History of Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is perhaps the most common dog of all indoor and decorative breeds. These babies have the ability to win hearts with incredible speed. Touching appearance, soft hair and provocative, active disposition cannot leave you indifferent.

The history of York is rooted in the past and is shrouded in countless speculations and assumptions, which are often very ambiguous. The formation of the breed took place over several centuries, the Old English Terriers, who were very different in appearance, were considered its first ancestors. The breed appeared in northern England, more precisely, in Scotland, in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the XVIII-XIX centuries.

The patriarchs of the breed differed from modern dogs in more significant parameters, weighing about 5-7 kg. The wool of the bluish-blue tide did not have a particular length and density, the body was more elongated, and the ears were semi-permanent.

At that time, hunting for commoners was banned in England, and in order to avoid cases of poaching, a law was passed prohibiting peasants from keeping large dogs. Moreover, a medium sized dog needed special permission from local authorities. Aristocrats believed that with small dogs the poor could not hunt. To determine the size of the dog, a special measurement loop was invented. Its diameter was about 17 cm, and if the animal could crawl into this loop, the peasant was allowed to keep it.

Partly because of this law, there are a large number of small dog breeds in England. The ancestors of today's Yorks guarded the houses and fields of peasants from rodents, served as escort on trips. Agile and moving small animals easily made their way into the narrow burrows of mice and rats, catching them. Such abilities were appreciated, and for the sake of entertainment the peasants organized various competitions, the essence of which was in the destruction of rodents for a certain time. Dogs who won in such fights were very respected and protected.

It was then that in the history of the breed a small dog called the Waterside Terrier was noticed, weighing 3-6 kg with a height of 27 cm, with an already longer gray coat with a blue tint. A documented newspaper article about the waterside terrier Polly, the winner of just such a competition, and its owner, John Richardson, is considered a fact confirming the real existence of these animals.

One of the first breeders of York is considered a certain Mr. Spink, who brought a male Australian Terrier from Australia. At that time, a male named Punch was the winner of 13 shows in his homeland. As a result of crossing Punch with female waterside terriers, Spink bred offspring, which were small in size, with soft woolen coat and beautiful color.

One of his offspring was Hadersfield Ben, who later became the “father” of the modern York breed. With the birth of the industrial revolution, peasants from surrounding and distant villages looking for work began to converge in Yorkshire County. Together with them, their pets appeared - small-sized adhesive tape terriers. These dogs in general had similar features, although they were somewhat different in appearance because they were from different places. They were known under different names, depending on the habitat, although they were united by the well-known - scotch terrier.

In the history of Yorkshire Terriers the Maltese lap-dog is also put forward as possible ancestors. In long-standing breeding records, one can find information that in order to improve the quality of wool, its structure and length, representatives of Yorks mated with Maltese lapdogs. As a justification for this fact, light-haired Yorkies have the best characteristics of wool.

The dog had an elongated body, copper-bronze color of the muzzle and limbs. Kitty's ears were saggy, and her coat was blue. Their descendants were used for further development of the breed. In 1873, the Kennel Club was created, whose members registered pedigrees and described the breeds. Clydesdesale and paisley terriers can also be considered potential relatives of today's Yorks, although they were not considered independent breeds by the Club.

Their selection soon stopped, and now such varieties no longer exist. As a result of long work on the formation of the breed, terriers appeared with soft, smooth hair, which also had a sufficient length. Color she had a bluish-blue tan with a brownish-golden tone. The breeding and development of the breed was mainly attended by workers and weavers. A new variety of dogs with miniature sizes and a cute look with lightning speed has gained recognition in different circles, crowding out the remaining types of terriers.

The year 1886 is significant in that the Yorks were officially accepted at the Kennel Club and entered into the studbook. Then they approved the breed standard for breeders and breeders. York connoisseurs created the Yorkshire Terrier Club in 1898. In the chronology of York, a special place is given to a dog named Huddersfield Ben. He is called the ancestor of the breed.

The owner of the animal Joan Foster from Yorkshire was a member of the jury of the Kennel Club and a famous breeder. The legendary dog ​​for its short life received 74 prizes at various exhibitions and became the father of numerous champions.He died at the age of seven under the wheels of a keb, giving life to quite a few offspring.

The sons of Huddersfield Ben were officially recognized as Yorks: Mozart, who won the show in 1870, was named the first representative of the new breed, and Ted was considered the best specimen of the York breed for six years. He had the following characteristics: short back, weight 5 pounds, height 9 inches.

The formation of the character of York lasted several centuries, because each generation contributed. Despite its tiny size, dogs are bold and courageous. Such traits have been inherent in the breed since its inception, as little hunters have always been brave. Only a dog with such abilities could rush into a narrow hole or tirelessly destroy rodents, even if they came across the same size as the hunter himself. Yorkies have energy and restlessness; they can run after the ball without playing a break or play active games with their children.

At the same time, york is characterized by restraint, amazing smartness and loyalty to the owner. Due to its active nature, Yorkshire Terrier needs long walks, active pastime and training.

Yorkies very subtly feel the mood of the owner, and if you add extraordinary mental abilities to this feature, the best manipulator is difficult to find. Therefore, upbringing requires consistency and perseverance, the weakness of the owner of York will be able to turn into his own benefit.

The representative of Yorks came to our country only in 1972. The puppy was presented as a gift to the ballerina Olga Lepeshinskaya. He made a splash in society, and since then rich people brought miniature dogs from abroad for a lot of money. Only in 1992 in Mytishchi did they create a nursery, where they brought tribal Yorks from different countries. Today there are a huge number of breeders of this unusual breed. Everyone can purchase this amazing miniature creature and get a true friend.

About the Yorkshire Terrier breed, see the video below.