Grizzle color in the Norwich Terrier is not Brindle

I received a comment that my “explanation of grizzle color was not correct”. I would like to clarify a few points. My posting on my blog is presented to my puppy customers and the lay person in order to differentiate the grizzle vs the brindle colored puppy that is often fraudulently or ignorantly presented by puppy mills and sellers. My concern to those looking for a puppy is that they are scammed by those selling Cairn/Cairn crosses that present the brindle gene. The point of my posting is that the Norwich breed does not display the color brindle. My posting was not intended to be a genetic educational post, nor do I claim to be an expert in canine color genetics. The posting was in fact, to assist the lay person in identifying grizzle vs brindle patterns. I have found a particular website very helpful which I offered a link, so one may see more examples and descriptions of coat color in the Norwich Terrier. “Grizzles in your breed seem to be saddlebacks too, but with that gene which turns black saddle into grizzle one. It has been suggested that it might be another A locus allele, but some breeding data suggests that it isn't, but it is in another locus. Liisa Sarakantu” Another Website: “SADDLE PATTERN The saddle pattern gene restricts dark pigment (eumelanin) to the dog's back. The rest of the coat is red. Sometimes the black saddle can have interspersed red hairs. This occurs in some terrier breeds and is known as grizzle.” The point is that canine color genetics is not a complete science yet. There is a lot of information available and yet a lot more undiscovered at this time. In the Norwich terrier, regardless of what allele or modifying gene we’re discussing, we just need to realize that a Norwich grizzle is not the same as brindle. As a breeder, I am in a constant state of learning. If a person has documented information on a subject, please email me and I’d love to discuss it with you and explore information. But I will not accept anonymous, critical, and unconstructive comments through my blog. I will not participate in unprofessional and negative interactions that are counterproductive to the thirst for knowledge and learning.

The Norwich Terrier Breed

Have you asked yourself why it's so hard to find a Norwich Terrier puppy, and why they are so pricey? The Norwich Terrier is one of the hardest breeds to breed. They are prone to more complications, and are harder to get pregnant. I've had a terrible time settling Calli, our AKC champion. It breaks my heart because she's so adorable! I want puppies from her so badly! We'll keep trying and see how it goes. I feel terrible for the families waiting for a puppy, but thankfully they understand that we're only working with nature.

We are moving to a new home this fall, so we'll be making do until we have a new play yard built for the Norwich. We hope to have a litter by Morgan this fall, but if things are too hectic with moving and/or building a new home, we may have to postpone litters until next summer. The updates will be here or on the puppies page.

When reading about the statistics of the puppies born in the US, it's amazing that anyone can find a puppy. Compared to 60,000 Golden Retrievers registered in the US per year, only 800 Norwich Terriers are registered. This is amazing! As I watch for more lines to add to my breeding program in the future, I'm amazed at all the faux Norwich advertised that are brindle in color, or have black points. I pointed it out to one breeder in a friendly way, and she said she had the papers as Norwich. But people! That doesn't mean they aren't forgeries, fraudulent, and you're propetuating the problem!!! Does anyone else care that they aren't even a breed they're advertised to be!? Some may be ignorant, but I've educated myself in my short time as a breeder and I think some choose to turn 1 cheek and they don't want to try to better the breed. It's very lonely and difficult to find consciencous breeders that aren't more interested in their own motives.

Does anyone just really love the TRUE Norwich Terrier breed and want to breed healthy puppies with good temperment and conformation for the purpose of loving them, and not just for the sake of titles? Please contact me if you do! I want to meet some loving Norwich Terrier friends who live by the golden rule!