Havanese versus Norwich Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Havanese Versus Norwich Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Havanese versus Norwich Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Havanese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Havanese versus Norwich Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Norwich Terrier

FactorHavaneseNorwich Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/52/5
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 14 years
Does NOT Shed4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
General Health3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/52/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/51/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Good For Novice Owners5/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/55/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Weight7 to 13 poundsUp to 12 pounds
Height8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulderUp to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$2180$2140
Price Range$1700 – $2750$1500 – $2650
Temperament Score81.8 percent73.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds23102

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Havanese 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwich Terrier is 83 out of 125.

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

    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 Havanese and the Norwich Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Norwich Terrier

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

    Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 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 Havanese versus Norwich Terrier

    The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses 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.

    Havaneses live longer than Norwich Terriers.

    Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Norwich Terrier

    The Havanese has a better temperament than the Norwich Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-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 Havanese and the Norwich Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 15 Norwich Terriers.

    Price of Havanese versus Price of Norwich Terrier

    The average price of the Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of a Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Norwich Terrier puppy is $2140. The price of the Norwich Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $2650. However, the price of the Norwich Terrier can be as low as $1200 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 14 Norwich Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Havanese is more expensive than the Norwich Terrier.

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    Havanese Norwich Terrier
    Average Price $2180 $2140
    Price Range $1700 to $2750 $1500 to $2650

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses. 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 Havanese 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 Popularity of Havanese 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 Havanese and the Norwich Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Norwich Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwich Terrier is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

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    Year Havanese Popularity Rank Norwich Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 25 89
    2014 25 97
    2015 24 103
    2016 23 103
    2017 23 105
    2018 24 108
    2019 22 102
    2020 24 109

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

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Havanese while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwich Terrier.

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

    Havanese Health Problems

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

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses 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 Havaneses 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 Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 3 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 18 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 20 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 38 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 55 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 59 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 70 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 111 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 123 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 Havanese and in Norwich Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Havanese and the Norwich Terrier:

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    Disease Havanese Rank Norwich Terrier Rank
    Dentition Database problems 3 out of 49 dog breeds 2 out of 49 dog breeds
    Baer Hearing Test problems 18 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 20 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 38 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 55 out of 144 dog breeds 94 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems 59 out of 145 dog breeds 22 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 70 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 111 out of 182 dog breeds 109 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 123 out of 198 dog breeds 86 out of 198 dog breeds
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 13 out of 17 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: Havanese versus Norwich Terrier

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    Norwich Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Havaneses shed more than Norwich Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Norwich Terrier

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwich Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Havaneses 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 Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwich Terrier?

    Havaneses 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 Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Norwich Terriers?

    Havaneses 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 Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Norwich Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Norwich Terrier

    Havaneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.

    Norwich Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwich Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Norwich Terriers?

    Havaneses 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 Havaneses and Norwich Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Norwich Terrier?

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Norwich Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwich Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwich Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Havanese 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 Havanese:

  • Bichon Frise (86 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs Bich Poo.
  • 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 Havanese vs Cavachon.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (81 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Lowchen (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Lowchen.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Greyhound     Havanese versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Havanese versus Golden Retriever     Havanese versus Chi-Poo     Havanese versus Belgian Tervuren     Havanese versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Havanese versus Japanese Spitz     Havanese versus Field Spaniel     Havanese versus Irish Wolfhound     Havanese versus Schnoodle     Havanese versus Lowchen     Havanese versus Golden Retriever     Havanese versus Whippet     Havanese versus Australian Shepherd     Havanese versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Havanese versus Whippet     Havanese versus Cockalier     Havanese versus Boxer     Havanese versus Irish Water Spaniel     Havanese versus Basenji     Havanese versus Whoodle     Havanese versus Barbet     Havanese versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Havanese versus Goldador     Havanese versus Lhasapoo     

    Norwich Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwich Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus American Bulldog     Norwich Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Norwich Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Norwich Terrier versus Morkie     Norwich Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Norwich Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     Norwich Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Norwich Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Norwich Terrier versus Pomsky     Norwich Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Norwich Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Norwich Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Norwich Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Norwich Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Norwich Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Norwich Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Norwich Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     

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