Yorkie Information

Yorkshire Terrier's History

The Yorkshire Terrier dog breed is known to be about 100 years old or so, but its origins are not entirely certain, this may be due to the working men of north England, who developed the Yorkshire Terrier for catching the rats that took over the mine shafts. They were also seen as hunting dogs that could dig deep into badger and fox burrows. It seems likely that Scotsmen seeking work in the woolen mills of Yorkshire brought these various types of terriers with them.

These types of terrier include the Skye and the now extinct Clydesdale. These terriers were then crossed with other types, such as the Leeds Terrier. The Maltese, Black & Tan Manchester, and Dandie Dinmont Terriers may also have contributed blood lines.

At first, the Yorkie was a much bigger animal than the one we see today, but by selectively breeding the smallest individuals, the dog was gradually miniaturized over the years. The Yorki was then made into a fashion dog. Women carried these little dogs in their bags and under their arms. The first Yorkshire, with the characteristics demanded by its standard today, appeared in a dog show in 1870.

Yorkie Appearance

The long, fine, silky coat of the Yorkie parts along the back and falls straight down on either side. The coat is usually steal blue on the body and tail, and tan elsewhere. Puppies are usually black & tan to start. The tail is usually docked. If the dogs are not used for showing, the owners usually go for the shaggy look.

The Yorkie has a flat head, medium-sized length muzzle, a black nose, and regular teeth. The eyes are extremely vivacious and the ears are erect or semi-erect. Its limbs are straight with round feet and black nails. The hair on the head is so full that it is almost always necessary to gather it in a band to keep from going into the dog's food bowl and to give the Yorkie visibility.

Yorkie Temperament

The Yorkshire terrier seems unaware of its small size. This little dog is highly energetic, loyal and clever. The Yorki can be quite affectionate with its master, but will remain very suspicious of strangers. It can be aggressive to strange dogs and small animals. In other words, it has true Terrier heritage. The Yorkshire terrier breed seems to do best with older children.

Yorkies are easy to train, although they can sometimes be stubborn. The breed is demanding and dependant and needs a lot of human attention. The Yorkie makes an excellent watchdog, always defending its territory. They can get snappish if surprised, or over-teased, but are usually very sweet and loving. They can be difficult to housebreak. The Yorkie likes to bark, but it can easily be taught not to do so.

Yorkshire Terrier's Role

The Yorkshire terrier has a role that can be seen as a both a companion dog for an individual and a family dog. The Yorkie is known to be very protective and alert, but also very loving and attentive. They have known personality that some may describe as self-importance and confidence, so the new owner and family must take these characteristics into consideration.