Norwich TerrierVSWest Highland White Terrier

The Norwich Terrier is known for being affectionate, fearless, sociable, while the West Highland White Terrier is typically described as confident, loyal, entertaining. These distinct personality traits mean each breed offers a different kind of companionship.

When it comes to playfulness, the Norwich Terrier has the edge with a 5/5 rating compared to the West Highland White Terrier's 4/5. If you're looking for a dog that's always ready for a game of fetch, the Norwich Terrier is your pick.

Noise-wise, the West Highland White Terrier is more vocal with a barking level of 4/5, while the Norwich Terrier is quieter at 3/5. If you prefer a calmer household, the Norwich Terrier may be the better choice.

The Norwich Terrier is a small breed standing 24–26 cm (9–10 in) tall and weighing 5–6 kg (11–13 lbs). In comparison, the West Highland White Terrier is a small breed at 25–28 cm (10–11 in) and 6–10 kg (13–22 lbs).

These two breeds are quite similar in size, so space and food requirements will be comparable for either choice.

The Norwich Terrier has a wiry coat available in red, wheaten, black and tan, grizzle, while the West Highland White Terrier sports a wiry coat in white. Coat type significantly impacts grooming needs and shedding, which we cover below.

The Norwich Terrier has high energy (4/5) with moderate exercise needs (3/5). The West Highland White Terrier has moderate energy (3/5) and moderate exercise needs (3/5).

Both breeds have similar exercise requirements, so your daily activity routine won't change much regardless of which you choose. Plan for regular walks and play sessions to keep either breed content.

For apartment dwellers, the Norwich Terrier is the stronger choice with an apartment-friendliness score of 5/5, compared to the West Highland White Terrier's 4/5. The West Highland White Terrier generally does better with access to a yard or larger living space.

Both breeds shed at a similar rate (2/5), so you can expect comparable amounts of loose fur from either one.

Grooming-wise, the West Highland White Terrier needs more upkeep (4/5) than the Norwich Terrier (3/5). The West Highland White Terrier's wiry coat demands regular professional grooming to stay in top shape.

Annual grooming costs average around $200 for the Norwich Terrier and $400 for the West Highland White Terrier. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The Norwich Terrier has a lifespan of 12–15 years, while the West Highland White Terrier lives 13–15 years. The West Highland White Terrier generally has a longer lifespan.

In terms of overall health robustness, the Norwich Terrier scores 4/5 compared to the West Highland White Terrier's 3/5. The Norwich Terrier is generally a hardier breed with fewer genetic health concerns.

Common health issues for the Norwich Terrier include upper airway syndrome, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation. The West Highland White Terrier is prone to atopic dermatitis, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, pulmonary fibrosis. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

Annual vet costs average $400 for the Norwich Terrier and $450 for the West Highland White Terrier. Pet insurance is worth considering for either breed.

The Norwich Terrier is easier to train with a trainability score of 4/5, making it more suitable for first-time dog owners. The West Highland White Terrier scores 3/5 and may require more patience and experience during training sessions.

Both breeds match in intelligence at 4/5, so expect similar learning speeds and mental stimulation needs from either choice.

Regardless of which breed you choose, early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are key to raising a well-behaved dog. Puppy classes are a great investment for either breed.

Both the Norwich Terrier and West Highland White Terrier score 4/5 for intelligence, putting them on equal footing mentally. They'll learn commands at similar speeds and need comparable amounts of mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved.

These breeds excel in different types of intelligence. The Norwich Terrier leans toward adaptive intelligence — reading human emotions, adapting to new environments, and solving unfamiliar problems. The West Highland White Terrier, on the other hand, shows strong instinctive intelligence — excelling at breed-specific tasks through natural instinct rather than learned behavior.

For either breed, mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, scent work, and interactive toys keep intelligent dogs engaged and prevent the boredom that leads to chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

For families with children, the Norwich Terrier is the stronger choice, scoring 4/5 for kid-friendliness compared to the West Highland White Terrier's 3/5. The Norwich Terrier's affectionate nature makes it a natural fit for households with young ones.

If you have other pets, the Norwich Terrier tends to get along better with other dogs (4/5) than the West Highland White Terrier (3/5). Proper introductions are still important, but the Norwich Terrier is naturally more sociable with canine companions.

The initial purchase price for a Norwich Terrier ranges from $2,000–$3,500, while a West Highland White Terrier typically costs $800–$1,800. The Norwich Terrier has a higher upfront cost.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $900 for the Norwich Terrier and $1,270 for the West Highland White Terrier. The West Highland White Terrier costs more annually, largely because of higher food costs.

Monthly food costs run about $25 for the Norwich Terrier and $35 for the West Highland White Terrier. Over a typical lifespan, the total cost of ownership can differ by thousands of dollars, so it's worth factoring in the long-term financial commitment.