| If you are looking for a dog that weighs only a few | | | | 3 and 7 pounds. Today, the American Kennel Club |
| pounds with a big spirit, the Yorkshire terrier or Yorkie | | | | breed standard for a Yorkie is 7 pounds. |
| may be just for you. The background of the Yorkie | | | | The Yorkshire terrier is a very popular breed in the |
| goes back to the 18th century. During the Industrial | | | | United States. Two very excellent breeders who |
| Revolution in England, Scotsmen left their country and | | | | raised and showed Yorkies in the 1950s, 1960s and |
| headed south looking for work in England. They | | | | 1970s were the sisters Joan Gordon and Janet |
| brought their families and dogs. Their dogs included | | | | Bennett of the Wildweir Kennels. Their English import |
| Skye Terriers, Paisley Terriers and Clydesdale | | | | Ch. Little sir Model was the first Yorkie to win an |
| Terriers. The breeds ranged in size from 6 pounds to | | | | all-breed best in Show. |
| 20 pounds. They were all fairly heavily coated. Some | | | | At the present time the breed places in the top ten |
| had a silky texture to their coat. All carried blue-tan or | | | | breeds in popularity of the AKC breeds. It continues to |
| gray coat colors. A common breed in Yorkshire, | | | | hold a number-one ranking as a Toy dog in America. |
| England at the time was the Waterside Terrier. | | | | Throughout all time the Yorkshire terrier has remained |
| The present-day Yorkshire Terrier is a combination of | | | | a favorite of the public. |
| these four breeds. The beautiful long-coated dog with | | | | Every breed of dog registered with the American |
| a silky steel blue and tan coat is prized as one of the | | | | Kennel Club (AKC) has an official standard to help |
| smallest dogs in the world and the most popular toy | | | | breeders and fanciers to understand the |
| breed. | | | | characteristics that define the particular breed. The |
| By the 1850's, Yorkies were being shown in England. | | | | standard tells us what makes the breed different from |
| The standard weight fell anywhere between 5 and 18 | | | | every other breed. A Yorkie's coat is blue and tan and |
| pounds. By 1886, the English Kennel Club recognized | | | | floor length. There is a standard set for the Yorkie's |
| the breed as the Yorkshire terrier and placed it in the | | | | ears, muzzle and tail to look a certain way. These |
| newly formed Toy Group. Currently the Yorkie reigns | | | | characteristics are sought out by breeders, as well as |
| in the top ten breeds in popularity in Britain. | | | | the Yorkie's typical temperament and personality as |
| The first recorded Yorkie whelped in the United States | | | | described in the standard. The standard for the Yorkie |
| was in 1872. At first, the American Kennel Club divided | | | | as compared to other breeds is short. The largest |
| the breed classes by weight: Under 5 pounds and | | | | section is on the coat, which is very important for the |
| over 5 pounds. The larger weight class had few | | | | breed. If one is going to show a Yorkie, the correct |
| entries. Therefore it was decided to have one weight | | | | coat and color are of most concern. |
| class for all Yorkies, specifying weight range between | | | | |