With that Teddy Bear face and fluffy body, the Norfolk Terrier is an easy dog to love.
But how much is he?
The Norfolk Terrier price range is a hefty one, ranging anywhere from $3,500 to upwards of $6,500.
Of course, that's if you go the route of a breeder and for high-quality pedigree. However, if you go adoption, shelters and rescue organizations you can expect much more affordable prices, typically less than $500.
Before you stress over how you’ll pay that much for the breed of your dreams, you should make sure he really is the breed of your dreams first.
To do this, you need to get to know the breed’s temperament, among other things that will help you make a more informed decision.
The Norfolk Terrier, Up Close
Getting to know a breed’s history is helpful because you can understand what makes today’s version of the breed “tick”.
Right away, when you see the word “Terrier” in a breed’s name, you should assume he has a hunting background.
For instance, breeders initially created Norfolk Terriers to hunt rats and foxes, among other pests.
While small, they don’t really have it in them to act as lap dogs. They’d much rather go out hunting!
This also means you should think twice about having any other pets that the Norfolk Terrier might want to hunt, like cats or hamsters.
Norfolk Terrier Temperament and Personality
It’s a good idea to get to know a breed’s temperament because this is everything when it comes to owning a dog.
He Can Act Stubborn
Back in the day, owners expected Norfolk Terriers to take the reins in order to act as good hunting dogs. They preferred the Norfolk to act independently without relying on human guidance.
This trait is still alive and well in them today in that they don’t do well with taking commands from you.
He is rather clever, though, so when he wants to listen to you, he should learn rather quickly. It’s getting him to listen sometimes that’s the hard part!
He is Active
If you’re looking for a good lap dog for Grandma, the Norfolk Terrier is not a great idea.
This is an active breed that requires a lot of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day to feel satisfied.
For this reason, he actually makes a better companion for children than older folks, so long as you socialize him properly while he’s still young.
He is Curious
The Norfolk loves to sniff out new things, whether they’re people, locations, or things.
And he’s not shy about it either – if he’s curious, he’ll come right up to you and give you a sniff!
He is Iffy with Other Dogs
If you socialize your Norfolk young enough and often enough, he can learn to appreciate other dogs.
However, even so, depending on the dog, he may still become aggressive with other dogs.
Not so much getting into knock-down drag-out fights, but he may act scrappy with other dogs.
He is Loyal
One thing no one can deny the Norfolk Terrier is that he is a loyal and sensitive dog.
He forms a deep bond with his family and will do whatever he can to protect them.
Norfolk Terrier Size
An adult Norfolk Terrier grows to a maximum height of about 9 inches tall, and a maximum weight of 11 to 12 lbs.
This is a rather small breed, but if you are looking for something smaller or larger, it’s good to know this in advance.
One thing’s for sure – you certainly can’t tell how large a puppy is going to grow up to become if you don’t know much about the breed.
Norfolk Terrier Price – How Much Do Norfolk Terriers Cost?
As noted above, the Norfolk Terrier dog price is rather expensive.
You should expect the Norfolk Terrier average price to be anywhere from $3,500 to $6,500 or more.
And, of course, the purebred Norfolk Terrier price will always be higher if the dog has a purer bloodline than other comparable dogs.
You can also save money on the Norfolk Terrier puppy price by choosing to adopt or rescue a dog.
In fact, you can save thousands of dollars on a rescued or adopted dog – and give a home to a dog who might otherwise never have found one.
Demand
This breed is not incredibly popular, all things considered.
Out of the AKC’s 195 officially recognized breeds, the Norfolk Terrier comes in at spot #126 in terms of popularity.
This is both a good and a bad thing.
Because there’s not a large demand for the Norfolk, you may find it difficult to find one available for purchase.
However, demand is also not so great that you don’t have to worry about breeders jacking up the price of a Norfolk Terrier simply because they can get it.
Conversely, though, you may have a breeder try to convince you that he is rare and therefore costs more.
This is why it’s a good idea to have a rough idea of how much a particular breed costs to protect yourself from scammers.
Norfolk Terrier Rescue and Adoption
If the Norfolk Terrier dog price is too hefty for you, you may want to consider rescuing or adopting a dog instead.
There are several resources online where you can look up rescue or adoption organizations in your area. The Norfolk Terrier Club is one such resource.
It’s important to note that rescues often cost more than simply adopting a dog from your local shelter.
While local shelter adoptions tend to run about $150 each, rescue organizations usually charge around $450 to $500.
This is because rescue organizations typically consist of volunteers who put themselves out to take in a dog and make him ready for adoption.
The shelter cost, on the other hand, covers essential services like vaccinations and neutering.
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Norfolk Terrier Cost of Ownership
When you plan to bring a new dog into your life, you must plan for all aspects of owning that dog, from food and accessories to health care expenses.
Here are some of the additional costs you’ll need to consider before you agree to bring a Norfolk Terrier home.
Cost of Food
The cost of food for one of these dogs shouldn’t be too high.
Check with your vet for a more specific recommendation insofar as brand and quality, but you probably shouldn’t expect to spend more than $30 a month on dog food.
It’s perhaps cheaper to stock up by purchasing a larger bag.
But if the food will go stale before your dog can eat it all, then that may not be the best option.
Health Care Expenses
Of course, you can’t predict what is going to happen in life. And the same is true for your dog’s health.
However, you can get a good idea of what you’re in for by researching a particular breed ahead of time.
The good news is that the Norfolk Terrier does not typically experience any health conditions that are difficult to manage.
Some of the common problems among all dogs in this breed include:
- Heart Issues
- Eye Issues
- Patellar Luxation (Knee Issues)
While heart problems are definitely a concern, the other issues are rather manageable.
Still, you’ll need to consider additional vet visits and medication to help your dog cope with these issues, especially later in life.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Training Programs
Many folks feel comfortable training their dogs on their own.
However, the Norfolk Terrier is notoriously stubborn and independent.
Therefore, if you find you’re having difficulty getting him to listen to you, you may have no choice but to hire a professional for help.
The good news is that there is a slew of training programs out there for you to choose from.
You can have someone come to your house or bring your dog to a class.
You can opt for one-on-one lessons or involve him in a group session.
For the Norfolk, your best bet is to enroll him in a class, rather than one-on-one lessons.
That way he gets to interact more with other dogs and socialize, which is crucial to his overall development.
Plus, some places even offer you a discount if you sign up for a lesson package.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Grooming Costs
To groom a Norfolk Terrier properly, you’ll need to learn the art of hand-stripping.
If it’s too much work, or if you just can’t get the technique down, then you’ll need to engage a professional groomer to help.
You only have to do this a few times a year, though, so you don’t have to worry about paying a weekly fee.
Basic Care
You will need to plan more frequent groomer trips if your Norfolk doesn’t let you give him basic care.
For instance, if he’s bad about letting you brush his teeth or trim his nails, then you may need to hire a groomer to help.
With smaller dogs, it is especially important that you take good care of their teeth.
Smaller dogs tend to develop dental issues due to their teeth crowding their tiny mouths.
So, if your Norfolk won’t let you brush his teeth, this is something you should definitely consider hiring a groomer for.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.
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