Norwich terrier (Dog standard)

Norwich terrier is one of the smallest of the terriers. lovable disposition, not quarrelsome, tremendously active with hardy constitution. gay and fearless.

FCI-Standard N° 72 / 02.02.1998/ GB

NORWICH TERRIER

ORIGIN : Great Britain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 24.06.1987.

UTILIZATION : Terrier.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 3 Terriers.
Section 2 Small-SIZEd Terriers.
Without working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Small, low, keen dog, compact and strong with good substance and bone. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear not to be unduly penalised.

BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT : One of the smallest of the terriers. Lovable disposition, not quarrelsome, tremendously active with hardy constitution. Gay and fearless.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Slightly rounded, wide, good width between ears.
Stop : Well defined.

FACIAL REGION :
Muzzle : Wedge-shaped and strong (length about one third less than measurement from occiput to bottom of stop.)
Lips : Tight-lipped.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws clean and strong. Rather large, strong teeth with perfect, regular scissor bite, i. e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes : Small, oval-shaped, dark, full of expression, bright and keen.
Ears : Erect, set well apart on top of skull. Medium SIZE with pointed tips. Perfectly erect when aroused, can be laid back when not at attention.

NECK : Strong of good length, commensurate with correct overall balance, flowing into well laid shoulders.

BODY :
Back : Short, compact. Topline level.
Loin : Short.
Chest : Ribcage long and well sprung. With good depth.

TAIL : Docking optional.
a) Medium docked. Set on high, completing perfectly level topline. Carried erect.
b) TAIL of moderate length to give a general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tips, as straight as possible. Carried jauntily, not excessively gay, completing perfectly level topline.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Legs short, powerful and straight.
Elbows : Close to BODY.
Pastern : Firm and upright.

HINDQUARTERS : Broad, strong and muscular.
Stifle : Well turned.
Hocks : Low-set, with great propulsion.

FEET : Rounded, well padded and cat-like. Pointing straight forward standing and moving.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Forelegs should move straight forward when travelling ; hind legs follow in their track ; hocks parallel and flexing to show pads.

COAT

HAIR : Hard, wiry, straight, lying close to BODY, thick underCOAT. Longer and rougher on NECK forming a ruff to frame face.
HAIR on HEAD and ears short and smooth, except for slight whiskers and eyebrows.

COLOUR : All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle. White marks or patches are undesirable.

SIZE :
Ideal height at the withers : 25-26 cm (10 ins).

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Source: FCI >>>