Border Terrier vs Norfolk Terrier

A Border Terrier
Photo: Samuel Cockman
A Norfolk Terrier
Photo: tanakawho

Side by side

Border Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
Adult weight
Males 9.6–12.3 kg (21–27 lb); females 8.2–10.3 kg (18–23 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 1,161, middle 50%)1
5–5.4 kg (11–12 lb)2
Height
Males 30.5–38.1 cm; females 30.5–38.1 cm (breed club figure)3
Males 22.9–25.4 cm; females 22.9–25.4 cm2
Lifespan
Median 14.2 years4
Median 13.5 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Terriers6
Terriers7
Coat
Wire or harsh coat6
Wire or harsh coat7
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Cushing's syndrome (much more likely); Corneal ulcers (more likely)8,9
Melanoma of the eye or eyelid (much more likely); Mouth melanoma (more likely)10
Class
Family
Family

Which suits you

Size
The Border Terrier is much larger: about 10 kg (22 lb) as an adult, against 5.2 kg (11 lb) for the Norfolk Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (Border Terrier: friendly with everyone; Norfolk Terrier: bonded to its family).
Alike
Both are rated the same on sensitivity: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Border Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament the Border is good-natured and determined, with a strong urge to chase small animals. It is often described as less quarrelsome with other dogs than many terriers.

Norfolk Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament it is bold, alert and inquisitive but not quarrelsome, and generally sociable. It keeps a strong terrier urge to dig and to chase small animals.

The Border Terrier page →The Norfolk Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Border Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Border Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Friendly with everyone
Bonded to its family
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Border Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour11. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home12,13.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Border Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 10 kg against the Norfolk Terrier's 5.2 kg.
Border Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Border Terrier with
Border Terrier vs Parson Russell TerrierBorder Terrier vs Cairn TerrierBorder Terrier vs Jack Russell TerrierBorder Terrier vs Irish TerrierCairn Terrier vs Norfolk TerrierBorder Terrier vs Miniature SchnauzerAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·