There was a time in England when the Norfolk Terrier was regarded as a variation of the Norwich Terrier, both being known as Norwich Terriers since puppies with drop and prick ears could be born in the same litter. Around the 1930s, breeding the two together resulted in puppies with ears that were neither the drop ears of the Norfolk, nor the prick ears of the Norwich, and so unappealing were these new ears to breeders that it was decided not to do that again.
The two ear types were kept apart, and in 1957, breeders came to a consensus that it was silly to keep competing against each other at dog shows, and that the two ear types should be treated as separate breeds. The Kennel Club (the UK’s counterpart to our AKC) didn’t agree; they felt that ear carriage was too trivial an aspect to warrant separate breed status and refused the proposal. Breeders persevered, however, and seven years later, the Kennel Club officially recognized the Norfolk Terrier as a separate breed. Canadian and American Kennel Clubs followed suit in 1979.
There are other differences between the two breeds beyond ears. The Norfolk has a slightly longer back, longer neck, slightly bigger feet, and may weigh a bit more for its size. The Norwich may have a slightly harder coat, have a ruff to frame her face, and (we love this next bit), some claim that Norfolks wag their tails, while the movement of a Norwich tail wag resembles more of a quiver. We leave it to the breed experts to confirm or refute tail calibration.
“Favourite Chair” by Steven Nesbitt
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I remember the AKC change very well as my friend’s litter was born in its midst. Was it a litter of Norwich or Norfolk? A mixed breed litter? on the date of whelping? on the date of registration? How old must they be to determine if the ears will stay prick or drop? We had a lot of laughs and, frankly, I don’t remember how it turned out.
You raise some really interesting questions, Sarah, that many of us may not have considered as having been issues, but you’re right! When DID one decide if those ears were drops or pricks? Glad it all worked out!