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Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier History
The Yorkshire Terrier belongs to the Toy Breeds and is descended from terrier bloodlines. As the breed name suggests, these dogs were bred to go to earth(terra is Latin for earth) for rats and other vermin that generally are pests to man. A favorite of British miners in the Yorkshire part of England where he was used as a ratter in the coal mine, the Yorkie has retained all of the hardiness and tenacity that his working-dog origins demanded of him. The Yorkshire Terrier was not recognized by that name until sometime in the 1880s.
This tiny dog with engaging personality and courage has endeared himself to pet lovers all over the world. His qualities as a companion are unsurpassed, for he is intelligent, highly trainable, fearless and affectionate. He likes long walks which makes him ideally suited to country living, and he also can exercise himself in a reduced space which makes him adaptable to all lifestyles.
The most distinctive feature of the Yorkshire Terrier is his long, silky coat. However, this lustrous coat can and will look its best only with constant grooming. The pet owner who has neither the time nor the desire to brush Yorkie daily should trim the coat to a manageable length.
The breed evolved from a variety of regional terrier types - the Scottish Clydesdale Terrier (no longer in existence), Skye Terrier, and Maltese breed.
The first Yorkshire Terriers were much larger than those we see today, many of them weighing as much as 15 pounds. In 1886 the Yorkshire Terrier was officially recognized by the British Kennel Club. The British Yorkshire Terrier Club was formed in 1898 and established the official breed standard.
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