PuppyBase

Norwich Terrier vs Weimaraner

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

Norwich Terrier vs Weimaraner

You wouldn’t think anyone would seriously compare a 12-pound ruffian built to dive under barns after rats and a 70-pound silver-gray athlete bred to track boar all day in German forests. But here we are. both are active, affectionate, and intensely bonded to their people. That’s where the similarities end. The Norwich Terrier is a pocket-sized tornado with a big dog brain. You’ll find them barking at squirrels, digging on your rug, and burrowing under your blanket like it’s their job. They’re adaptable to apartments, sure, but don’t be fooled. they need jobs. Without mental puzzles or dog sports, they’ll invent their own, usually involving your shoes. They’re fantastic with older kids who won’t accidentally sit on them, but their prey drive means you’re rolling the dice with hamsters or cats. The Weimaraner, meanwhile, is a full-body commitment. This isn’t a dog you leave alone while working 10-hour days. It’s not just the size. it’s the energy. These dogs thrive on 2+ hours of exercise and complex training. They’re deeply sensitive, almost velcro-like in attachment, and prone to barking if bored. But when exercised and engaged, they’re calm, even elegant. They’re better for homes with yards, active adults, and ideally, someone home most of the day. Here’s the real talk: both breeds bond fiercely, but the Norwich will boss you around with terrier sass, while the Weimaraner will emotionally blackmail you with those grey eyes if you skip walk time. Pick the Norwich if you want a feisty, portable character who’ll keep you laughing and challenged in small spaces. Choose the Weimaraner if you’re ready for a high-performance companion who runs marathons with you and sleeps at your feet like a loyal ghost. Neither is low-maintenance. but one fits a studio apartment, the other demands a lifestyle. Know which life you’re living.

Norwich Terrier
Weimaraner
9–10 in
Height
23–27 in
11–12 lb
Weight
55–90 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
10–13 yr
$2.0–4.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.0k
#108
AKC popularity
#36

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.
Norwich Terrier Weimaraner
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Strangers
Norwich Terrier is friendlier with strangers (2-point difference)
Norwich
Trainability
Weimaraner is easier to train (2-point difference)
Weimaraner
Drooling Level
Norwich Terrier drools less (1-point difference)
Norwich
Playfulness
Weimaraner is more playful (1-point difference)
Weimaraner
Watchdog / Protective
Weimaraner is more protective (1-point difference)
Weimaraner
The verdict

Choose the Norwich Terrier if…

  • Active families
  • Apartment or small home living
  • Families with older children
  • You value good with strangersNorwich Terrier scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Weimaraner if…

  • Active families with space
  • Hunters
  • Runners and hikers
  • You value trainabilityWeimaraner scores higher here.
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
Weimaraner Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Weimaraner 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