Yorkshire Terrier
Description
The Yorkshire came from the same district as the Airedale, appearing for the first time around 1850, with "Huddersfeld Ben" listed as the first Yorkie. His background is not well documented, although speculation says Old English Black/Tan Terriers contributed the general terrier outline and mental qualities. Maltese donated the long, silky coat and petite face. The Skye fixed terrier temperament while retaining the coat. Each breeder, however, may have used a different "recipe."These small, silky-coated terriers were in great demand by the wealthy families of Yorkshire. Poor farmers and workers occasionally established a lucrative sideline by producing puppies to fill that demand, and the competition to "corner the market" made these breeders closed-mouthed about their formulas. They were originally called Broken-haired Scotch or Yorkshire Terriers, although their coat is not similar to the other brokenhaired terriers. About 1870, the breed became known as the Yorkshire Terrier. He was promoted in the eastern US by Americans who adored the little sprite, as well as in England. The size of today's toy was set by choosing the smaller specimens of the original 12-14 pound variety. While the selective breeding was occurring, size varied from under three to 13 pounds. Coat, too, was much shorter, though silky even at that time. Terrier advocates of the time degraded the "dresser drawer dog" and predicted little future for him. How wrong they were! By the 20th century, he was prized throughout the world.
Yorkies are spunky, which was aptly evidenced by "Smokey," spoils of WWII. American William Wynne found the Yorkie in a shell hole near Japanese lines in New Guinea. Nobody claimed her, and she seemed not to understand either Japanese or English. Smokey back-packed through the rest of the war, accompanying Wynne on 150 air raids and 12 air-sea rescue missions. She even survived a typhoon at Okinawa. In between these feats, she learned tricks which entertained the troops and enabled her to assist the Signal Corps by carrying a telegraph wire through a 70-foot, eight-inch pipe. No timid toy, Smokey also jumped from a 30-foot tower with her specially made parachute. After the War, Smokey and Wynne were a hit at veterans' hospitals. A few years later, another Yorkie entered politics when "Pasha" trotted the halls of the White House with the Nixon family.
Their handy, pick-me-up size makes them ideal travel companions. As with most tiny toys, the Yorkie is not the best choice for young children. The smallest dog ever recorded, according to the 7955 Guinness Book of World Records, is "Sylvia," a Yorkie adult, at ten ounces. Despite their size, however, they possess the typical terrier temperament and are spirited and self-assured. Affetionate and devoted to their owners, they won't hesitate to sound the alarm if danger lurks. Born black/tan, the black slowly changes to a dark steel blue by adulthood, enhanced by the rich tan markings. Routine grooming is necessary.