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Above the Sunset Ranch

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The Yorkshire Terrier also called the Yorkie was created by working men in north England, who developed the breed for catching the rats and mice and other rodents that infested food mills, clothing mills and mine shafts. These dogs were great hunters and could penetrate into badger and fox burrows. Even though the breed is not very old, the origin of Yorkshire Terriers are not entirely certain. It is believed that Scotsmen seeking work in the woolen mills of Yorkshire brought with them various types of canine terriers, including the Skye Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Dandie Dinmont, Maltese and a Clydesdale which is now extinct. These were then crossed with local types of canines, such as the long- haired Leeds Terrier. At first, the Yorkie was a much bigger animal than the one we see today, but by selectively breeding the smallest Yorkies, the dog was gradually miniaturized over the years. They were made into a fashion dog. Women carried these little dogs in their bags and under their arms.

In 1885 The American Kennel Club or AKC first recognized the Yorkshire Terrier. In 1984 a piebald Yorkie was born as a result of a genetic recessive gene. Today the piebald dogs are considered a different breed; which is named the Biewer, Biewer Yorkie or Parti Yorkie. The Yorkshire Terrier is a small canine in the toy group. The head is rather flat on the top and small, the teeth meet in a level bite. The nose is small and black. The eyes on a yorkie are medium sized eyes and dark. The ears should stand erect in a V-shape. Not all breeders know how to get the ears to stand when the dogs are puppies so you will see some yorkies with floppy ears. All four legs are straight when viewed from the front. The feet are with black toenails. Dewclaws are usually removed. The tail is customarily docked to a medium length and carried somewhat higher than the back. The tail docking is done at three days old. Note: it is illegal to dock tails in most parts of Europe. The long glossy coat is fine and silky and falls straight down on either side. The coat of a Yorkie has also been listed by many popular dog information websites as being hypoallergenic.

When comparing many other breeds, Yorkies do not shed to the same degree, only losing small amounts of hair when bathed or brushed. All dogs shed, but it is the dog’s dander and saliva that trigger most people’s allergic reactions. Puppies are born brown black and tan. As they get older the hair can change to silver, blue or stay black. The hair on the head is so abundant that it is almost always necessary to gather it in a band or bow to keep from going into the dog’s food bowl and to give it maximum visibility. Some owners choose to trim the hair on top of the head. Regular grooming is needed otherwise their coats will get matted. A clipped coat needs daily-to-weekly combing and brushing. They should also have their teeth cleaned regularly.

This little dog is highly energetic, brave, loyal and clever. Although Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs they seem oblivious of their small size. Most Yorkies think they can conquer the world, and will try. They are very eager for adventure.