, which many pet owners don't mind.

No, Norwich Terriers are not bird dogs. They were bred to hunt rats, rabbits and other small vermin, sometimes following prey underground. That strong prey drive means many will still chase birds, squirrels and anything else that moves quickly, so outdoor time works best on leash or in fenced areas, and pet birds need careful supervision.

We have 1 rescue with Norwich Terriers available: Fairfield County Dog Shelter. You can see every rescue with Norwich Terriers available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Norwich Terriers near Lancaster.