From “Illustrated Guide to the Standard of Norwich Terriers” The Norwich Club of America, © 2013. Used with permission.
small and ideally he stands on well-arched toes pointed forward with thick pads. I feel the neck and shoulder placement with my hands. While he should have good lay- back, because he has short legs and is sup- pose to have good spring of rib, the chest will have some width. Also, I check the topline and tailset with my hands because clever grooming can cover up rolls and topline dips. Th e o ffi cial standard describes the traits of the ideal Norwich. Some details are very specific, but I believe that exces- sive focus on details tends to result in fault judging. Fault judging is less pro- ductive when evaluating breeding stock. I first look for correct Norwich type and expression and forgive small faults (such as a slightly gay tail, missing tooth, even a softer coat). Th e judge who understands the more subtle qualities prized in a Nor- wich will not reward a dog who is simply sound and lacks breed type. While I believe that the dog show com- petition should focus on conformation, showmanship in the ring is important to the extent that it displays the dog’s tem- perament. Show-ring presence reveals the
dog’s attitude. In the ring, the Norwich look best left alone to stack themselves. Some judges will spar Norwich. I don’t mind the judge who brings them to the center to stand on their own, but they are pack dogs and should not be sparred nose to nose. You don’t want a Norwich show- ing aggression. Also, when judging Nor- wich, do not favor one color over another. Coat color is least important. All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle are equally acceptable colors. Th e coat texture is to be hard, wiry and straight. It is a nearly weatherproof, double coat that should blend and appear as one piece on the body. Th e trim should be neat and not overly shaped. Th e coat should be healthy and not open or blown. Th e Norwich standard has remained relatively unchanged since the first Eng- lish standard in 1932. It is my hope that the attributes that so endeared the found- ing Norwich breeders will continue to be upheld. To this end, members of the Norwich Terrier Club of America recent- ly published the first Illustrated Guide to the Standard of Norwich Terriers , for Norwich breeders, owners, exhibitors
and judges. Copies are available for $10 plus $2.50 postage. To order, please con- tact Patty Warrender, Notions Chair, at pwnoridge@gmail.com. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Schubart is a member of the Norwich Terrier Club of America (currently 2 nd Vice-President and Chair of the Illustrated Stan- dard Commit-
tee). She is a parent club approved AKC Ring- side Mentor for Norwich Terriers, the AKC Breed Columnist for the Norwich Terrier and (with Alison Freehling) author of the Norwich Terrier chapter for Th e AKC Complete Dog Book (21 st Edition), released in August 2014. She is also a member of the Norwich Terrier Club, England (NTC). Jane and her husband have loved, owned and bred Norwich for 15 years under the prefix ASCOT. Th ey live in Pennsylvania.
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