Yorkshire Terrier

Dog

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog breed of terrier type, developed in the 19th century in the county of Yorkshire, England to catch rats in clothing mills. The defining features of the breed are its size, 3 pounds (1.4 kg) to 7 pounds (3.2 kg), and its silky blue and tan coat. The breed is nicknamed Yorkie and is placed in the Toy Terrier section of the Terrier Group by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and in the Toy Group or Companion Group by other kennel clubs, although all agree that the breed is a terrier. A popular companion dog, the Yorkshire Terrier has also been part of the development of other breeds, such as the Australian Silky Terrier.

This little guy may be classified as a Toy dog, but his personality is pure terrier. Spunky and smart, he loves to play, gets along well with cats, and has the ability to rule bigger family dogs with an iron paw. The breed comes with one caveat: His beautiful coat is high maintenance, even if clipped short.

Yorkshire Terriers have long been labeled as the preferred companions of well-heeled, older women who wouldn’t deign to live in a building without a doorman, and who can’t bear to be late for the local arts fundraiser. Yet there aren’t enough society dames out there to account for the Yorkie’s popularity. Truth is, he appeals to a wide range of dog-lovers, thanks to his shoe-button eyes and soft-to-the-touch, silky coat.

The Yorkie is alert, trainable, and insatiably curious, making him a quintessential “big dog in a little dog’s body.” Typically weighing less than seven pounds, Yorkies are the darlings of the purse-dog set, but they also need ample time on the ground. He’ll happily take long walks, and he can be quite a determined — and boisterous — watchdog, as well.

His tough-minded personality aside, the Yorkie isn’t a good choice for families with small children because his own small size puts him at risk of injury. He can also be nippy with overzealous kids, aggressive with other dogs, and obstinate about house-training. Consistent and structured training is a must for the Yorkie, who needs to learn that he can’t challenge every dog that crosses his path. The other obstacle: This naturally yappy guy can never be fully silenced.

Other Quick Facts
The Yorkshire Terrier has an inquisitive temperament — not to mention an impish sense of humor.
Yorkies have stunning blue-and-tan coats, but they’re not born that way. Puppies are black, and their coat color develops as they mature.
Despite their Toy status, these dogs love speed, action, and plenty of applause, so sports such as agility and rally are tailor-made for them.
Show dogs should weigh between four to seven pounds, but pet Yorkies can weigh as much as 12 to 15 pounds. A Yorkie who weighs less than four pounds is more prone to health problems, and more likely to suffer complications while under anesthesia.

The History of Yorkshire Terriers
The Yorkshire Terrier’s bold nature descends directly from his ancestors, which include the long-extinct Clydesdale Terrier and the Black-and-Tan Terrier. Scottish weavers who migrated south to England during tough economic times took their terriers with them to York, Manchester, and Leeds. The weavers ultimately crossbred their little terriers with local dogs, creating the small but feisty terrier known today for its shimmering cloak of blue and gold.

Yorkies proved to be fine ratters in the English woolen mills, a skill they retain to this day. As they became more and more of a companion dog, breeders began to select for smaller size. The dog considered to be the foundation sire of the modern Yorkie, Huddersfield Ben, was born in 1865. At the time, the dogs were called Broken Haired Scotch Terriers or Toy Terriers, but by 1870, they were known as Yorkshire Terriers, after the region where they were first produced. It wasn’t long before these tough ratters morphed into domestic sidekicks for fashionable ladies, and began appearing at dog shows as “fancy terriers.”

By 1872, Yorkshire Terriers had made their way to the U.S., where they quickly became upper-crust favorites and even political mascots. The Nixon family shared the White House with their beloved Yorkie, Pasha. The Yorkshire Terrier currently holds third place among the breeds registered by the American Kennel Club.

Yorkshire Terrier Temperament and Personality
Although the Yorkshire Terrier is a Toy breed, he won’t settle for a boring life. The Yorkie is smart and independent, making him a dog who is both entertaining and notoriously stubborn. Yorkies want to please — until something more interesting strikes their fancy. So if you really want a lazy lap dog, opt for another breed.

Yorkies have two distinct personalities: cuddly and mischievous. Cuddly Yorkies have a perky nature, but they tend to be more laidback. Some people say males are sweeter and more likely to enjoy snuggling, while females are more particular about when — and if — they’ll hang out in your lap.

Yorkies may be tiny, but their bravery is legendary: Smokey, a World War II hero, managed to pull 70 feet of wire through an underground tunnel. Oliver, who lived in upstate New York, saved a woman from a mauling by diverting the other dog’s attention. In fact, the breed’s fearless nature often poses a problem for owners — Yorkies aren’t shy about taking on dogs three times their size!

Most Yorkies respond well to training because they adore all the attention they receive for doing tricks and competing in agility trials. Positive praise and food rewards are key to training this breed. It’s also easy to spoil a Yorkie — he’s just as capable of learning good manners as any other dog, but people who give their puppy a pass because he’s little and cute will find that bad habits in adults are hard to break.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_Terrier