PuppyBase

Broholmer vs Norwich Terrier

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Broholmer vs Norwich Terrier

You’re probably not comparing a Broholmer and a Norwich Terrier because they seem alike. because they don’t. You’re here because someone mentioned both, or you’re deep in the dog world and noticed how extreme the contrast can be. Let’s cut to it: one is a gentle giant from Danish estates, the other a feisty little fox hunter from English barns. They’re as different as a pickup truck and a go-kart, but both loyal, both affectionate, both dogs that’ll stick by their people. The Broholmer is calm, massive, and built like a draft horse with a teddy bear’s heart. At 100+ pounds and nearly 30 inches tall, it’s not just big. it’s “you-better-have-a-sturdy-fence” big. It’s quiet, doesn’t need hours of exercise, but needs space and an owner who knows how to manage a giant. It’s good with kids, but its size alone means playtime needs supervision. It’s the kind of dog who’ll follow you around the yard like a silent bodyguard and sleep at your feet like a furnace. The Norwich Terrier, meanwhile, is 12 pounds of spark plug. It’s small enough to fit in a tote bag but loud enough to alert the neighborhood. It’s scrappy, smart, and always ready for a mission. like chasing a squirrel under the fence or barking at the mailman. It’s perfect for apartments, but only if you’re ready for the noise and the stubborn streak. Here’s the real insight: size isn’t the only thing that scales. The Broholmer’s needs are big. space, food, vet bills. but its energy isn’t. The Norwich is small, but its personality is huge, and that means training, stimulation, and vigilance. Pick the Broholmer if you want a calm presence and can handle the physical load. Pick the Norwich if you want a bold little partner and can handle the mental hustle. One’s a quiet guardian, the other a pocket-sized alarm system. Know what kind of noise you’re ready for.

Broholmer
Norwich Terrier
27.5–29.5 in
Height
9–10 in
90–150 lb
Weight
11–12 lb
8–10 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$2.0–4.0k
Puppy price
$2.0–4.5k
AKC popularity
#108

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Broholmer Norwich Terrier
Overlay

Where they diverge

Barking Level
Broholmer barks less (3-point difference)
Broholmer
Good with Young Children
Norwich Terrier is better with kids (2-point difference)
Norwich
Drooling Level
Norwich Terrier drools less (2-point difference)
Norwich
Good with Strangers
Norwich Terrier is friendlier with strangers (2-point difference)
Norwich
Energy Level
Norwich Terrier has more energy (2-point difference)
Norwich
The verdict

Choose the Broholmer if…

  • experienced large-breed owners
  • families with children
  • homes with large yards
  • You value drooling levelBroholmer scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Norwich Terrier if…

  • Active families
  • Apartment or small home living
  • Families with older children
  • You value barking levelNorwich Terrier scores higher here.
Broholmer Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Broholmer home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Norwich Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Norwich Terrier home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run