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.

Norwich Terrier Colors

It's disappointing to see so many Norwich mixes and faux Norwich Terriers advertised online. Many are APRI registered rather than AKC. I'm amazed at how many don't even resemble Norwich, and it doesn't take a professional to figure out why. The acceptable colors in the Norwich Terrier are all shades of red, wheaten, black & tan, blue & tan, and grizzle. Red is simple, ranging from a light puppy born without pigment called a Pink, to deeper reds. Wheaten is a lighter tan color. Black & Tan are born with the markings as seen in the doberman, but the head and legs turn red as they mature, leaving the saddle back pattern seen in adulthood. Blue & Tan are more gray in color with the same markings. Grizzle is the most misunderstood color and is what many "breeders" are either taking advantage of buyers that don't know the difference, or they are misinformed themselves. I'm seeing many "Norwich" advertised online as grizzle that have the brindle gene. Norwich Terriers do not come in brindle, the Cairn Terrier does. The brindle gene causes a striping pattern in the undercoat seen at birth, as in this photo of brindle Cairn Terrier puppies. Brindle adult Cairn Terriers can vary from lighter brindle to very dark almost black brindles. The striping pattern can be seen in the undercoat and the top coat is more evenly mixed. The Norwich Terrier grizzle will be born with a lighter variation of the black & tan markings like a doberman. As adults they will have a light saddle back with a mixture of red & black hairs. It can become confusing when looking at adult Norwich because some of the black & tan's saddle fades enough that they look like a grizzle saddle back. But there is one thing that is not confusing, and anyone can tell the difference, the Norwich should NOT look like a brindle Cairn! To see many examples of Norwich Terrier color, visit this link http://www.norwich.ch/Colors/Summary.html It's an excellent example of colors from birth to adulthood. Please don't be fooled by sellers who either fraudulently sell Cairns as Norwich for inflated prices, or who are so misinformed that they believe their brindle is a Norwich. Simply having papers does not mean that they are accurate or even reputable registries.

Why are Norwich So Expensive?

There are few numbers and a high demand. Compared to 60,000 Golden's registered each year, there are only approximately 800 Norwich Terriers registered per year. Norwich Terriers have small litters and can have higher incidence of complications, making them difficult to breed. Waiting lists may be long with reputable breeders. Fraudulent sellers have taken Cairn Terriers, cropped their tail, and sold them online as Norwich for the inflated prices. Norwich Terriers do not come in brindle like a Cairn! Beware of any breeder who is selling dark colored, brindle "Norwich". For the approved colors in the breed, click here. Quality Norwich are $2000-4000 for pets. The bargain Norwich on the internet are no bargain! Ensure you are purchasing DNA verified AKC registered puppies from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders sell AKC pets with limited registration to forever pet homes. They are knowledgable, health test their dogs, and want to know that you can provide the ideal home for their puppies. They will ask you questions about you, your family, and the home you can provide before making puppies available. By only working with reputable breeders, you'll have a longer lived more quality family companion that will resemble the breed.

The Norwich Terrier

General Appearance: The Norwich Terrier, spirited and stocky with sensitive prick ears and a slightly foxy expression, is one of the smallest working terriers. This sturdy descendent of ratting companions, eager to dispatch small vermin alone or in a pack, has good bone and substance and an almost weatherproof coat. A hardy hunt terrier-honorable scars from fair wear and tear are acceptable. Size, Proportion, Substance

One of the smallest of the terriers, the ideal height should not exceed 10 inches at the withers. Distance from the top of the withers to the ground and from the withers to base of tail are approximately equal. Good bone and substance. Weight approximately 12 pounds. It should be in proportion to the individual dog's structure and balance. Fit working condition is a prime consideration. Head: A slightly foxy expression. Eyes small, dark and oval shaped with black rims. Placed well apart with a bright and keen expression. Ears medium size and erect. Set well apart with pointed tips. Upright when alert.The skull is broad and slightly rounded with good width between the ears. The muzzle is wedge shaped and strong. Its length is about one-third less than the measurement from the occiput to the well-defined stop. The jaw is clean and strong. Nose and lip pigment black. Tight-lipped with large teeth. A scissor bite. Neck, Topline, Body Neck of medium length, strong and blending into well laid back shoulders. Level topline. Body moderately short. Compact and deep. Good width of chest. Well-sprung ribs and short loins. Tail medium docked. The terrier's working origin requires that the tail be of sufficient length to grasp. Base level with topline; carried erect. Forequarters: Well laid back shoulders. Elbows close to ribs. Short, powerful legs, as straight as is consistent with the digging terrier. Pasterns firm. Feet round with thick pads. Nails black. The feet point forward when standing or moving. Hindquarters Broad, strong and muscular with well-turned stifles. Hocks low set and straight when viewed from the rear. Feet as in front. Coat Hard, wiry and straight, lying close to the body with a definite undercoat. The coat on neck and shoulders forms a protective mane. The hair on head, ears and muzzle, except for slight eyebrows and whiskers, is short and smooth. This breed should be shown with as natural a coat as possible. A minimum of tidying is permissible but shaping should be heavily penalized. ColorAll shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle. White marks are not desirable. Gait: The legs moving parallel, extending forward, showing great powers of propulsion. Good rear angulation with a true, yet driving movement. The forelegs move freely with feet and elbows the same distance apart, converging slightly with increased pace. Hind legs follow in the track of the forelegs, flexing well at the stifle and hock. The topline remains level. Temperament: Gay, fearless, loyal and affectionate. Adaptable and sporting, they make ideal companions.
-AKC.org