Norwich Terrier Grooming Guide

Coat Overview

The Norwich Terrier's Hard, Wiry Coat

The Norwich Terrier has a double coat: a hard, straight, wiry outer coat and a dense, softer undercoat. The outer coat lies close to the body and provides excellent weather resistance. The coat comes in red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle. Shedding is minimal — dead hair tends to stay in the coat rather than falling freely, which means it accumulates if not brushed or stripped regularly.

The correct wiry texture is preserved through hand-stripping. Clipping softens the coat progressively, changing its texture and often dulling the color. For pet owners, this is a cosmetic matter only — clipping is practical and keeps the dog neat. For show exhibitors, hand-stripping is non-negotiable.

Grooming Routine

Brushing, Stripping, and Bathing

Brushing: Brush the coat once or twice weekly with a slicker brush, followed by a pass with a metal comb to check for tangles and remove dead undercoat. The neck, behind the ears, and the hindquarters are areas where debris and minor tangles tend to accumulate.

Hand-Stripping: For show dogs, hand-stripping the outer coat every 6–8 months (with rolling maintenance in between) preserves the correct wiry texture and vibrant color. Use a stripping knife or your fingers and thumb to pull dead coat in the direction of growth. Work in small sections. Seek guidance from an experienced terrier exhibitor or groomer when learning.

Clipping (Pet Option): Professional clipping every 8–12 weeks is the practical pet-owner choice. A groomer familiar with wire-coated terriers will know how to scissor and shape the coat to maintain a clean terrier profile without over-softening it.

Bathing: Bathe every 4–6 weeks. Use a dog shampoo formulated for wiry or harsh coats to help preserve texture. Rinse thoroughly and towel or low-heat blow dry.

Special Considerations

Ear Care and Puppy Coat Transition

Ear Care: The upright prick ears of the Norwich allow good airflow and are naturally less prone to infection than the Norfolk's drop ears. Still, check weekly for wax buildup or debris and clean with a vet-approved ear solution as needed. Trim any excess hair from the inside of the ear flap to maintain good ventilation.

Puppy Coat: Norwich puppies have a softer, fluffier coat that transitions to the adult wiry texture by 12–18 months. Brush gently during this period to build good grooming habits. Don't strip the puppy coat aggressively — wait for the adult coat to come in.

Teeth and Nails: Brush teeth 3–5 times per week. Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. Both are especially important for small breeds, which tend to accumulate dental tartar quickly and can develop gait problems from overly long nails.