Page 13 - ShowSight Presents - The Norfolk Terrier

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.
The official 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). The 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. The 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. The trim should be neat and not overly shaped. The coat should be healthy and not open or blown.
The 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 2nd 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 The AKC Complete Dog Book (21st 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. They live in Pennsylvania.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2015 • 165