Norwich terrier is a smart and loyal 'best friend'
There are some dogs that steal your heart and you just want to bring home.
The fun of being a dog judge is that I get to see great canines, but I don’t have to feed them or pay their veterinary bills. As a pet columnist for more than two decades, I have also encountered some impressive dogs, and recently was introduced to one charming little terrier that I hoped his owner would place on the backseat of my car before I drove off.
Meet Reggie, a dapper little Norwich terrier lovingly owned by Ray and Linda Prevost of Somerset. Like a stately British aristocrat, this delightful vermin hunter has plenty of charm, an engaging personality and a quirky sense of humor that never fails to make people laugh.
“I wanted a dog to be my best friend,” begins Ray, a well-known local contractor who readily admits that after owning Reggie for seven years, he wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another Norwich, a breed known for its keen intelligence and loyalty.
After conducting some Internet research and meeting a few Norwich at a dog show, the Prevosts fell in love with the breed of English origin and liked the Norwich’s compact size. They also thought that Reggie would be a perfect companion for their other dog, an equally charming cairn terrier named Lucy.
Ray credits Reggie’s breeder, Susan Brown Leger, owner of Synerwich Norwich Terriers in East Falmouth, for being a responsible breeder who is always eager to answer questions, impart knowledge and share her passion for these enthusiastic canines that were bred to hunt small vermin and rodents on English farms and estates.
“Reggie is an extremely close dog,” adds Linda. “He latches on to Ray.”
Another factor that led to Reggie’s purchase is that the Norwich seldom shed and have little dander, a plus for folks like Ray who suffer from allergies.
“The Norwich was absolutely the perfect breed for us,” Linda says.
From the time Reggie arrived as a ten-week old puppy, he has never left Ray’s side, so the proud owner got his wish to have a canine best friend. The loyal terrier sits and watches Ray for hours as the contractor toils in his workshop, and perched on a chair, often waits diligently for his master’s truck to appear in the driveway.
Some days, Reggie gets to ride in the truck, a treat that gives both the owner and his dog a great deal of pleasure.
“He’s a very happy dog,” Ray says, beaming.
According to breed historians, the Norwich was developed in its native land in the late nineteenth century by crossing local terrier stock with Yorkshire terriers. In 1964 England recognized the drop-ear Norwich as a separate breed, terming them the Norfolk terrier. The AKC took the same step effective January 1, 1979. The recognition of the two varieties as separate breeds is now the rule in all English-speaking countries and in Europe and Scandinavia.
In addition to a different ear set, the Norfolk also has a longer body and tends to be more vocal.
Since the prick-eared Norwich whelp small litters, usually giving birth to just one or two puppies, there is a huge demand for these lovable canines and most breeders have a long waiting list. These dogs are expensive, with pet quality puppies selling for $2500 or more.
Norwich terriers require regular brushing, and must be hand stripped every two months by a professional groomer or terrier expert who understands how to maintain a hard, crisp coat characteristic of Scotties, Sealyhams, Welsh and other breeds.
Linda notes that Reggie occasionally suffers from gingivitis, which develops when bacteria builds up between the teeth and gums, leading to irritation, inflammation and bleeding. Reggie’s teeth are cleaned twice per year by a veterinarian, and Ray brushes the dog’s teeth with high quality canine toothpaste every other day.
Although Reggie is active, Linda says the handsome dog could lose a pound or two.
“He’s a real chowhound,” she tells. “He loves food.”
Both owners emphasize that Norwich, like all dogs, require socialization. Reggie completed basic puppy training and participated in a puppy playgroup.
‘He’s very good with other dogs,” Linda says.
Reggie is also very intelligent, and can open the patio door using his thick paws when he wants to come indoors.
When the Prevosts are at work, both dogs are kept in a separate room where they have access to fresh water and comfortable chairs where they rest. The canines are monitored by a camera, which is connected to Ray’s cell phone, so the owner can constantly keep an eye on the two terriers.
“They also like country music,” Ray says, laughing, adding that the two terriers indeed enjoy a very good life.
Swansea resident Brian J. Lowney has been writing about pets for more than 20 years. He is a past president of the Wampanoag Kennel Club, an active dog show judge.
