The History Of The Yorkshire Terrier

Article Title: The History Of The Yorkshire Terrier
Author: Susan A Bailey

Yorkshire Terriers, according to Yorkshire Terrier information
sources, originally came from Scotland and bred with native
terriers. The founding father was named Huddersfield Ben.
Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred to kill mice and rats.
There are very few records of dog breeding from this time.
Yorkshire terriers were originally bred to kill rats, not to be
a fashion accessory. They arrived in America as early as 1872
and have never looked back.

If you took a trip back in time to 1870, you probably would
have a hard time recognizing a Yorkshire Terrier. In about one
hundred thirty years, the breed has gone through tremendous
changes in their looks and in their functions. But the Yorkshire
Terrier has adapted to the great changes that the Industrial
Revolution brought to the economy and to family life. Yorkies
back then weighed about thirty pounds and came in more colors
than just blue and tan.

Back in the 1870's, word was getting around about the great
pups from a sire named Huddersfield Ben, who was born in 1865.
Huddersfield Ben was considered an ideal dog – a champion ratter
as well as being friendly and handsome. Any dog that resembled
Huddersfield Ben had to have been from Yorkshire, where Ben
lived. Yorkshire dog breeders kept their breeding methods secret
so they could be assured of buyers. His puppies eventually
became known as Yorkshire Terriers.

Back in 1865 – the year of Huddersfield Ben's birth – dogs were
bred to exhibit useful qualities, not for their looks. There
also was not much interest in keeping breeds pure. There are
very few accurate records of dog breeding at this time. It is
also thought that dog breeding was considered such a secret
business that no records were kept for fear of the knowledge
getting out to competitors. Yorkshire Terriers got their name
because the breed was perfected in Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Terriers were bred to be specialists in killing rats.
They were (and still are) thought to be more reliable at killing
mice and rats than cats. They were also bred to bark when they
found their prey and to let their masters know where they are.
The mining industry thrived in Yorkshire at this time – and the
mines were full of rats. They were until the Yorkshire Terriers
got to work.

As time went on, the need for big working dogs decreased.
People were living in smaller homes and needed smaller dogs they
could physically control easily. The Yorkshire Terrier filled
this niche admirably. They were a hit on both sides of the
Atlantic. Not only did they make great guard dogs, but were
affectionate and did not need a lot of exercise. They were
introduced to America in 1872.

Over the last century, Yorkshire Terriers have become ever
smaller. The original Yorkies were about thirty pounds and came
in several colors. Today's show Yorkies are not to exceed seven
pounds and must be steel blue and tan (and have those colors in
specific proportions). The hot trend is top breed Yorkies that
tip the scales at three pounds, which has lead to concerns about
the health of breeding such small dogs. The Yorkshire Terrier,
as of 2006, is the second most popular purebred dog in America.

About The Author: Susan Bailey loves everything having to do
with dogs, including Yorkshire Terrier history. The
http://www.officialyorkieguide.com/ Yorkshire Terrier has a very
sketchy history at best. There would be a lot fewer abandoned
Yorkies if people studied more
http://www.officialyorkieguide.com/Yorkshire_Terrier.php
Yorkshire Terrier information before they bring a puppy home.

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