Finding Your Norwich

WHERE SHOULD I START?

Reading

I started with the AKC website and then read anything I could find about Norwich Terriers. There are a few books available such as Norwich Terrier by Alice Kane (Interpet Publishing Ltd., England), The Norwich Terrier by Marjorie Bunting (Available from the Norwich Terrier Club, England). The AKC Gazette has featured the Norwich Terrier (February 1986) and back issues are available. There are many more general books out now which include the Norwich Terrier and an Internet search should bring those to light. Now you also have Norwich Tales to help you!

Dog Shows

Attend dog shows and talk to the breeders there. Since the Norwich is still a fairly rare breed, it's not often that a prospective owner has the chance to actually see one around your neighborhood. I highly recommend attending several dog shows so you can see more than one Norwich and talk to more than one group of breeders. If you have the opportunity to speak to them at a show, be considerate and wait until they have finished showing their dogs. Better yet, contact them first and agree on a time to talk after they're finished at the show.

The Breeder

Most responsible and respected breeders are happy to answer your questions and help educate you on their breed. Make an appointment for a phone conversation, a home visit, or arrange a meeting after a show.

What Does a Good Breeder Look Like?

Some thoughts as you interview a potential breeder:

I know that a breeder has what you want and your immediate desire is to "get a dog" but if that's the way you are approaching this you could be sorry. This puppy can be a 12-18 year commitment and you need to make sure that you are working with someone who is an upstanding, caring and responsible breeder. If you hurry to just take the first dog you find, you could be sorry. With the advent of the Internet, you can buy just about anything, including pets. Before you even consider an Internet purchase, be sure to read the section, "Some Thoughts On Puppy Mills." If you care at all about dogs, it should change your mind.

Here are some hallmarks of a good breeder:

• The breeder's number one goal is to improve and strengthen the breed. They love and respect the breed and their actions are consistent with improving it by breeding with an aim for attaining the breed standard. They not only breed to the standard but they seek good temperament and optimum health in their dogs. They protect the breed.
• The breeder's dogs are registered with The American Kennel Club (AKC) which maintains the registry for purebred dogs in the U.S., it sanctions dog events and teaches responsible dog ownership. If they are a Canadian breeder their dogs are registered with The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Sometimes they are registered with both clubs. These registries assure that your dog's pedigree is legitimate and that it is indeed a purebred dog. Other registries cannot always assure a legitimate pedigree or assure that your dog is a purebred dog.*
• The breeder shows his or her dogs to their championship in conformation shows. A finished dog/bitch means it has attained its championship status by being judged against other dogs of the same breed and deemed the best representation of the breed by it's standard. The purpose of conformation shows is to find dogs/bitches that best represent the breed standard. A finished dog has a prefix of "CH" before it's name.
• The breeder rigorously screens the dogs in their breeding program for health and temperament. Health tests are done on hips, elbows, knees, thyroid, eyes and also cardio testing is done.
• Each breeding is planned for the express purpose of improving the breed, so the breeder studies pedigrees and then selects the best prospect to help achieve their set goal. Breeder also has potential homes lined up for any puppies that might not be suitable to be included in their breeding program, thus they usually have a waiting list.
• The breeder rigorously screens prospective homes for suitability for placement of a dog. The breeder queries about the home, yard, family members, and experience with dogs. Many breeders will include (as part of) a contract a stipulation that the dog will be returned to the breeder if for any reason owner will not (or cannot) care for the dog any longer. This is a hallmark of a reputable breeder and it indicates a life-long commitment to each dog that he or she helps bring into the world.
  Responsible breeders and responsible owners are not the cause of overcrowded shelters and unwanted dogs!
• The breeder invites a prospective owner to visit their home and see their dogs. They are proud of their dogs and are happy to provide references.
• The breeder offers a health guarantee.
• The breeder either spays or neuters the puppy before placement in a pet home, or requires it done contractually by the owner.
• If this puppy is going to a new show home, the breeder agrees to mentor the new owner.

If any of the above is not being done by the breeder you are considering working with, you should interview other breeders.

*There are other registries, called "pet registries." They have been set up by the commercial breeding industry for their industry. These "pet registries" cannot assure legitimacy of your dog's pedigree nor his breed. Their acronyms can be similar to the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) on purpose. Carefully note the registry of any potential dog you are considering and research it.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Some thoughts on puppy mills and backyard breeders