PuppyBase

German Longhaired Pointer 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

German Longhaired Pointer vs Norwich Terrier

You’re probably not comparing a German Longhaired Pointer and a Norwich Terrier because they look alike. because they absolutely don’t. One’s a lean, 80-pound field athlete built for covering miles of rough terrain. The other’s a 12-pound firecracker with a beard and big opinions, originally bred to dive into fox dens. The reason they end up side-by-side in search results? Families wanting an affectionate, energetic dog who’s good with kids and thrives on activity. But that’s where the overlap ends. If you’re picturing weekend hikes, hunting trips, or a dog who’ll run point on a pheasant hunt and then settle into a family dinner like it’s no big deal, the German Longhaired Pointer fits that life perfectly. They’re calm indoors but demand serious outdoor time. You need space. yard or access to trails. and the willingness to train and engage them mentally. They’re the dog that’ll learn advanced commands just because they want to please you. The Norwich? They’re the apartment-savvy rebel with a terrier spark. Don’t let the size fool you. they’ve got the heart of a guard dog and the lungs to match. They bark at squirrels, strangers, and the toaster. They’re stubborn in training but deeply loyal. And yes, they’ll try to boss around a cat or chinchilla if you have one. The real insight? It’s not about energy level. it’s about purpose. The Pointer needs a job, even if it’s just a long scent game in the park. The Norwich needs engagement, but on their terms. You don’t own a Norwich. You negotiate with it. Pick the Pointer if you live rural or suburban and move hard outdoors. Pick the Norwich if you want a bold, compact companion who’ll adapt to city life but never lose their edge. One’s a hunting partner who happens to love kids. The other’s a tiny anarchist who’ll steal your heart. and your shoes.

German Longhaired Pointer
Norwich Terrier
22–28 in
Height
9–10 in
55–80 lb
Weight
11–12 lb
12–14 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.2–3.0k
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.
German Longhaired Pointer Norwich Terrier
Overlay

Where they diverge

Trainability
German Longhaired Pointer is easier to train (2-point difference)
German
Affectionate w/ Family
Norwich Terrier is more affectionate (1-point difference)
Norwich
Good with Other Dogs
German Longhaired Pointer is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
German
Coat Grooming
German Longhaired Pointer needs less grooming (1-point difference)
German
Drooling Level
Norwich Terrier drools less (1-point difference)
Norwich
The verdict

Choose the German Longhaired Pointer if…

  • Hunters
  • Active families
  • Rural living
  • You value trainabilityGerman Longhaired Pointer scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Norwich Terrier if…

  • Active families
  • Apartment or small home living
  • Families with older children
  • You value affectionate w/ familyNorwich Terrier scores higher here.
German Longhaired Pointer Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your German Longhaired Pointer 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