Yorkshire Terrier
Other names: Yorkie, York
#35
Wamiz's Top Breed

The Yorkshire Terrier is an animated, lively, very intelligent dog, who should never be treated like a toy but like the true Terrier that he is. He is only suitable for those children who are able to respect him. Even if he is principally used as a companion and show dog, he remains an avid rat hunter, the latter being the role for which he was bred. He can be a good watchdog by virtue of barking, an ‘alarm dog’ so to speak. This miniature dog is the smallest of the terriers, and currently the most popular dog in the world, from the States through to Europe.
Key facts about the Yorkshire Terrier
Origins and history
The breed is quite recent since it has first emerged in the beginning of the 19th century, around the time of the industrial revolution. In fact, wool workers migrated from Scotland to Yorkshire, taking their dogs with them. There are, however, no surviving documents that fully explain their origins. It is nevertheless more or less certain that various Terriers like the Skye, Cairn, Clydesdale (extinct today) and the “Melita Terrier” (today’s Maltese Dog) have contributed to his formation. Initially bred to hunt for rats in the mines and for rabbits in the burrows, he is nowadays regarded exclusively as a toy terrier. Initially dubbed “Miniature Terriers”, it is in 1886 that the Kennel Club officially recognised the breed in its own right as the “Yorkshire Terrier”. The first official breed standards had been established towards the end of the 19th century, in 1898.
Physical characteristics of the Yorkshire Terrier
Adult size
Female : Between 6 and 10 in
Male : Between 6 and 10 in
Weight
Female : Between 4 and 7 lb
Male : Between 4 and 7 lb
Coat colour
Dark steel blue from the occiput to the top of the tail, which should never be mixed with fawn, dark, or tan hair. A vivid red-brown on the chest. All the reddish-brown hair is darker at the roots than at the ends, getting lighter in a gradual gradient.
Type of coat
The coat is long.
The coat is straight, shiny, of fine and silky texture, without ever being wavy or wooly.
Eye colour
The eyes are dark.
Description
The Yorkshire Terrier is a dog of compact and balanced constitution, carrying himself upright and exuding an air of importance. His build is generally robust and proportional. The head is rather small and flat, with a skull not too round and a rather short muzzle. The eyes are of medium size, shiny, cast in a straight direction. The ears are small and v-shaped, erect and covered in shorter and duller red-brown hair. The limbs are perfectly straight. The tail is densely covered by hair and carried above the level of the back.
Good to know
This breed is extremely popular, which has led to an increased production of low-quality dogs. It is vital to seek out the best breeders in order to adopt an authentic Yorkie rather than a dog that simply resembles him.