Differences and Similarities between the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog.

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Norfolk Terrier Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog? 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Norfolk Terrier and for the Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog.

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

Norfolk Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

Norfolk Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Norfolk 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.

On the other hand, the Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Norfolk Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norfolk Terrier to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog

Factor Norfolk Terrier Shetland Sheepdog
Does NOT Shed 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Weight 11 to 12 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2500 $1590
Price Range $2500 – $2500 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 92.9 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 130 23
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 56 6

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Norfolk 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Norfolk Terrier is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norfolk Terrier is a better pet than the Shetland Sheepdog. So, you should get the Norfolk 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Norfolk Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    • The Similarities Between the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Norfolk Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Norfolk Terriers weigh 11 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norfolk Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norfolk Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Norfolk Terrier Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Norfolk Terrier has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Norfolk Terrier is 92.9 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 92.9 percent, the Norfolk Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 14 Norfolk Terriers and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of Norfolk Terrier versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    The average price of the Norfolk Terrier puppy is $2500. The price of the Norfolk Terrier typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of a Norfolk Terrier can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Norfolk Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Norfolk Terrier is more expensive than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Norfolk Terrier Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $2500 $1590
    Price Range $2500 to $2500 $1000 to $2000

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Norfolk Terrier puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Norfolk Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog

    Norfolk Terrier Shetland Sheepdog
    Intelligence Rank 56 out of 130 dog breeds 6 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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 Norfolk Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 56 out of 130 dog breeds. The Norfolk Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Norfolk Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Norfolk 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.

    The Popularity of Norfolk Terrier versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Norfolk Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norfolk Terrier is 130 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Norfolk Terrier

    Popularity of Norfolk Terrier

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Year Norfolk Terrier Popularity Rank Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 129 21
    2014 131 21
    2015 131 23
    2016 134 24
    2017 128 24
    2018 126 25
    2019 131 25
    2020 130 27

    Health Problems of Norfolk Terrier versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Norfolk Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Norfolk Terrier than for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    5 health tests are recommended for Norfolk Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Norfolk Terriers and in Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Norfolk Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation

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

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Norfolk Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs

    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 Norfolk Terrier Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Norfolk Terrier ranks 1 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 592 Norfolk Terriers, 30 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 1 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 20 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 29 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 37 out of 145 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 Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

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

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 out of 198 Dog Breeds

    • The table below lists the common health problems in Norfolk Terrier and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog:

    Disease Norfolk Terrier Rank Shetland Sheepdog Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 1 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 2 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 20 out of 198 dog breeds 166 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 29 out of 182 dog breeds 122 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 37 out of 145 dog breeds 89 out of 145 dog breeds
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems Not Common 3 out of 7 dog breeds
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems Not Common 4 out of 7 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 5 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 6 out of 49 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems Not Common 6 out of 15 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 46 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 101 out of 144 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: Norfolk Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Norfolk Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norfolk Terriers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Norfolk Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Norfolk Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norfolk Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Norfolk Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Norfolk Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Norfolk Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Norfolk Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norfolk Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norfolk Terrier vs. Shetland Sheepdog

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

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

    Can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Norfolk Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norfolk Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Norfolk Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Norfolk Terriers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norfolk Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Norfolk Terrier Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Norfolk Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Norfolk Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Norfolk Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Norfolk Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norfolk Terrier

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

  • Boston Terrier (77 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Boston Terrier.
  • Cockapoo (75 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Cockapoo.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Norfolk Terrier vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Norfolk Terrier vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norfolk Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norfolk Terrier versus Brittany     Norfolk Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Norfolk Terrier versus English Setter     Norfolk Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Norfolk Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norfolk Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Pomeranian     Norfolk Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Norfolk Terrier versus Akbash     Norfolk Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Norfolk Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Norfolk Terrier versus Mudi     Norfolk Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norfolk Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Norfolk Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Norfolk Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Norfolk Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Norfolk Terrier versus Borzoi     Norfolk Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Norfolk Terrier versus Maltipoo     Norfolk Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Norfolk Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Norfolk Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Norfolk Terrier versus Chinese Crested     Norfolk Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Shetland Sheepdog versus Jack Russell Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus German Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Welsh Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Korean Jindo Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Basenji     Shetland Sheepdog versus English Springer Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Hairless Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lancashire Heeler     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bullmastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus Shihpoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cocker Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Mudi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shetland Sheepdog versus Chow Chow     Shetland Sheepdog versus Havanese     Shetland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Pointer     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bolognese     Shetland Sheepdog versus Akbash     Shetland Sheepdog versus Black Mouth Cur     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomsky     

    Conclusion: Norfolk Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.