GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 25-26cm (10”).
Colour: Red, wheaten, black/tan or grizzle.
Coat: Harsh, wiry straight outercoat. Thick undercoat.
Gait: All legs moving straight with hind pads kicking up.
These two breeds are separately classified by their different ear carriages. The Norfolk have pendant ears while in the Norwich they are pricked. Skulls should be broad with wedge shaped muzzles one-third the length of the skull. The oval shaped eyes are dark with keen expressions. Both varieties require compact bodies with well sprung ribs, short straight backs and jauntily carried tails which may or may not be docked. Fore and hindlegs are powerful and the round feet must have thick pads.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
They are the smallest in the Terrier Group, weighing 4.5-5.5kg (10-12lb) however, in no way does this mean these little dogs should be thought of as Toy dogs. They enjoy a sporting life with plenty of outdoor activities and have no trouble living in the city if given regular exercise and walks. Although adaptable to the ways of humans, they do enjoy the company of other dogs. Coat care is minimal and regular grooming removes any dead hair. Sometimes they are trimmed for the show ring.
HISTORY
The origins of these breeds lie in East Anglia, England and they take their names from the county Norfolk and its main city Norwich. Both prick and drop eared varieties co-existed until 1964 when they were separated into two breeds. Presuming to have been bred from crosses of the old Border Terrier to some Irish breeds with a possible added blend of the shorter legged Glen of Imaal Terrier, these dogs were once known as Trumpington Terriers. In the past, they were very popular with Cambridge University students.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 45-51cm (18”-20”)
Colour: Red or orange. White allowable on tail tip, chest and head blaze.
Coat: Water repellent double coat. Smooth on face. Gait: Springy, jaunty gait. Single tracking at the trot.
The ‘Toller’ has a compact strong body with muscular quarters and webbed feet for swimming. Unlike many gundog breeds these dogs carry their tail erect when alerted. The wedge shaped head is surmounted by high set pendant ears. The colour of the nose matches the hair colour; skin colour matches the colour of the coat. Rear and fore angulation must balance and legs are straight with slightly sloping pasterns.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
To ‘toll’ means to lure and it was for this purpose these dogs were evolved to assist hunters. They would be encouraged to jump and play on the shoreline in the hope their actions would soon lure inquisitive ducks into the firing range of the hunters. On the domestic scene, they have been found to have wonderful temperaments, and being highly intelligent, they are easy to train. They have a thick double coat and need periodic brushing to remove the dead hair.
HISTORY
Tollers were evolved in Nova Scotia in the early 19th century to retrieve ducks from the surrounding icy waters. Like the other breeds that emerged in this part of the world, the Newfoundland, the originators of the Labrador and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (who shares the same colouring), these dogs all excel in swimming and retrieving.