Is the Border Terrier Better than the Norwich Terrier as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Border Terrier Versus Norwich Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Border Terrier and for the Norwich Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Border Terrier or the Norwich Terrier.

Border Terrier versus Norwich Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Border Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Norwich Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Border Terrier versus Norwich Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Border Terrier to the Norwich Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier

FactorBorder TerrierNorwich Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/52/5
Height10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulderUp to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight11 to 15 poundsUp to 12 pounds
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 14 years
Dog Friendly2/55/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Good For Novice Owners3/53/5
Easygoing3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
Does NOT Shed3/54/5
Easy To Train3/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
General Health4/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/52/5
NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight1/51/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/52/5
Low Prey Drive1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$1160$2530
Price Range$800 – $1400$2000 – $2650
Temperament Score91.6 percent73.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination annually until at least Age 8ys (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Spongiform Leukoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM)
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)3038

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Border Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Norwich Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Border Terrier is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwich Terrier is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norwich Terrier is a better pet than the Border Terrier. So, you should get the Norwich Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are most different:

    • Border Terriers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Norwich Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Border Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Norwich Terriers get along well with other dogs.

    The Similarities Between the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier

    The Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are most similar:

    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Border Terrier versus Norwich Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier.

    Border Terriers weigh 11 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Border Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Norwich Terriers weigh Up to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norwich Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Border Terrier versus Norwich Terrier

    The lifespan of Border Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Border Terriers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Norwich Terriers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Norwich Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Border Terriers live longer than Norwich Terriers.

    Temperament of the Norwich Terrier Versus the Border Terrier

    The Border Terrier has a better temperament than the Norwich Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Border Terrier is 91.6 percent while the temperament score for the Norwich Terrier is 73.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 91.6 percent, the Border Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 73.3 percent, the Norwich Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 143 Border Terriers and 15 Norwich Terriers.

    Price of Border Terrier versus Price of Norwich Terrier

    The average price of the Border Terrier puppy is $1160. The price of the Border Terrier typically ranges from $800 – $1400. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 19 Border Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Norwich Terrier puppy is $2530. The price of the Norwich Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $2650. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 Norwich Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Norwich Terrier is more expensive than the Border Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Border Terrier and Norwich Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Border Terrier puppies or how many Norwich Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Border Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Border Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Norwich Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Norwich Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Border Terrier puppy or the Norwich Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Border Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Norwich Terrier

    `
    Border Terrier Norwich Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 30 out of 130 dog breeds 38 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Border Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 30 out of 130 dog breeds. The Border Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Border Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Norwich Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 38 out of 130 dog breeds. The Norwich Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Norwich Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Border Terrier is more intelligent than the Norwich Terrier.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Border Terrier versus Health Problems of Norwich Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Border Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwich Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Border Terrier than for the Norwich Terrier.

    5 health tests are recommended for Border Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwich Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Border Terriers and in Norwich Terriers.

    Border Terrier Health Problems

    Border Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Border Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Border Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Border Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Border Terriers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination annually until at least Age 8ys (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Spongiform Leukoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM)

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Border Terriers here.

    Norwich Terrier Health Problems

    Norwich Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Norwich Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Norwich Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Norwich Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Norwich Terriers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwich Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Border Terrier versus Norwich Terrier

    Border Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Norwich Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Border Terriers shed more than Norwich Terriers?

    Border Terriers shed moderately.

    Norwich Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Border Terrier or the Norwich Terrier

    Border Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwich Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Terrier or the Norwich Terrier?

    Border Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Norwich Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Border Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwich Terrier?

    Border Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Norwich Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Border Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Norwich Terriers?

    Border Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Norwich Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Border Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Border Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwich Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Border Terrier vs. Norwich Terrier

    Border Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Norwich Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Border Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Border Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Norwich Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Terrier or the Norwich Terrier?

    Border Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Norwich Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Border Terriers good family dogs? What about Norwich Terriers?

    Border Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Norwich Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Border Terriers and Norwich Terriers?

    Border Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Norwich Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Border Terrier Easier to Train than the Norwich Terrier?

    Border Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Norwich Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Border Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwich Terrier?

    Border Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwich Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Terrier or the Norwich Terrier?

    Border Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwich Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Border Terrier versus Norwich Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Border Terrier and the Norwich Terrier better suits you and your family.