REGENCY NORFOLK TERRIERS
OUR FUN TIMES

Play begins early and it is tough work.
Norfolk Terrier pups are very active and love squeeky toys. Play starts early in life and if a toy isn't available, a cardboard roll, newspaper, food pan, or bug in the grass is fair game. Chasing, running, digging, ambushing each other, all are fun games for Norfolk pups. Retrieving and competing for tennis balls is hit at Regency. Of course, getting them to release the tennis ball can result in a game of "tug of war"...but they do bring the ball back. If you treasure your perfectly manicured lawn, don't get a Norfolk. A bug in the grass is a good excuse to start a hole and nose dents and pot holes are lots of fun for a Norfolk.

Introduction to the Varmit
Encouraging a young pup to "work the rat" teaches the Norfolks proper barking and attack techniques. Binky (the caged rat) shows little fear of the pups. The pups, with a few exciting words and gestures from Mom (me), bite, scratch and bark at the varmit (rat). Used as "Go to Ground" dogs, as well as ratters, the Norfolk was carried in a saddle bag during the hunt and was used to bolt the fox once it went into a burrow. A noisy dog would indicate where the master should dig to get the quarry. A silent dog may be lost or missed.

Learning to go in Tunnels
Once acquainted with the varmit, puppies are released into wooden liners on the ground. Learning to run bravely through a dark tunnel comes easily to most Norfolk pups. Once the pup arrives at the rat cage, he is encouraged to bark inside the enclosed box until retrieved and praised by me. Binky was a great rat to stir the puppies up. He was always trying to make friends with the puppies and touching noses with them, as to say: "Hey little guy, I am almost as big as you. What is your problem?" Binky is now replaced with NB, who bites and squeeks at the puppies....much more exciting. (Binky died of natural causes in his cage..RIP Binky - the nicest rat a gal could own.)

Getting Expert Instruction
Working an older dog with a pup can be tricky. There is nothing like an experienced dog to get the pups excited and over any concern about a dark liner (tunnel). It is easy to follow the "brave" big dog, but you have to have a dog that accustom to puppies and that won't turn on the pup. Here Pepe demonstates his know how on "working the rat". Pepe is great with the puppies and spends some of his time teaching them his favorite games.

Norfolks Are All Terrier
Norfolks love a good game of Tug of War. They are all tough and determined. You have to be fast, and you had better watch your fingers if you are going to play this game. They also love water (see Star Wars) and love to swim and bath in their pools.

Some Great Places To Visit

AKC Earthdog Regulations
ANTA Earthdog Pages
ANTA Flatracing Pages
ANTA Lurecoursing
ANTA Agility Pages

regencynorfolks@yahoo.com