Prologue

This work is intended as a guide on how to groom the Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier for conformation showing.  In combination with your own creative grooming flair, to be successful at grooming you first need to know what the breed is suppose to loo

k like according to the kennel club’s written standard.  That will give you a picture in your mind’s eye of what the perfect dog should look like.  What you should be able to visualize is a silhouette of the perfect dog.  I have provided some silhouettes to help.  Despite that my silhouettes have a Norfolk head, the principles of grooming here will apply for the Norwich Terrier as well.  

This work should be read in

conjunction with our other publication, “Comparative Study & Illustrated Breed Standard of Norfolk and Norwich Terriers”.  Read also the  Norfolk written standard or the Norwich written standard to refresh yourself about what, according to the words of the standard, the dogs should look like.  For convenience of reference, I have included the relevant text from the American Kennel Club written standard with this document.  That will help you apply the written standard to the particular dog that you wish to groom.  Understanding the strengths and

weakness of your dog is essential because show grooming is all about accentuating your dog’s strengths and hiding his weaknesses.

With a little practice, like anything, the grooming gets easier.  At worst, as you practice on your dog, if you remove the wrong hairs they will eventually grow back.

Introduction

A WELL-GROOMED Norfolk or Norwich Terrier is a delight to the eye, shows pride of ownership and does the breed proud. The breed loses much of its character and charm if the coat is not properly maintained.  The grooming instructions following are intended to educate the new owner in all facets of grooming and general coat management.  The first-time owner will probably be dealing with a three to four months old puppy.  Purchased from a Responsible Breeder, your new puppy will arrive with a multitude of instructions,  including grooming advice.  Your breeder should provide a constant source of needed information and advice that you can draw on throughout the life of your dog.  Your new puppy will arrive in a neat and tidy condition and grooming maintenance thereafter should begin immediately. Proper training during the impressionable age of a puppy can mean the difference between an individual easily managed, leaving both hands for the grooming process, or one that leaves neither to do the job intended. Be kind, but firm. Keep the sessions brief in the beginning, and follow them with some reward, like a favorite tidbit or a brisk walk. There is much to be learned by you and the puppy during these first few months.  

I have made this article into the following
sections for quicker downloading:
(by e-mail request, a .pdf file is available of most of our grooming articles)

Victor with Amer & Can. Champion Wildgoose Stepn into the Storm (Norfolk) and Amer & Can. Champion Wildgoose Sidney Foxwood (Norwich)