Any info on a Norfolk Terrier?

Question

Hi...does anyone own or know anyone that has a Norfolk Terrier? I really love the terrier breed and after some research it looks as though the norfolk is the calmest of the terriers. My husband and I are going to start a family soon and we want a dog that is good with allergies and great with children. I used to have a Silky Terrier (lived 14.5 years) who I absolutely loved with all my heart but he was a little fresh. I never had an allergy to the Silky yet I have had allergies to other dogs (bichon and poodle)..go figure. So if anyone has info on the norfolk terrier, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks:)

Answer 1

Norfolks have different coats than Silkys. If you have allergies check into your reaction to the dander on the wire coated breeds your reaction may be different than it was with the Silky. Have you checked out the Norfolk parent club site? I'll put it bellow.

Answer 2

All terriers are a little "fresh", as you say. Nobody can tell if you're going to be allergic to a particular breed. Have you checked the American Kennel Club website for information?

http://www.akc.org/breeds/breeds_a.cfm

In general, I think it would be best to wait until you have a child (if you're fairly sure you're going to have one quite soon.) before getting a dog. Sometimes a dog will see a new baby as an intruder on its territory---better if the baby belongs there first, and then get the puppy. Once it's established with one child, it shouldn't have a problem with another one if you decide to have more children.

Answer 3

I got you a link that I didn't see on here posted below...One thing to keep in mind that all terriers like to bark and dig, and they wll almost dig a hole to china if left outside unattended for long periods of time. And they are difficult to housebreak, since they have such small bladders, they need to go out often, and may not be sutable for people whom work all day and are going to be gone for long periods of time. A very common mistake made by people whom impulsively get a small dog, based on the cutness factor, and not having to feed it much. And those are the ones who always end up severely matted and have to end up being shaved. I am sure you are familar with this having owned a Silky Terrier for so many years. I also included a list for you of Hypo-Allegenic Dogs. Before reading through my list of hypo allergenic dogs, please keep in mind that all dogs carry small amounts of allergens or can pick up allergens from outside in their fur and further, each specific dog within a breed may cause different allergic responses. To keep the allergy risk low you should bath and groom as frequently as your breeder suggests. (Bathing some dogs too often will remove oils from their coat, causing their skin to flake and potentially cause allergies) If your family is especially sensitive to a pet’s dander you should be careful about having your pet groomed in the vicinity of other breeds, or should request specifically that the dog be rinsed after he is clipped. (Most groomers bathe and then clip to keep the oils from the dogs skin out of their clippers)

Below is the list of Hypo Allergenic dogs. If you are looking for a Hypo Allergenic dog to bring into a home with family members with allergies any of these dogs may be a match for your home. No dog is 100% Hypo Allergenic, but most people allergic to dogs react different ways to different breeds. Even if your allergic family member has a reaction to a particular breed of dog the breeder claims is hypo allergenic that family member may be fine with other breeds deemed Hypo Allergenic.

The following is a list of dog breeds generally considered to be Hypo Allergenic:

American Hairless Terrier
Airedale Terrier
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Chinese Crested (hairless)
Havanese
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Miniature Schnauzer
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Shih-Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Spanish Water Dog
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Poodle
West Highland White Terrier
Wirehaired Fox Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier

As you can see, some of the dogs you mentioned appear on this list. I am glad you are researching breeds before you are buying. Its a very wise decision, and you and your family will be much happier, and the dog will have a good, fair life in his new forever home. Good Luck! :)