| Understanding today's Yorkshire Terrier means looking | | | | The father of the modern Yorkie is said to be a dog |
| at this dog's ancestry. There seems to be little | | | | called Huddersfield "Ben". Bred by Mr. Eastwood and |
| disagreement about the way in which the modern | | | | owned by Mr. Foster; this was a very popular stud |
| Yorkshire Terrier came to be. Even though there are | | | | dog who had a great influence in the modern breed. |
| no records of the earliest relatives of the Yorkie it's | | | | He won many competitions and is believed to have |
| widely believed that the breed is estimated to is just | | | | set many of the standards for his breed type. |
| over 100 or so years old. The Yorkshire Terrier of the | | | | The British Kennel Club registered the first Yorkies in |
| past was much larger than today's terriers. It's | | | | the British Kennel Club Stud Book in 1874. The |
| surprising but the early versions of today's Yorkies | | | | American Kennel Club started recognizing Yorkshire |
| were working class dogs. | | | | Terriers as a breed in 1885. The first Yorkshire in 1910 |
| From the 11th Century there was a rule that laborers | | | | was the first specimen seen in a German speaking |
| were not allowed to hunt. In order to prevent hunting | | | | area. Known as "Halifax Terriers" these dogs shared |
| laborers were not allowed to own a dog big enough to | | | | the appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier which to this |
| be able to hunt. Dogs had to pass through a small | | | | day has changed very little. The breed standards for |
| hoop (7 inches in diameter) to prove that they were | | | | the Yorkshire Terrier have hardly changed. There are |
| small enough. It was originally bred to be a hunting | | | | some small changes but these relate directly to the |
| dog, catching rats, rabbits and mice to supplement their | | | | new knowledge in matters of canine health. |
| poor owner's diet. | | | | The Yorkshire Terriers of today are brave, loyal and |
| Before the beginning of the Industrial Revolution people | | | | energetic. A loyal guard dog who will be suspicious of |
| lived in small communities and grew up around | | | | strangers and defend their territory. Yorkies like to |
| factories and mines. With the Industrial Revolution | | | | bark but with good training they can be taught not to. |
| came great changes to family life. People were drawn | | | | Some of the cross breeding which results in tiny |
| to the cities seeking work and a better life. | | | | "teacup" varieties can cause health problems for |
| These people brought with them the Paisley Terrier; | | | | today's Yorkshire terriers. Often their skulls are too |
| who were mainly working dogs who used to catch | | | | small and this results in a range of respiratory |
| rats and other small animals. | | | | problems. |
| The Paisley Terrier, or Clydesdale Terrier was | | | | It is widely agreed that the breeding of such "Teacup" |
| crossed with other types of Terriers. The English Black | | | | varieties is cruel and causes all kinds of health and |
| Terrier, the Tan Toy Terrier and the Skye Terrier. The | | | | behavioral problems. Be responsible and buy one of |
| Maltese was also crossed with these to produce long | | | | the more accepted varieties. If you are intending on |
| coats, and a smaller stature. You can still see the | | | | breeding your Yorkshire terrier keep this in mind when |
| similarity in shape between the Maltese and today's | | | | choosing a sire. |
| Yorkies. There aren't any records about the early | | | | Today's Yorkies are energetic, fun and a delight to |
| pedigree to confirm these crosses. There were low | | | | have around. They will keep you entertained for |
| levels of literacy and this led to poor record keeping. It | | | | hours and years to come. |
| is believed that this is the most likely of the crosses. | | | | |