Breeder List
Revised 12/21/04
Breeder lists generally take one of two forms: Either the list is composed of those who ask to be included. Or the list is based on a general database, such as a membership list, and may include non-breeders and novice breeders as well as experienced breeders. By itself, this is neither good nor bad. Less common is a list where the breeders are screened by the sponsoring organization on factors such as experience, knowledge, practices, quality, etc.
Breeder referral is not an ANTA function and ANTA does not maintain a Breeder List. So, please do not write us asking for names of breeders.
Our advice for finding a Norfolk follows.
Norfolks are relatively rare with fewer than 300 puppies born per year throughout the US and with the average litter having only two. This means that puppies generally are not immediately available. In fact, many breeders receive more inquiries than they know what to do with. Therefore, be prepared to search far, wide, and long.
Further, whenever Norfolks or Norwiches are featured in the media, inquiries explode. Thus for several weeks or months following any television exposure of Norfolks or Norwiches, finding a Norfolk becomes even more difficult. The most noteworthy example of this occurs every February when the media focus on the Westminster KC show at Madison Square Garden in New York.
You should begin your search by utilizing the resources at the AKC's Future Dog Owners page, espcially the article "About Buying a Dog". You may choose to use AKC's Breeder Referral and Breeder Classified services, but understand that the AKC database is by no means complete. The same applies to breeder listings on the Licensed Superintendents' sites.
Visit our Articles Index and read the articles, especially those listed under "Buying and Selling," "Description," and "History." Attend dog shows and Norfolk events to see the breed and make contacts. Ask aficionados for referrals, identify breed lines that you like and contact the breeders of those lines.
Refer to our Coming Events page for ANTA event information and to the other Norfolk club web sites, linked on our Other/Norfolk page. AKC dog shows are run by Licensed Superintendents, of which the following have web sites with show calendars:
Also, the show calendars may allow you a few days before a show to see what the Norfolk entry is; but note that this is not a guarantee that the exhibitors will show up. (A word of advice: Don't try to talk to the exhibitors right before ring time; wait until after they have shown and ask whether they have time to talk to you.)
You want to stand out from the "window shoppers" and project yourself as being a great Norfolk home. To do this, you must do your homework.
An amazing amount of material is available online but finding the right information often requires creative thinking. You can, of course, plug "Norfolk Terrier" into a search engine, wade through the hits and perhaps find reputable breeders. You can also turn up useful information by browsing the web sites of AKC Licensed Superintendents for show calendars, past show results and possible breeder information.
Think creatively! Show results may allow you to review a dog's show history and from that find dog shows near you that attract Norfolk entries. Norfolk exhibitors gravitate to certain shows; such as the Montgomery County KC show in Ambler, PA in early October, and past show results may allow you to identify the best bets to visit in the future.
Responsible breeders are the best source for a well-bred, healthy dog. A responsible breeder subscribes to the Code of Ethics of the breed's AKC parent club and would not knowingly sell their dogs to pet dealers, pet shops, or other commerical distribution channels, or sell through auctions. By contrast, some people breed only to produce puppies to sell and are motivated soley by profit.
Advertisements or offerings of Norfolks available immediately, featured as from imported stock, or from litters and/or parents that are not registered with the AKC should be considered with skepticism and extreme caution.
We are often asked about how to find a rescue or "rehome" Norfolk. Fortunately for the breed, few Norfolks turn up in true rescue situations and The Norwich and Norfolk Terrier Club (NNTC) has an effective Rescue Committee plus the breed has a tradition of Norfolk owners stepping up whenever the need arises. The point we want to make is that finding an older dog to adopt is as hard, or harder, as finding a puppy -- it is very much a matter of being in the right place at the right time. While opening one's home and heart to a needy dog is a commendable act, it is not a quick or easy way to find a Norfolk.
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