Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small breed of dog belonging to the terrier group and originating from the English county of the same name. The distinguishing traits of the breed are its small size (maximum weight 3,100 kg) and its long, silky coat of blue and tan color. Very popular with the general public and in competitions, this dog nicknamed "Yorkie" was also the origin of other breeds such as the Australian Silky Terrier.

It was in the 19th century that Yorkshire was born, in the English county of the same name. The breed originated in Yorkshire and around Manchester, a rugged region in northern England1. In the middle of the 19th century, Scottish workers in search of work began to settle in the Yorkshire region, bringing with them small burrows which they used for poaching and ridding them of vermin. The small size of the Yorkie allowed its owner to carry it in a saddlebag and take it out if necessary to flush out a rabbit from its hole. The breeding of Yorkies was mainly done by miners and workers employed in cotton and woolen mills in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire2. The breed has three known origins, a male named Old Crab, a female named Kitty and another female whose name has not been retained by history3. Paisley Terrier dogs (a reduced version of the Skye Terrier) also seem to have taken part in the first crosses4. They were selected from Scottish terriers and known as Yorkshire Terriers, as the breed had actually emerged and evolved in that region. In the early days, any terrier-type dog that had long hair with a hint of blue on its body and fawn or silver highlights on its head and legs could compete in the Yorkshire Terrier category, provided that he has his tail and ears cropped. But towards the end of the 1860s, an example of a Paisley Terrier, with typical Yorkshire features and called Huddersfield Ben, whose owner, Mary Ann Foster, lived in Yorkshire, began to dominate dog shows throughout the Kingdom. United, where he imposed the modern type of the race5. Yorkshire Terriers: "Huddersfield Ben" to Mrs Foster and "Katie" to Lady Giffard c. 1870 The Yorkshire Terrier arrived in North America in 18721 and the first Yorkie to be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) was in 1878. Like most terrier breeds from the late 19th century, the Yorkshire gradually moved away from its popular origins and its primitive functions to be adopted by the townspeople and to become a companion dog.

Despite its tiny size, the Yorkshire terrier has retained a typical terrier temperament. He is a very lively, affectionate and stubborn little dog, who greatly appreciates outings in nature. Like any dog, he needs to run, and should not be constantly carried in the arms. He remained a very good mouse and rat killer, but due to his size, he can hardly catch larger animals, although he likes to go and confront them. Although he is naturally unable to physically stop a burglar, his barking makes him an effective watchdog to sound the alarm. Because of its strong character, the Yorkshire terrier requires a firm education. He should be treated like any dog, not a child substitute. Most of the bites from these small dogs often come from improper upbringing. The highly intelligent Yorkshire terrier can be easily trained to learn tricks, or canine sports such as agility.