Of 33 breeds and with ancestors who were a game and hardy lot of tenacious terriers most often used for ratting (hunting vermin), today»s Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most fragile of the group.
At a diminutive seven to nine inches high and three to seven pounds, the Yorkshire Terrier is significantly small, making it no less effective as a watchdog but more of a companion animal than anything else.
Granted, like its terrier kin, the first Yorkshire Terrier»a Paisley and Clydesdale hybrid brought to the working areas and factories of Great Britain--was bred, raised, and trained to hunt, but it was specifically developed for hunting only rats, for helping to control the rat problem in the middle 1800»s in the industrial areas of Northern England»in Yorkshire.
At that time, before it was crossed with the Maltese (hence the long-haired coat) and other terrier mixes, the breed was heavier, weighing in at fifteen pounds, and stealthier, not only hunting rats but being used to compete in ratting competitions.
But once the smaller, more compact breed was developed, the Yorkshire Terrier, also known as the Yorkie, the auburn and black long-haired miniatures became the ideal home companion»playful, passionate, and affectionate. Especially good for humans who stay at home, this breed can fit anywhere in the country or city dwellings or in the purse or carry-all. At the same time, though it is a most amenable and loving creature and though it has an even temperament, it does not do well with children, as it is too fragile for most youthful roughhousing and can actually incur hurt and injury if not handled properly.
And while the Yorkshire Terrier has few needs and makes few demands»other than needing to be near you and on you most of the time»(needing very little exercise, for example), it does need daily grooming. Its long hair mats and tangles easily, so it needs to be brushed and combed daily. As well, because the silky hair grows perpetually, like the hair of a human does, it needs to be trimmed frequently.
But more loveable and loving than needful and needy, the Yorkshire Terrier is the most popular pup today in England and is gaining the same respect in the states. With its spirited, playful, and tolerant ways, it brings to us a personality that is larger and more laudable than its tiny size might lead us to believe.
At least, the Yorkie my mother had was: so if when I used to pin doll barrettes on it when Mom wasn»t looking and it would sit for the duration and the humiliation without griping or running away is any indication of what this small but tough and accepting creature will endure, then its popularity is well deserved.
