Understanding today’s Yorkshire Terrier means looking at this dog?s ancestry. There seems to be little disagreement about the way in which the modern Yorkshire Terrier came to be. Even though there are no records of the earliest relatives of the Yorkie it’s widely believed that the breed is estimated to is just over 100 or so years old. The Yorkshire Terrier of the past was much larger than today’s terriers. It’s surprising but the early versions of today’s Yorkies were working class dogs.

From the 11th Century there was a rule that laborers were not allowed to hunt. In order to prevent hunting laborers were not allowed to own a dog big enough to be able to hunt. Dogs had to pass through a small hoop (7 inches in diameter) to prove that they were small enough. It was originally bred to be a hunting dog, catching rats, rabbits and mice to supplement their poor owner?s diet.

Before the beginning of the Industrial Revolution people lived in small communities and grew up around factories and mines. With the Industrial Revolution came great changes to family life. People were drawn to the cities seeking work and a better life.

These people brought with them the Paisley Terrier; who were mainly working dogs who used to catch rats and other small animals.

The Paisley Terrier, or Clydesdale Terrier was crossed with other types of Terriers. The English Black Terrier, the Tan Toy Terrier and the Skye Terrier. The Maltese was also crossed with these to produce long coats, and a smaller stature. You can still see the similarity in shape between the Maltese and today’s Yorkies. There aren’t any records about the early pedigree to confirm these crosses. There were low levels of literacy and this led to poor record keeping. It is believed that this is the most likely of the crosses.

The father of the modern Yorkie is said to be a dog called Huddersfield Ben. Bred by Mr. Eastwood and owned by Mr. Foster; this was a very popular stud dog who had a great influence in the modern breed. He won many competitions and is believed to have set many of the standards for his breed type.

The British Kennel Club registered the first Yorkies in the British Kennel Club Stud Book in 1874. The American Kennel Club started recognizing Yorkshire Terriers as a breed in 1885. The first Yorkshire in 1910 was the first specimen seen in a German speaking area. Known as Halifax Terriers these dogs shared the appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier which to this day has changed very little. The breed standards for the Yorkshire Terrier have hardly changed. There are some small changes but these relate directly to the new knowledge in matters of canine health.

The Yorkshire Terriers of today are brave, loyal and energetic. A loyal guard dog who will be suspicious of strangers and defend their territory. Yorkies like to bark but with good training they can be taught not to. Some of the cross breeding which results in tiny teacup varieties can cause health problems for today’s Yorkshire terriers. Often their skulls are too small and this results in a range of respiratory problems.

It is widely agreed that the breeding of such Teacup varieties is cruel and causes all kinds of health and behavioral problems. Be responsible and buy one of the more accepted varieties. If you are intending on breeding your Yorkshire terrier keep this in mind when choosing a sire.

Today’s Yorkies are energetic, fun and a delight to have around. They will keep you entertained for hours and years to come.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu?s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

If you’ve never met a Yorkshire Terrier, then you’ve missed out on one of life’s more entertaining experiences. These inquisitive little dogs are absolutely adorable. They usually top out at about 7 pounds, with some weighing a little more, and some a little less.

However; the only thing tiny about them is their structure. Their loyalty, personality, and courage will often top that of a 110 pound dog. Yorkies are exceptionally smart, and in spite of their small size, make excellent watch dogs. They must see a 100 pound image when they look in a mirror, because they’ll seldom back down from anything. Their determination to protect their owner could indeed get them in a heap of trouble if they’re not careful.

Your home is in good hands when there is a Yorki on board. The slightest noise awakens them and they’re immediately ready to pursue the invader.’

The origination of the Yorkshire Terrier is not entirely certain, but they are believed to have originated somewhere in England. They are part of the terrier group and it is believed they were used to hunts rats and other vermin–and yes, sometimes they like to dig.

Because Yorkies are tenacious little characters, they are sometimes accused of being difficult to train, but with perserverance and consistency, training should not be much of a problem. The earlier the training starts, the better. Yorkies need to know early in life what is and what is not acceptable behavior. They’ re like small children, and will try to get away with as much as possible.

Yorkie puppies start out as adorable little fluffy black and tan furballs that mature into beautiful steel blue and tan adults with long silky coats. These beautiful coats however, take regular ongoing maintenance.

Many owners that have a Yorkie for companionship, and who don’t intend to show the dog , opt to keep their dog in a shorter cut to alleviate some of this maintenance. This is an option that you may want to consider also unless you’re willing to commit to considerable time maintaining your Yorkie.

Yorkie’s are a very adaptable dog, and fit in well with a variety of different types of families from apartment tenants to country dwellers with large fenced in yards. They are extremely loyal to their owners and aim to please. They are very energetic, but are certainly not opposed to curling up in your lap for some love and personal attention.

Due to their small size they do better with older children if they’re going to be around children at all. Because of the Yorkie’s big attitude, we often forget that they’re a small dog. Care must be taken when placing a Yorkie on a couch or bed or anyplace up off the floor. They will not hesitate to jump off and could quite possibly break a leg in doing so. A Yorkie may not be the perfect dog, but what they lack in some areas, they make up in personality, and are currently ranked in the top ten of most popular breeds.

By Connie Tersigni and Cari Haus. Connie sells accessories for Yorkies or Yorkshire Terriers from her website, http://www.milliondollarmutts.com/, and Cari is webmaster for the site.

More articles at Articles Host

Around the mid 19th century unemployed Scottish workers moved south in search of work, and they brought their little dogs with them. Cross breeding them with local terriers produced a dog capable of catching and killing the rats that infested the local mines and cotton mills. That dog first appeared at a bench show as a broken-haired Scotch Terrier in the early 1860′s. This fledgling breed finally became known as the Yorkshire Terrier in 1870–The little ratters journey towards world popularity had begun.

Within a decade the Yorkie had clambered out of the gloom of the mines, and in to the lap of the most wealthy women in England. The Yorkshire Terrier quickly became the ultimate Victorian fashion accessory. Either carried in the crook of a Socialite’s arm, or peeping out from her chic handbag. The Yorkie was quickly embraced by American fanciers and was classified by the American Kennel Club as a member of the Toy Group. The breed standard requires the Yorkie to weigh no more than seven pounds, but no minimum weight is indicated. Dogs as light as one pound have been bred. But, as most responsible breeders point out, when dogs are bred to this size their health is being put at risk.

The Yorkshire Terrier has a long, silky, flowing coat of dark steel blue that parts along the spine to cover the body and tail. The head and legs are tan colored. Eyes are dark, and sparkle with intelligence, and the tail is usually docked to a medium length.

The Yorkie and apartment life go together well. A yard for him to explore and romp in would be nice, but he can live without it. Don’t forget to give him a daily walk though. He needs his exercise as much as the next dog, even though he may be a fraction of their size. This is a very playful and sociable breed. They enjoy family activity, and want to be right in the middle of it. If you have young children you need to be careful. Tough as the Yorkie is, he is tiny, and rough play could end in a serious injury.

Yorkshire Terriers usually get along well with dogs and other pets, but they can be attention seekers, and consequently demanding. Some Yorkies can be stubborn, but they also like to please their owners. You should take advantage of this trait by starting to train your puppy from day one. Socializiation is equally important. Try to attend your local obedience classes with him. This will help him to get used to other dogs, people, and situations. It’s also an opportunity for you to meet new people and their dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are a relatively healthy dog breed. Although, retained baby teeth, hernias and hypoglycemia can be problem areas. Feeding your Yorkie will not break the bank. They do not have the most robust digestive systems, so do tread carefully with his diet. Feeding dry food will keep his teeth in a better condition, than if you feed him on canned food. You can mix the two feeds until you find the best blend. Most Yorkies need regular brushing and combing to keep their coats in good condition, and to prevent matting. Dogs with very silky coats need slightly less grooming. You also need to brush your dogs teeth frequently, to alleviate the problem of early tooth decay that this breed is prone to. The well bred and socialized Yorkshire Terrier is a pleasure to own. Of course, the Yorkie has its flaws like all dog breeds, but as a loyal and affectionate companion it has few rivals.

Andy Matthews is the best friend of Suki, a 2 year old Cocker Spaniel, who has tirelessly built from scratch http://www.top-dogs-names.com. Check it out its kind of unique!.

More articles at Articles Host

The Yorkie, nickname for the Yorkshire Terrier is affectionately called by its devoted owners and is a pleasure to live with. Content to be stroked and petted, your Yorkshire Terrier will take up residence on your lap whenever possible. Yorkies have a keen sense of adventure. They are brave and loyal and seem to be oblivious to their size – or definite lack thereof. The Yorkshire Terrier has been in the top 10 most registered with the AKC for the last several years.

These dogs need minimal space and are perfect if you live in a smaller space like an apartment. Yorkshire Terriers will also get along well with small children. They can be possessive and you should always exercise caution when you introduce your Yorkie to your child. Well trained Yorkies will have no problem adjusting to family life. Yorkies are also excellent dogs to have with cats.

If you have already decided that you want a Yorkie then there are various things you can do to make sure you get the best possible puppy.

Make sure you have a clear idea of exactly what you want before you start looking for a breeder. There are many things you will want to make sure of like deciding whether you want a male or a female puppy. Would you prefer a dominant or quiet puppy? Your lifestyle and resources will play a large role in your choices.

If you are wanting a Yorkie puppy it is recommended that you steer clear of pet store puppies. They are often bred in poor circumstances and have not had enough interaction with their siblings. You could end up with a sickly, badly socialized Yorkie.

Choosing a reputable Yorkie breeder is important even if you don’t plan to show the puppy. Problems that you will find is the puppy may be inbred or the fancy terms used by certain breeders is called linebreeding. The pet the problems associated with choosing a half-bred or worse is a cruelly bred puppy can cause your family a lot of heartache later. Just like any other big decision research is one of the most significant ways in which you can be sure you are committing to the best breeder.

Does the breeder offer a health certificate, vaccinations and other paperwork like the registration documents? The health certificate is the most important paperwork because they can only be issued by a licensed veterinarian. To get the health certificate the vet must exam the puppy and if there is something seriously wrong with the puppy the vet wont issue the health certificate. Be prepared to pay extra for the health certificate as most breeders charge extra for this.

Another thing to consider is there a health guarantee. A health guarantee is needed in case some were to happen a year down the road. Buying from the newspaper just doesnt offer this. Most of the time its 48 hours and thats it. If something were to happen to your puppy a week later most will say, it’s your puppy now. The standard guarantee on the internet is a replacement guarantee up to a year. However a year is not really a long enough time for some genetic type defects. If possible look for someone that offers a guarantee longer then that.

Buying on internet may cost a little more but it is well worth the investment. If having a happy, healthy puppy and a good guarantee doesnt matter to you then buy from the newspaper. However beware the newspaper has a reputation of where puppy millers and backyard breeders sell their puppies. Are you willing to take the risk and deal with the heartache later? It can be a terrible thing for a family to go through especially if you have children. A guarantee gives you a little peace of mind.

Yorkies are amongst some of the cutest puppies on earth. They are so tiny you can put them in your pocket and nobody will be the wiser. Enjoy your puppy and make sure you spend enough time bonding with your Yorkies and you can be assured of many healthy, happy years with your dog.

Steve is the owner of All My Puppies Online and also has a casino review website at All Best Bets Visit his blog at Doggie Blog

More articles at Big articles database

Understanding today’s Yorkshire Terrier means looking at this dogs ancestry. There seems to be little disagreement about the way in which the modern Yorkshire Terrier came to be. Even though there are no records of the earliest relatives of the Yorkie it’s widely believed that the breed is estimated to is just over 100 or so years old. The Yorkshire Terrier of the past was much larger than today’s terriers. It’s surprising but the early versions of today’s Yorkies were working class dogs.

From the 11th Century there was a rule that laborers were not allowed to hunt. In order to prevent hunting laborers were not allowed to own a dog big enough to be able to hunt. Dogs had to pass through a small hoop (7 inches in diameter) to prove that they were small enough. It was originally bred to be a hunting dog, catching rats, rabbits and mice to supplement their poor owners diet.

Before the beginning of the Industrial Revolution people lived in small communities and grew up around factories and mines. With the Industrial Revolution came great changes to family life. People were drawn to the cities seeking work and a better life.

These people brought with them the Paisley Terrier; who were mainly working dogs who used to catch rats and other small animals.

The Paisley Terrier, or Clydesdale Terrier was crossed with other types of Terriers. The English Black Terrier, the Tan Toy Terrier and the Skye Terrier. The Maltese was also crossed with these to produce long coats, and a smaller stature. You can still see the similarity in shape between the Maltese and today’s Yorkies. There aren’t any records about the early pedigree to confirm these crosses. There were low levels of literacy and this led to poor record keeping. It is believed that this is the most likely of the crosses.

The father of the modern Yorkie is said to be a dog called Huddersfield Ben. Bred by Mr. Eastwood and owned by Mr. Foster; this was a very popular stud dog who had a great influence in the modern breed. He won many competitions and is believed to have set many of the standards for his breed type.

The British Kennel Club registered the first Yorkies in the British Kennel Club Stud Book in 1874. The American Kennel Club started recognizing Yorkshire Terriers as a breed in 1885. The first Yorkshire in 1910 was the first specimen seen in a German speaking area. Known as Halifax Terriers these dogs shared the appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier which to this day has changed very little. The breed standards for the Yorkshire Terrier have hardly changed. There are some small changes but these relate directly to the new knowledge in matters of canine health.

The Yorkshire Terriers of today are brave, loyal and energetic. A loyal guard dog who will be suspicious of strangers and defend their territory. Yorkies like to bark but with good training they can be taught not to. Some of the cross breeding which results in tiny teacup varieties can cause health problems for today’s Yorkshire terriers. Often their skulls are too small and this results in a range of respiratory problems.

It is widely agreed that the breeding of such Teacup varieties is cruel and causes all kinds of health and behavioral problems. Be responsible and buy one of the more accepted varieties. If you are intending on breeding your Yorkshire terrier keep this in mind when choosing a sire.

Today’s Yorkies are energetic, fun and a delight to have around. They will keep you entertained for hours and years to come.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzus and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

More articles at Big articles database

Although the history of the Yorkshire Terrier is sketchy, there is a great deal known about the origins of this exceptional, vibrant breed. The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie for short, finds it humble beginnings in Northern England, in the counties of Yorkshire, Manchester and Leeds, during the years prior to 1750.

During this time, the onset of the Industrial Revolution gave rise to small communities located around coal mines, textile mills and factories. The people of these areas originally made their living from the land and experienced great upheaval during the time of the Industrial Revolution. Many had to learn new ways of life to continue to support their families. These persevering families, many from as far away as Scotland, were drawn to the small fledgling communities to begin a new life.

Along with this hardy group of migrants came equally hardy pets and companions. During the 19th century, Scottish weavers began to arrive and brought with them the sturdy Scottish Terrier. Far from being a simple bloodline the Scottish Terrier has been attributed to creating several different types of Terriers including the Yorkshire Terrier.

Part of the Scottish Terrier bloodlines later became the breeds today known as the Skye, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier and the last of the named from their separation, the Cairn Terrier.

The Scottish Terrier was also known to be on Argyle or the Isle of Skye. It was of a bluish color and was also known as a broken or smooth haired Scots depending on the length of coat it had.

There is every possibility that they were forerunners to the modern day Skye Terrier. Other breeds that have ancestral claim to the Yorkie are the Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers and the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier.

All of these Scottish breeds, along with some English ones, were working dogs, used to keep the vermin under control in the coal mines and mills.

In an effort to produce canines with exceptional skill at catching mice and rats, the common men of the day would breed only smallest, quickest and best ratters of the bunch. These men were not out to produce a purebred, sophisticated breed of dog; instead they desired the best dogs to keep the mice away. This is the reason why no records were kept as to what breeds were mixed to create the Yorkshire Terrier.

The best guess is that miners in Yorkshire County bred the Black and Tan English Terrier with the many breeds of the Scottish Terriers. It is even believed that Maltese may be thrown in there somewhere. The resulting Terriers were then probably crossed with yet again other types of terriers such as the Welsh Terrier.

In the late 1800s, the first written recordings about the ancestors of the modern-day Yorkshire Terrier began to appear. Most of these were written by wealthy educated men who had traveled to Yorkshire County and witnessed the intelligent, spunky dogs chasing down their prey.

Rawdon B. Lee, speaking of Yorkshire Terrier in Modern Dogs says: How the name of Scotch Terrier became attached to dog which so thoroughly had its home in Yorkshire and Lancashire is somewhat difficult to determine, if it can be determined at all, but a very old breeder of the variety told me that the first of them came from Scotland, where they had been accidentally produced from a cross between the silk-coated Skye (the Clydesdale) and the black and tan Terrier. One could scarcely expect that a pretty dog, partaking in a degree of both its parents, could be produced from a smooth-coated dog, a long-coated bitch or vice-versa.

Maybe, two or three animals so bred had been brought by some of the Paisley weavers in Yorkshire and there, suitably admired, pains were taken to perpetuate the strain.

Then, at the turn of the century, Mr. James Watson claimed in the Dog Book, that the pedigreed origins of the Yorkshire Terrier could be traced back 60 years. Before that time, there were two Class Registrations for Toy Terriers, Rough and Broken Haired. In 1866 Broken Haired Scotch Terriers were registered as not exceeding 5 pounds. These were later registered as Yorkshire Terriers in 1874.

Since the official recognition of the Yorkshire breed, there have been many famous, well-loved Yorkies. And today, this breed is gaining newfound attention as more and more people are turning to this lovable breed for companionship.

By Rose Lenk
Get Rose’s free mini course:
7 things you need to know about Yorkshire Terriers
http://www.GoodYorkie.com

More articles at Big articles database

Yorkies are one of the worlds smallest dogs. Although their origins are uncertain, many experts believe they were probably developed by the working men of North England who bred them to catch rats in the mine shafts. They were also used in hunting to penetrate into fox and badger burrows. The first Yorkies were much bigger than the tiny dogs we see today. They were made into a fashion dog by selective breeding throughout the years.

Besides their obvious small size Yorkshire Terriers are eager sweet natured dogs. They are very energetic and adventurous. They are also known to be very intelligent, cunning and stubborn. This explains why they may be hard to house break. Although, most Yorkies are less than 7 lbs, dont be fooled! This tiny dog can pack a powerful punch. The Yorkie is known to be a great watch dog and may snap is surprised or provoked.

Some Yorkies, like many smaller dogs, are prone to early tooth decay. Feeding them dry food can help keep their teeth strong and healthy. Also, although the teacup sizes are all the rage, they are prone to having serious behavior and health problems.

All in all, these tiny characters can catch a mouse, defend a home and be a fashionista all in the same day.

Nikki Carroll mother father of four dogs and co-owner of http://www.littlepamperedpets.com with Dog Clothes and Small Dog Sweaters

Visit Elizabeth Austin for Wholesale Dog Clothes and Wholesale Pet Supplies

More articles at Articles Database