Which is Better between the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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Harrier Versus Norwich Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Norwich Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Norwich Terrier.

Harrier versus Norwich Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Norwich Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs 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.

Harrier versus Norwich Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Norwich Terrier

Factor Harrier Norwich Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds Up to 12 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2650
Average Price No Data $2140
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 102

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Norwich Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Harriers are very easy to groom. However, Norwich Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Norwich Terrier

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

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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 Harrier versus Norwich Terrier

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.

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

    Norwich Terriers live longer than Harriers.

    The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwich Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwich Terrier is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Norwich Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 173 89
    2014 181 97
    2015 183 103
    2016 186 103
    2017 183 105
    2018 189 108
    2019 186 102
    2020 190 109

    Health Problems of Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Norwich Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwich Terrier.

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

    Harrier Health Problems

    Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Norwich Terriers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Harrier Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Norwich Terrier Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Norwich Terrier ranks 2 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 64 Norwich Terriers, 27 of them had Dentition Database problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Norwich Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Norwich Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 2 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 13 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 22 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 86 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 94 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 109 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Norwich Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Norwich Terrier:

    Disease Harrier Rank Norwich Terrier Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 86 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 2 out of 49 dog breeds
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 13 out of 17 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 22 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 94 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 109 out of 182 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Norwich Terrier

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Norwich Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Norwich Terriers?

    Harriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Norwich Terrier

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwich Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Harriers 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 Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Norwich Terriers?

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

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

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

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Norwich Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Norwich Terrier

    Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Norwich Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwich Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Norwich Terriers?

    Harriers 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 Harriers and Norwich Terriers?

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Norwich Terrier?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Norwich Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norwich Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwich Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwich Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Norwich Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Norwich Terrier:

  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Cavachon.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (81 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Lowchen (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Lowchen.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Norwich Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Norwich Terrier to other breeds:

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Maltese     Harrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Harrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Harrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Harrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Harrier versus Basenji     Harrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Harrier versus Rottweiler     Harrier versus Dalmatian     Harrier versus Shih Tzu     Harrier versus Goldador     Harrier versus Labrador Retriever     Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Harrier versus Valley Bulldog     Harrier versus Sheepadoodle     Harrier versus Havanese     Harrier versus Sloughi     Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Harrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Chorkie     Harrier versus Finnish Spitz     Harrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Harrier versus Pointer     Harrier versus Bulldog     Harrier versus Chihuahua     

    Norwich Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwich Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Norwich Terrier versus Dalmatian     Norwich Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Norwich Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Norwich Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Norwich Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Norwich Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Cockalier     Norwich Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Norwich Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Norwich Terrier versus Briard     Norwich Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Norwich Terrier versus Bull Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Norwich Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwich Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Norwich Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Norwich Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Norwich Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Norwich Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Norwich Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Norwich Terrier versus Beaglier     Norwich Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     

    Conclusion: Harrier 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 Harrier and the Norwich Terrier better suits you and your family.