| Yorkies weren't always the tiny creatures we all have | | | | changing the standard range to 3 to 7 pounds, the |
| grown to love. Yorkshire Terriers originated from | | | | yorkshire terrier has been evolving in popular culture to |
| Yorkshire, England where they typically weighed at the | | | | be tinier and tinier. The most popular type of this breed |
| least 12 pounds, and regularly 20 to 30 pounds. To | | | | is the "teacup yorkie," supposedly able to fit into a |
| imagine a yorkie of this size does require some | | | | teacup. However, pictures of yorkies actually fitting into |
| thought. How odd and archaic, many who are familiar | | | | teacups feature puppies, not adults. |
| with the breed may think. | | | | The teacup yorkie is sought after and adopted at high |
| The ancient yorkshire terrier was bred to catch rats. | | | | prices. Rightfully so, when breeding healthy teacups is |
| This fact is mentionable because the yorkshire terrier | | | | rare. Such breeders are very skilled, experienced, and |
| used to be a working dog, used for its utility. Close | | | | spend a lot of time and effort ensuring the health of |
| ancestors of the breed were also used in hunting | | | | dogs they breed. There are, of course, those breeders |
| parties. These dogs' eyes were covered with hair to | | | | who produce tiny teacups with little regard for the |
| protect from burs. Yorkshire terriers to this day are | | | | health of the mother nor puppy. These breeders are |
| natural pointers, a characteristic very important in the | | | | distinguishable if the adopter is willing to research, ask |
| hunting party. | | | | questions, and be patient in finding their choice of |
| Many characteristics of the archaic yorkie can be | | | | yorkie. |
| seen amongst the breed today. The characteristic | | | | The teacup yorkshire terrier is surely a fad, although |
| most different between yorkshire terriers then | | | | fads are short lived. There is no evidence that this fad |
| compared to today is size. In the 1700's the breed was | | | | will end in the near future. Few people know that large |
| typically 20-30 pounds; in the 1800's it was decided that | | | | yorkies like unto the archaic sized previously mentioned |
| the yorkshire terrier would be a toy breed. The yorkie | | | | still exist. 12 pound yorkies, 20 pound yorkies, they can |
| was one of the first 25 breeds of dogs registered with | | | | be found but are rare. Fortunate for their existence, |
| the American Kennel Club (AKC). | | | | since continuous breeding yorkies smaller and smaller |
| Since the decision to classify the breed as toy, | | | | cannot end well. |