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The homeland of the Yorkie is considered to be England, Yorkshire. At the end of the 19th century. the dogs were used in coal mines to catch rats, then the breed became popular among the nobility and among hunters. Ladies loved to comb the silky fur of the Yorkie, and hunters valued the dogs for their courage in hunting badgers and foxes. It is not known for sure where Yorkshire terriers came from. Most likely, the breed was the result of crossing local small terriers with Skye terriers and related breeds brought from Scotland. It is also believed that to improve the coat, Yorkshire terriers were bred with Maltese dogs. There is even a whole line of Yorkies with white markings (Biewer Yorkies) that are not recognized by the FCI, but have a lot of adherents. The breed appeared in Russia quite recently (only at the end of the 20th century), but quickly spread throughout the country and is now very popular. Description of the breed and maintenance of YorkiesExternally, the Yorkshire Terrier is a small, proportional dog with a slightly elongated body, small head with a rather short muzzle and small triangular ears. The eyes are small, dark and shiny, and should not be protruding. Yorkies have straight legs and the tail is usually docked halfway. Yorkshire Terrier coat careNaturally, such wool needs constant care. Yorkshire Terriers are washed frequently and brushed daily. Also daily care require eyes. To avoid damage, the hair of show dogs is put away in curlers, and at the show the hair on the head is collected in a special tail (top knot). If the dog is not shown, you can trim the coat about once every 3 months, which greatly simplifies care. Despite the long hair, shedding in the Yorkshire Terrier goes unnoticed, because... he has no undercoat. In general, the dog is very convenient for keeping in apartments. Spending a few minutes a day combing your hair is not difficult. But Yorkies do not take up space, they can be litter trained, like cats, they do not require long walks, but can go with you in your bag to the ends of the earth. Character and characteristics of the breedYorkies have a typically “terrier” disposition. This is a real brave dog, active, constantly on the move, inquisitive and cheerful. Yorkies have a great sense of humor, are loyal and love attention. These are nimble pranksters, ready to perform tricks to attract the attention of their adored owner. They are very wary of strangers and can be good guards, despite their small size. Males are often bullies and provoke other dogs when walking, so they need to be socialized from childhood. Get them accustomed to the company of other dogs right away. In addition, Yorkies need firm guidance and training, otherwise they can grow up capricious and disobedient. |
Often surprises its established owners with its unexpectedly persistent character. Many fans of charming miniature dogs They don’t think about the disposition of the future pet, it would seem that they put it in a bag, bought a jacket and the four-legged one is happy, but everything is not so simple.
The term "terrier" indicates belonging to the hunting class. “Terra” is translated from Latin as earth, and “terrier” is interpreted as a burrowing dog. In the middle of the 19th century, Yorkies were real working dogs themselves, and bravely fought with rats. Great Britain has always elevated dogs to a special status; there were times when commoners were prohibited from owning large or hunting four-legged dogs. Early Yorkies were not subject to the ban, which was what farmers took advantage of. The breed was bred in the northern part of England, more precisely, in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Owners of tireless hunters always took their pets on sea and foot trips, thus the breed spread throughout the state and throughout the world.
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This is interesting! Yorkies and their ancient ancestors have been carried on arms since the Renaissance! It is not surprising that modern representatives of the breed are able to take a graceful pose on the curved arm of the owner from birth.
Skills, needs, character traits
The character of the Yorkshire Terrier and its obedience are completely different concepts. The innate characteristics of the breed amaze everyone who is not familiar with the breed. To begin with, the Yorkie considers himself at least a Shepherd, without hesitation he rushes into battle, protecting the owner, puppies or his territory. Despite the general knowledge of this fact, every year many representatives of the breed suffer in fights with larger relatives. Trouble can be avoided by walking your dog on a leash and avoiding “sworn enemies”, this especially applies to males.
This is interesting! Successful owners call their tiny charges lions. Perhaps the nickname quite accurately describes the fearless nature of the breed.
Yorkies can be mischievous! The active temperament of a hunter should not be confined to an apartment, a carrier or a bag; the Yorkie needs an active walk and games. Despite its size, the breed is distinguished by its persistence, especially if the dog is confident that it is right. Remember that torn pillows, damaged wires and shoes are an indicator of unmet physical needs of the pet.
Advice: If you live in your own house with a fenced area, energy costs problems are solved automatically. But! Be vigilant, they dig well and love this activity. Think in advance about the safety of the beds and the depth of the fence foundation.
Don't be fooled! Yorkies are natural strategists, endowed with a keen mind and the ability to manipulate. Do not give in to the offended look and the sight of trembling paws, otherwise the bad habits can't be avoided! Yorkshire terriers need full education, socialization and training. If your commands are clearly ignored, the dog should receive composure in response. Believe me genetic memory The presence of four-legged animals creates in them a great need for humans and this must be used for educational purposes.
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Important! Yorkshire Terriers should absolutely not be physically punished, otherwise the dog will take revenge.
Yorkies are running away! Again a question of training. It is worth understanding that the character of a hunter is hidden under the luxurious fur and cute face. A pet may chase a bird or a cat without thinking about the consequences. If you are not sure that your dog is under control, do not let it off the leash during walks! By the way, snatching the leash from the owner’s hands is also not a problem for a Yorkie, so don’t be fooled by the small size of the ward.
Yorkies love company, but need their own space! It is a mistake to believe that a four-legged animal needs the care and company of its owner around the clock. The pet should be able to relax in silence and go about its doggy business, whatever that means. Not understanding the needs of the breed, inexperienced owners take their four-legged animals with them always and everywhere. The dog is happy to receive the attention of the owner and others, and the situation does not arouse suspicion. However, after a few months or a year, the pet begins to suffer from neuroses, becomes overly excited or aggressive, and these are direct consequences of ongoing stress.
Is a Yorkie right for you?
Character description is far from a universal indicator and many nuances depend on upbringing. If you rely on luck and do not train your ward, you should prepare for devastating consequences. Before buying a Yorkshire Terrier, soberly assess your capabilities, since in the next 13–16 years your pet will need:
Although small, they are very brave. They are not afraid of larger rivals and very agile.
Thanks to their qualities they helped people, both in peacetime and in war.
The history of the Yorkshire Terrier is rich. Learn more about this energetic dog breed and several interesting facts from her history.
History of a famous dog breed
1. Yorkshire Terriers were originally rat catchers.
These little dogs trace their ancestry to several terrier breeds including Clydesdale Terriers, Paisley Terriers and Waterside Terriers .
Miners, weavers and businessmen in Scotland used little killers to getting rid of rodents.
Because of their large sizes they could penetrate small spaces and hunt rats. Yorkshire Terriers were also used in hunting to chase prey out of their dens.
2. Yorkshire Terrier dogs for the poor.
Initially, the owners of these dogs were peasants, since according to the rules they couldn't start big dogs to avoid poaching on the lands of the nobility.
3. Weavers brought the Yorkshire Terrier to England.
In the early 19th century, with the onset of industrialization, many people moved to big cities Looking for a job. When they arrived in England, they brought these small dogs with them. The animals soon took root, began to reproduce and even, starting in 1861, to perform at dog shows.
4. They were originally Scotch Terriers.
Before they appeared in England they were called Scotch Terriers. Journalist Angus Sutherland suggested changing their name. He believed that, despite their Scottish origins, the breed was perfected and improved in Yorkshire, England. People agreed, and in 1870 the name was changed.
5. One dog in particular must be thanked for the success of the breed - Huddersfield Ben.
Many believe that the father of the breed is an early Yorkshire Terrier named Huddersfield Ben, born in 1965. The dog was a champion at catching rats and strong opponent at various dog shows. He won more than 70 awards.
Although the dog was quite heavy (about 5 kg), his offspring were not very large, weighing about 2.3 kg. Ben lived only 6 years, but left behind an impressive offspring: most of the Yorkies that perform at shows today are distant relatives of Ben.
6. The first therapy dog was a Yorkshire terrier.
When American soldier Bill Wynne found a Yorkshire terrier in a trench during World War II, he named him Smoky and took him with him. Together they traveled to New Guinea, and soon Smokey began helping the soldier in his work.
Thanks to her loyalty and obedience to her owner, as well as her small size, Smoky could get through narrow pipes and communication wires under the Japanese airfield.
Without her help, the soldiers would have to dig trenches and be under constant fire from enemy forces.
Smokey also worked in hospitals as therapy dogs for wounded soldiers. After the war, she began to perform some roles in Hollywood, and also appear on various television shows.
When Smokey passed away, a monument was erected in her memory in Cleveland, Ohio.
7. The Yorkshire Terrier was used to develop a new breed - the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier.
In 1984, a small Yorkshire terrier named Schneeflocken von Friedheck was born. Its peculiarity was spots of blue, white and golden colors. Werner and Gertrude Beaver(Werner Biewer, Gertrud Biewer), who were breeding dogs, decided to use this feature to develop a new breed of dogs.
They managed to create a new breed of dogs, which they called Biewer Yorkshire Terrier.
8. They make funny noises (reverse sneezing).
The sounds that the Yorkshire Terrier makes are called reverse sneezing. Instead of "pushing" air out of the nose, as humans do when sneezing, dogs begin a series of sharp, convulsive breaths, which is accompanied by some kind of grunting.
And although some dog owners are scared of this reaction, reverse sneezing is not dangerous and goes away within a few minutes. This usually occurs due to irritants such as pollen, dust, cleaning products and perfumes.
9. Yorkshire Terrier in the Guinness Book of Records.
Yorkshire Terrier Sylvia from England became the smallest dog in history. As an adult, her height at the withers was only 6.35 cm, and weight 113.4 grams.
10. A dog for allergy sufferers.
Yorkshire Terrier is suitable for people suffering from allergies.
The fur of these dogs has the same structure as human hair, so it does not shed and is odorless.
11. Yorkshire terrier puppies sleep for a long time.
The first few weeks after birth, Yorkshire Terrier puppies sleep 90% of the time.
12. Brave dog.
On average, a Yorkshire terrier weighs about 3 kg, but they don't know it themselves, and therefore they are not afraid of larger animals.
One day a small dog of this breed saved an elderly woman from more large dog from the Akita breed. The opponent was 8 times heavier, but lost, and the Yorkshire terrier needed 9 stitches after the battle.
A miniature dog with long, silky hair and expressive dark eyes captivates with its beauty. Indeed, the Yorkshire Terrier has become a favorite breed of fashionable ladies and show business stars, accompanying their dazzling owners at social parties and appearing on the covers of glossy magazines. The ability to behave absolutely indifferently in front of strangers, sitting in the arms or in the owner’s bag with the air of a royal person, touches casual viewers who certainly want to buy the same dog. But the Yorkshire Terrier is not only decorative dog, modern dogs This breed has the hot temperament of their ancestors.
The Yorkshire Terrier has an ancient and glorious origin, and although its history is shrouded in mystery and mystification, and there are few documented facts, one thing is certain: this The breed originated in the British Isles. As early as the second century BC, in the manuscripts of a Roman naturalist who landed on the islands, there were records of small dogs fearlessly fighting rats underground.
In the fourteenth century, terriers, thanks to sea routes, spread throughout Europe. A couple of centuries later, a professor at Cambridge University described miniature dogs with long, flowing, silky hair, from which the Yorkshire Terrier breed originated. And although the Waterside Terrier is considered the ancestor of the breed, Every Yorkie has the blood of numerous small terriers and even a Maltese.
Interesting! The favorite of glamorous people was created by real commoners from the county of Yorkshire, who created a new breed not at all to shine in society, but to catch numerous rats. The new breed of dog had to be small in order to dexterously penetrate into secluded corners, and its long hair served as a kind of protective mantle from the sharp teeth of rats.
Later, already in 1886, the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club of England and received an official name after the name of the county from which the majority were represented. best representatives. Initially, the size and format of Yorkshire terriers varied from super-small specimens to relatively large and even huge ones. Breeders paid much more attention to the length and silkiness of the coat, its unique color, than anatomical features. Mine perfect view The breed acquired its name already in the twentieth century.
The purpose of Yorkshire Terriers
The Yorkshire Terrier dog breed is designed to be a real family dog, able to deftly rid the home of its owners of rodents and other small pests. But with the development of the breed and over time, the skills of a rat catcher ceased to be a priority, and the incredible charm and amazing beauty of small dogs came to the fore. Today, the main purpose of the breed is the ability to give love and mass positive emotions the owner and his family members.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a wonderful companion for the whole family. These dogs do an excellent job of catching small rodents. Dogs of this breed are ideal for both single people and large families. A small dog can be seen in the arms of an aging lady and surrounded by a noisy gang of children, since it is in the nature of the Yorkshire Terrier to always be the center of attention and get real pleasure from it.
Breed standard, description and photographs
The overall impression is that of a graceful, small animal with a strong, well-proportioned build and proud bearing. The regal appearance is created by the long, smooth coat that flows to the ground. The Yorkshire Terrier always looks confident and feels free in any company.
Photo. Yorkshire Terrier dog
Yorkshire Terrier in the photo
Here are the main characteristics of these dogs:
- The body of the animal is strong, compact, strong, with a straight back, muscular loin and a short, straight croup. The chest is moderately deep, with rounded ribs and a smooth underline. The tail is of medium length, docked to the required size, set high, carried above the level of the back, covered long hair dark silver color.
- The forelimbs are straight, parallel to each other, with a sloping shoulder, and covered with golden hair. Hind limbs straight, with moderately pronounced angles, paws arched, strong, black claws.
- The head is medium in size with a small, flat skull and not too long muzzle. The jaws are strong, straight, with small, strong teeth and a scissor bite. Full teeth are desirable.
- The eyes are medium-sized, round, but not protruding, straight set, dark in color, very expressive. The look is cheerful and lively, the rims of the eyes are dark, the eyelids are tight-fitting. Ears are small triangular shape, standing, not too widely spaced. The fur on the ears should be clipped to highlight its shape.
- The coat is long, flowing, straight, with a silky texture, not wavy or fluffy. The color is steel, dark from the base of the tail to the back of the head. On the head and chest the color is golden; at the roots the tan is always richer and darker than at the ends of the hair. On the back the color is uniform, without interspersed brown or bronze hairs. Interestingly, in the Yorkshire Terrier evaluation sheet, the largest number of points is assigned to the quantity and quality of the coat, as well as the depth and correctness of the color.
- Movements are free, balanced, energetic, the perky raised tail indicates the cheerful character of a real terrier.
Important! Yorkshire Terrier puppies are black at birth with small spots of red tan. Even the breeder cannot predict how deep their color will be as adults. Only by the age of one year do the puppies begin to bloom and acquire the color characteristic of the breed.
Personality of Yorkshire Terrier dogs
Temperamental and courageous, the Yorkshire Terrier is not the pampered parlor dog that it is mistakenly portrayed as. A dog of this breed is quite capable of standing up for itself, rushing to the owner’s defense and even biting the offender. A bully and a desperate daredevil, he really does not like familiarity, and can bite a stranger who decides to stroke his shiny fur.
Yorkshire Terriers are temperamental and courageous dogs. They constantly hunt small animals and insects. The protective qualities of the Yorkshire Terrier, due to its small stature, do not matter to the owners, but the dog is an excellent watchman, greeting any guest with a loud bark or reacting with a menacing growl to suspicious noise.
Yorkshire Terriers are natural hunters. The dog loves to look for traces of animals in the park and never misses an opportunity to hunt a lizard or a large beetle. The neighbor's cat may also be the subject of persecution. A dog of this breed, once in a village farmstead, will definitely start chasing poultry.
The Yorkshire Terrier is not a toy or a funny animal at all, it is a person capable of selfless love and possessing courage large dog. An intelligent and humorous dog, with proper education, becomes an ideal companion, devoted friend and constant companion.
Subtleties of training Yorkies
One of the characteristics of the Yorkshire Terrier is early adulthood. The one-year-old dog is already fully formed, both physically and emotionally. Very often, it is this age limit that becomes an unexpected unpleasant surprise for owners: an obedient and sweet dog becomes a real prankster, loses his neatness skills, and shows aggression.
Most often, such a change in behavior becomes sudden only for owners who are not attentive to small signals that appear periodically. For example, the dog growled when trying to comb him, became annoying, and constantly begs at the table. At the same time, inexperienced owners satisfy all his desires, finding justification for such behavior.
Growing up, the dog understands that it is he who is the main one in the family, and begins to behave as he pleases. For this reason, raising and training a puppy (including ring training for show animals) should begin early, from the first moment of meeting a new family.
Yorkshire terriers are highly trainable and are happy to learn new commands, but if not trained they can become aggressive. There is no need to make allowances for the dog’s tender age or small size. A general training course will turn an eccentric puppy into a well-mannered, self-controlled dog. These dogs will easily learn to “Sit” and “Lie down”, learn.
Important! You should not treat your pet as an ornament or a toy. Yorkshire Terrier puppies are very cute and funny, but inside every baby there is a stubborn and courageous terrier that needs firm and consistent training.
Dogs of this breed are good at grasping everything new, they are able to remember a large number of words and phrases, but endurance exercises are difficult for them. And yet, it’s hard not to be surprised when you look at how calmly and patiently an adult Yorkshire terrier endures all manipulations with its fur, and how motionless it stands in the exhibition stand.
Attitude towards children and animals
Yorkshire Terriers are very sociable and will easily make friends with other pets. Yorkshire Terriers are eternal children, they are always ready to play and have fun, so they are happy to communicate with children. It’s interesting that when walking, other people’s children do not cause aggression or hostility in them, but if a hooligan boy wants to offend his little mistress, the dog will definitely come to his defense. In a family, a dog of this breed becomes a true devoted friend for the child, and a warm, trusting relationship is established between them.
If there are other pets in the house besides the Yorkie, then the puppy will definitely try to make friends with them. Puppies of this breed are friendly and inquisitive. An adult dog may react warily to a brought kitten or puppy, try to scare the stranger, or even bite. Over time, he will change his anger to mercy and begin to patronize the baby, even if he grows several times larger than him.
The small size of the Yorkshire Terrier does not at all detract from its great desire to command those of lower status. A new adult animal can cause strong jealousy in the owner and completely change his behavior in the house. The male most often begins to uncontrollably mark his territory, the females lose their neatness skills and spoil things.
Important! The danger for a dog of this breed is represented by babies who have just learned to walk. They may fall on a sleeping puppy, drop a heavy toy on him, or hurt him by grabbing his ear or tail. An adult dog may react to such behavior by growling or even biting the child, and the puppy will be frightened or injured.
How to properly care for a Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is the most labor-intensive dog breed in terms of coat care. The long and silky coat has a special, unique structure reminiscent of human hair. Just like hair, it quickly becomes dirty, the dog begins to look unkempt and smells terrible. The animal has to be bathed several times a week, and for bathing it is purchased special shampoo and a whole line of care products: balms, oils, conditioners.
The Yorkshire Terrier's coat requires constant care. If the dog does not attend exhibitions, it is better to take it for a haircut. Puppies of this breed have short fur that grows constantly and by the age of two the dog looks just great, provided that the coat is well cared for. Show dogs They are forced to walk in curlers all the time, as the wool becomes tangled and spoiled by grass, dust and street dirt. The dog is brushed daily. If the owners do not plan a show career for their pet, then it is better for the dog to get a haircut to make grooming easier.
In addition to the usual haircut, the Yorkshire Terrier receives a hygiene grooming approximately once every two weeks. First, carefully trim the hairs that bristle near the eyes and can injure them. Then the hairs inside the ears are plucked out, which is very painful, so the inside of the ear is pre-treated with a special anesthetic. The fur around the paws is carefully trimmed, and between the toes is trimmed. The hair near the anus is removed so that excrement does not stain it.
In order to keep the coat in order and protect the dog from the cold, and the delicate paw pads from street dirt and reagents, the Yorkshire Terrier is given clothes. Overalls of various styles and colors for cold days, warm sweaters and raincoats for the off-season, as well as summer cotton clothes. In clothes, the dog's fur becomes less wrinkled and dirty, and it does not freeze. They begin to accustom a puppy to wearing overalls or boots early, so that the adult dog is calm about it.
Tartar builds up quickly on your Yorkie's teeth, so they should be cleaned regularly. The breed characteristic of the Yorkshire Terrier is increased viscosity saliva. This leads to a slow cleansing of food particles from the dog's teeth and rapid formation of tartar. The puppy must be taught to brush his teeth special brush With early age, when the dog becomes an adult, it will calmly treat any manipulations in the oral cavity. Animals that are not accustomed to brushing their teeth must be euthanized for plaque removal procedures.
Tears often flow from the dog's eyes, as the eyes are injured by dust particles or hairs sticking out on the face. Tears dry out, forming tracks, the fur underneath them remains wet, microorganisms actively multiply there, and inflammation begins skin. To prevent these consequences, wipe the eyes with a special lotion daily.
If the dog does not walk much, then his claws grow so much that they cause discomfort, They can get caught on a carpet or other object and tear, which is very painful. Overgrown claws must be trimmed with a special guillotine or nail clipper. This is done very carefully, literally millimeter by millimeter, so as not to touch the tissue containing nerve endings and blood vessels.
Yorkie's diet
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest breeds and eats little, but this does not mean that the dog can be fed table scraps. Digestive system These babies are prone to various malfunctions, the pancreas is especially vulnerable. Acute pancreatitis is the most common diagnosed disease that can be fatal.
To stay healthy, The Yorkshire Terrier needs split meals with a minimum amount of animal fat in the diet.. For dogs of this breed, you should choose one type of food: ready-made food or natural food. Mix dry food and natural products It is impossible, just as it is impossible to give both types of food on the same day.
Yorkshire Terrier dogs are fed either natural food or premium and super-premium dry food. Among ready-made feed It is preferable to choose those that contain products for Yorkshire terriers, or for animals with sensitive digestion. These are feeds such as, “ANF”, “Nutra Gold”. They belong to the premium class segment.
If you decide to feed your pet natural food, then the main products in the diet should be raw and boiled meat: beef, turkey or rabbit. Meat pieces are mixed with poached carrots or green salad, pre-steamed oatmeal or rice flakes are added. Kefir or fermented baked milk is given every night at night. In between meals, you are allowed to treat your pet with fresh fruit.
Yorkshire Terrier Health
Gum inflammation is a common problem among Yorkshire Terriers. Like many representatives of decorative breeds, Yorkshire terriers live a long time, often exceeding the age limit of 13-15 years. The dog will be healthy and cheerful if the owner devotes a lot of time to caring for him, feeds him properly and visits him regularly veterinary clinic. Otherwise, the dog may suffer from huge amount acquired diseases digestive tract, skin, oral cavity.
The most commonly diagnosed:
- Pancreatitis.
- Dermatitis and dermatoses.
- Food and drug allergies.
- Periodontitis and.
Special attention It is necessary to pay attention to the desire of people to purchase very small dogs, with a short muzzle and large eyes. Dwarfism is always accompanied by anomalies internal organs, congenital diseases. Such a pet may suffer from heart disease, disorders reproductive system, weak immunity, various metabolic disorders.
In addition to health problems, dwarf dogs suffer from mental disorders. This is constant, causeless barking, cowardice, hysterics, and the desire for constant protection.
Pros and cons of the breed
The advantages of the Yorkshire Terrier are:
The disadvantages of the breed are:
- A large cost item for maintaining a pet of this breed.
- The dog needs constant attention because it does not like to be alone.
- The dog needs regular and labor-intensive care.
Important! The pet needs a fairly strict upbringing, since the Yorkshire Terrier is inclined to mistake the owner’s gentleness and compliance for an inability to be a leader. In this case, the dog begins to literally lead the family members, dictating its own rules to them.
How to choose a puppy and what to look for
The popularity of the breed led to the fact that, in pursuit of big money, Yorkshire terriers began to be bred by people who were far from understanding the true standard of the breed. On message boards you can see photographs of puppies that only vaguely resemble Yorkies, so you need to be especially picky when choosing a breeder. Right choice The breeder will allow you to purchase a puppy without congenital pathologies, with a strong nervous system.
Photo. Yorkshire terrier puppy
Yorkshire terrier puppy in the photo
The baby should be cheerful and sociable, want to meet guests, play with littermates, that is, behave actively and boldly. At the age of two months, when puppies begin to look for a new family, they look like funny babies with short, spiky fur and triangular ears.
Despite his small stature, he should have a strong build, straight paws without signs of splay or clubfoot, and a provocatively sticking tail. An excellent pet can be purchased at a large kennel that professionally breeds dogs of this breed:
- In Moscow: nursery “JOY JELY”, website http://yorki-joy-jely.ru, cost from 700 dollars.
- In St. Petersburg: Dan Style nursery, website http://denstail.ru/index.html, cost from $850.
The decorative breed Yorkshire Terrier has several variants of its origin, so scientists have not agreed on the appearance of these small creatures. But their opinions coincide on one thing - the ancestors of modern Yorkies were wolf-like dogs that lived many centuries ago. This judgment is based on the same set of chromosomes in ancient and modern dogs. From this article you will learn the main versions of the appearance of Yorkshire Terrier dogs.
Despite the fact that there is practically no documentation or precise evidence telling about the origin of dogs, scientists believe that ancient terrier-like rat catchers can be considered their ancestors. To confirm this version, they cite the works of the writer Apir, who lived in the second century BC, in which he mentions a miniature terrier named Agass.
The manuscripts of the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, who lived in the first century AD, also describe miniature dogs discovered by the Romans in the British Isles. Many archaeologists, based on these records, believe that the history of Yorkshire Terrier dogs begins precisely with the British Isles, from where sailors took them to different countries.
In the seventh century AD, the Frankish king Dagobert I passed a law prohibiting killing hunting dog, in its description reminiscent of a modern Yorkie.
Dr. J. Caius, personal doctor of Elizabeth I Tudor, Queen of England, published a book in 1570 in which he mentions miniature dogs - owners of a silky and shiny coat that falls down the sides of the body to the ground. He associates their origin with local small terriers, which were kept by small game hunters.
In Scotland, King James VI of Scotland (aka James I of England), who reigned in 1605, describes in his works Scottish burrow dogs, which were similar in appearance to the Yorkie of our day.
Long-haired terriers with silky hair are also mentioned in their records:
- Dr. Johnson in 1773;
- Thomas Bell in 1837.
Major versions
Version one
The Yorkshire Terrier dog breed, which arose relatively recently - in the second half of the nineteenth century - was bred in Great Britain.
It is worth noting this interesting fact, that initially small terrier-like dogs were used as hunters for various small rodents. The owners of these dogs were mainly poor people. After all, they were not allowed to have large dogs, which were used by poachers.
According to the first version, researchers believe that the Waterside Terrier, known in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, is the closest ancestor of the modern Yorkie. History has also preserved a description of such a terrier: miniature dog with long gray-blue hair.
It was the Waterside Terrier that the poor kept as guards of their property from small rodents, and traders took them with them on trading expeditions for the same purpose.
Another interesting fact: scientists believe that terrier-like dogs helped miners in searching for underground gas. At that time, according to English law, miners were not allowed to take dogs deep into the mines. But since these animals easily fit under clothes due to their miniature stature, they could be carried with you unnoticed.
The upper strata of English society, noticing the nobility and nobility in the small rat-catcher terrier, began to breed smaller representatives of the new breed. The nobility began to give each other the resulting dogs as a special sign of attention.
Some scientists consider the Maltese to be the ancestors of modern Yorkies - Maltese dogs. Perhaps they were crossed with Yorkshire terrier dogs to improve the quality of their coat. Although many scientists question this interesting fact, citing the fact that Maltese dogs have floppy ears and are completely White color wool
Manchester Terriers from Manchester are also considered to be the closest ancestor of the Yorkshire Terrier breed. Breeders were able to develop a long-haired subspecies Manchester Terrier with high-quality wool - shiny and silky.
Version two
The second version of the origin of representatives of this breed tells about such an interesting fact that the ancestors of modern Yorkies were brought at the end of the eighteenth century to the counties of Yorkshire, as well as to the county of Lancashire from Scotland. Scottish workers, due to the lack of jobs at home, moved to northern England in search of good earnings.
They brought small dogs, calling them Scottish Terriers (Scottish Terriers). After some time, such varieties appeared Scottish breed dogs like Paisley Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier, Cairo Terrier, Skye Terrier.
Despite the fact that Paisley Terriers and Clydesdale Terriers have never been registered as independent breeds, they are, according to the second version, considered to be the ancestors of modern Yorkshire Terriers.
A completely new line of dogs was decided to be bred by weavers who began working in newly built English factories. As a result of long and painstaking work, they were able to get a dog with silky hair that reached to the ground. She had a basic steel-blue color, as well as golden-brown areas of her coat.
But the resulting Yorkshire terriers weighed slightly more - six to seven kilograms, and had a slightly elongated body. The new line of the Yorkshire Terrier quickly became the most popular of all terrier breeds existing at that time.
The most important of the first famous representatives of the breed in history is considered to be a Yorkshire terrier named Huddersfield Ben from Huddersfield. He was born as a result of inbreeding - interbreeding, in 1865. Unfortunately, he did not live long, only six years - he was shot down by the crew. But he left behind a huge offspring and seventy-four exhibition prizes.
The English Kennel Club registered the Yorkshire Terrier as a separate breed in 1886. The first society dedicated to breeding representatives of this breed was formed in 1898.
Very little information remains about the development of Yorkshire Terriers during World War II. There are only a few notes about the English exhibition in 1947, in which representatives of this breed participated.
In Germany, the Yorkshire Terrier was registered as a separate breed in 1940.
Despite the fact that dogs were brought to America in 1872, the American Kennel Club registered the breed only in 1878. In the fifties of the twentieth century, Yorkshire terriers ceased to be popular.
The fame of this breed was restored by the following interesting fact: during the war, one of American soldiers Bill Wine accidentally discovered a representative of the Yorkshire Terrier breed and gave him the nickname Smokey. He later sold it to Corporal William Wynn.
This dog helped military engineers build an airfield - it climbed through narrow underground pipes and laid cables, thereby saving the time and effort of military workers.
Smoky also helped the wounded in hospitals - she entertained them with all sorts of tricks, following the nurses everywhere. Because of this, it is considered to be the first therapy dog.
In the post-war period, she acted in films and participated in various shows. Since her death, six monuments have been erected in her honor across America.
The Yorkie came to Russia in 1971 as a gift to the famous Russian ballerina Olga Lepeshinskaya. The Mytishchi nursery, opened in 1991, became the very first in all of Russia. At the moment, there are more than seventy-five official nurseries in Russia.
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