The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

Nortese

Norwich Terrier / Maltese Mixed Breed Dogs

Information and Pictures

View from the top looking down - A longhaired, white with tan Nortese dog sitting on a tan tiled floor licking its chops.

"Although we have never heard the breed referred to as a "Nortese"—we made up "Terramal"—our dog Scruffy had a Maltese dad and a Norwich Terrier mom. Scruffy was tiny as a puppy. Now he weighs 22 pounds and is a moose. He is absolutely the sweetest, most playful and most friendly dog in the history of dogs with very soft hair and a very pleasant disposition. Unlike our Lhasa Apso—who we also love to bits—and my brother Timmy, he never smells and is very healthy. He was brown and white as a puppy. Now he is snow white all over. He was the dog chosen on the first season of "Groomer Has It" on Animal Planet for the cover of "Groomer" magazine."

Description

The Nortese is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Norwich Terrier and the Maltese. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses.

Recognition
  • ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®
A white with tan Nortese dog is standing partially on a yellow dog bed and in front of it is another dog. They are playing tug-of-war with a plush toy.

Scruffy the Norwich Terrier / Maltese mix as a full-grown adult dog playing tug-of-war

A white with tan Nortese dog is sitting on a human's bed and looking down at another dog laying  in front of it.

Scruffy the Norwich Terrier / Maltese mix as a full-grown adult dog up on the bed

A fluffy white with tan Nortese puppy is standing on a tan couch looking forward.

Scruffy the Norwich Terrier / Maltese mix as a puppy

Side view - A white with tan Nortese puppy is laying on a tan carpet playing with a green and purple rope frog toy.

Scruffy the Norwich Terrier / Maltese mix as a puppy playing with a dog toy

A tan Nortese puppy is tearing apart red and green wrapping paper that has white ribbons. There is a white and black plush toy behind it.

Scruffy the Norwich Terrier / Maltese mix as a puppy chewing up all the Christmas wrapping paper