How long does a Norfolk Terrier live?

The listed lifespan for a Norfolk Terrier is 12–16 years.

How tall is a Norfolk Terrier?

The listed height for a Norfolk Terrier is 9–10 in.

Is a Norfolk Terrier good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Norfolk Terrier is 5 out of 5.

When is a Norfolk Terrier full grown?

The growth size band for a Norfolk Terrier is 8–12 months.

Terrier Group

Norfolk Terrier

Norfolk Terrier is a toy dog in the Terrier Group. Adult weight is 11–12 lb, height is 9–10 in, and the listed lifespan is 12–16 years. AKC describes the temperament as Alert, Fearless, Fun-loving.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Norfolk Terrier dog — Photo: Karen Arnold · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan12–16 years

Weight11–12 lb

SizeToy GroupTerrier Group

Height

9–10 in

Energy

4 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

3 / 5

Good with kids

5 / 5

The breed record

Across 21 single-size toy breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 14 years is about the same as the 14.1-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 11.5 lb is about 3.1 lb heavier than the 8.4 lb average for those toy breeds.

The listed origin is England. The coat is described as double, wiry, short. The AKC energy score is 4 out of 5, 0.4 points above the group average of 3.6 for the Terrier Group. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 3 out of 5. Good with children scores 5 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 126 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in 8–12 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): very small dogs reach maturity at 8-12 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, and Ophthalmologist Exam. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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