The History of the Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie was bred as a ratter, used to kill mice and rats in small places. As a hunting group, terriers specialize in pursuing animals (usually vermin) that live in dens or
burrows. Animals that are cornered and defending their young, will fight
ferociously. Therefore, any dog that would willingly pursue them must have an
extraordinary degree of courage; terriers are bred for that quality. The
Yorkshire Terrier, with its feisty temperament, is no
exception.
Breed Ancestry
As the name implies, the Yorkshire Terrier originated in Yorkshire County (and the adjoining ManchesterCounty), a rugged region in northern England. In the mid-nineteenth
century, at the peak of England’s industrial revolution, craftsmen from Scotland
came to Yorkshire in search of work and brought with them several different
varieties of small long-coated terriers, generally known as Scottish
terriers. The specific breeds that make up the Yorkshire Terrier’s
ancestry are not known, since the breeders at that time did not keep records of
the bloodlines. Certain breeds, however, are commonly thought to be the
main forebears. The likely source of the Yorkie’s small stature, long-haired
coat and blue color are the Clydesdale, Paisley, Skye and Waterside terriers,
all Scottish terriers transported to England at various times. The English
Black and Tan Terrier bloodline probably gave the Yorkie its signature color
pattern. These breeds were all working dogs, used to keep vermin under control
in the textile mills and coal mines. Many have suggested that the Maltese,
an ancient breed (likely originating in Asia), may be in the Yorkshire Terrier’s
background as well.
The breed first appeared at an 1861 bench show in England as the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier, named for thedog’s Scottish terrier ancestors. Early Yorkies were also known simply asToy Terriers, in both rough and broken haired varieties. Yorkshire
Terriers were given their breed name by 1874.
Huddersfield Ben
In the town of Huddersfield, in Yorkshire County, a dog named Ben was born in 1865. The dog, known asHuddersfield Ben, is universally acknowledged to be the foundation sire of the
Yorkshire Terrier breed. The very public life of this dog, owned by M.A.
Foster, did much to popularize the breed in England. Ben died in an
accident at the age of six, but in his short life he won more than 70 prizes at
dog shows and also demonstrated exceptional skill in ratting contests. By
today’s standards, Ben was a large Yorkie, with only a medium-length coat
(probably due to his active life).
The Yorkie in America
The Yorkshire Terrier was introduced in the United States in 1872. The first Yorkie was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1878, making it one of the first twenty-five
breeds to be approved for registration by the AKC. During the late
Victorian era, the Yorkshire Terrier quickly became a popular pet, and as
Americans embraced Victorian customs, so too did they embrace the Yorkshire
Terrier. The breed’s popularity dipped in the 1940’s, when the percentage
of small breed dogs registered fell to an all-time low of 18% of total
registrations. Smoky, a Yorkie and famous war dog from World War II, is
credited with beginning a renewal of interest in the then obscure Yorkshire
Terrier breed. Based on registrations, Yorkshire Terriers became the #2 most
popular dog breed in the United States in 2006 according to the American Kennel
Club, trailing only the Labrador Retriever.
burrows. Animals that are cornered and defending their young, will fight
ferociously. Therefore, any dog that would willingly pursue them must have an
extraordinary degree of courage; terriers are bred for that quality. The
Yorkshire Terrier, with its feisty temperament, is no
exception.
Breed Ancestry
As the name implies, the Yorkshire Terrier originated in Yorkshire County (and the adjoining ManchesterCounty), a rugged region in northern England. In the mid-nineteenth
century, at the peak of England’s industrial revolution, craftsmen from Scotland
came to Yorkshire in search of work and brought with them several different
varieties of small long-coated terriers, generally known as Scottish
terriers. The specific breeds that make up the Yorkshire Terrier’s
ancestry are not known, since the breeders at that time did not keep records of
the bloodlines. Certain breeds, however, are commonly thought to be the
main forebears. The likely source of the Yorkie’s small stature, long-haired
coat and blue color are the Clydesdale, Paisley, Skye and Waterside terriers,
all Scottish terriers transported to England at various times. The English
Black and Tan Terrier bloodline probably gave the Yorkie its signature color
pattern. These breeds were all working dogs, used to keep vermin under control
in the textile mills and coal mines. Many have suggested that the Maltese,
an ancient breed (likely originating in Asia), may be in the Yorkshire Terrier’s
background as well.
The breed first appeared at an 1861 bench show in England as the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier, named for thedog’s Scottish terrier ancestors. Early Yorkies were also known simply asToy Terriers, in both rough and broken haired varieties. Yorkshire
Terriers were given their breed name by 1874.
Huddersfield Ben
In the town of Huddersfield, in Yorkshire County, a dog named Ben was born in 1865. The dog, known asHuddersfield Ben, is universally acknowledged to be the foundation sire of the
Yorkshire Terrier breed. The very public life of this dog, owned by M.A.
Foster, did much to popularize the breed in England. Ben died in an
accident at the age of six, but in his short life he won more than 70 prizes at
dog shows and also demonstrated exceptional skill in ratting contests. By
today’s standards, Ben was a large Yorkie, with only a medium-length coat
(probably due to his active life).
The Yorkie in America
The Yorkshire Terrier was introduced in the United States in 1872. The first Yorkie was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1878, making it one of the first twenty-five
breeds to be approved for registration by the AKC. During the late
Victorian era, the Yorkshire Terrier quickly became a popular pet, and as
Americans embraced Victorian customs, so too did they embrace the Yorkshire
Terrier. The breed’s popularity dipped in the 1940’s, when the percentage
of small breed dogs registered fell to an all-time low of 18% of total
registrations. Smoky, a Yorkie and famous war dog from World War II, is
credited with beginning a renewal of interest in the then obscure Yorkshire
Terrier breed. Based on registrations, Yorkshire Terriers became the #2 most
popular dog breed in the United States in 2006 according to the American Kennel
Club, trailing only the Labrador Retriever.
