Yorkshire Terrier
Dogs
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier |
Adult Yorkshire Terrier.
|
Alternative names |
|
Country of origin |
United Kingdom |
Common nicknames |
Yorkie |
Classification and breed standards |
FCI: |
Group 3 Section 4 #86 |
AKC: |
Toy |
ANKC: |
Group 1 (Toys) |
CKC: |
Group 5 - Toys |
KC (UK): |
Toy |
NZKC: |
Toy |
UKC: |
Companion Breeds |
Not recognized by any major kennel club |
This breed of dog is
extinct |
Notes |
|
The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as a Yorkie, is a
breed
of small dogs, one of
many toy dog
breeds. Yorkies can be very small indeed, usually not weighing more than about 5
or 6 pounds (less than 3kg.)
Appearance
The breed standard calls for a long, blue and tan coat that hangs straight
and parts down the middle. However, many yorkies do not conform directly to the
standard. Some coats are black or grey on the body. Brown and gold on the faces
and legs is most common. The fur in a
show dog is
usually straight and can grow very long. Yorkies can also have somewhat wavy
fur, although clubs do not recognize this variation for
dog shows.
In either case, Yorkie fur is soft, fine, and high-maintenance, and must either
be trimmed short or washed and brushed frequently.
Temperament
The Yorkshire Terrier, though a
Toy Breed,
still retains much of its
Terrier
ancestry in terms of personality. Though personalities differ from dog to dog
generally Yorkies are intelligent, independent and spunky. Yorkies, especially
males, are very territorial and are known for their disregard for the
limitations of their own size. They will often attack much larger dogs despite
their extreme size disadvantage.
Yorkies typically get along well with cats or other dogs, and love to play
together in groups. However, they are still terriers, and even an old, sedentary
lap dog will
eagerly hunt
rodents. Because they are so small, they are easily injured, so while they
will get along very well with children, it can be dangerous for the Yorkie to
keep it in a house with small or abusive children. Also, despite their small
size, if continually provoked or if attacked, like all dogs, they pack a
surprisingly powerful bite.
Yorkshire Terriers tend to be more difficult to train than some of their
canine cousins; however, this difficulty is considered to be a result of the
breed’s characteristic stubbornness rather than any major deficiency of
intelligence.
Health
Yorkies tend to develop
cataracts
in their old age, but their small size limits the effects of conditions such as
arthritis.
There is also the possibility of
Trachea
collapse, the cause of which is thought by many to be partially genetic, and
partially caused by environment- specifically, the strain an energetic Yorkie
puts on its neck when straining against its collar. Most veterinarians recommend
use of a harness instead of a collar to help prevent the chronic coughing caused
by partial trachea collapse. As with many purebred dogs, the Yorkshire Terrier
is prone to certain
genetic disorders. Most common is the liver shunt (portosystemic shunt). In
this condition some of the dog's blood bypasses the
liver and as such
does not get cleaned of those toxins that the liver is responsible for removing.
A Yorkie with this condition might exhibit some or all of the following
symptoms: small stature, poor muscle development, behavioral abnormalities,
unresponsiveness, seizures, and so on; however, if treated by a
veterinarian, in time, the condition is most often reversible.
History
Most believe that the Yorkshire Terrier is the product of co-mingling
Scottish and English terriers when many Scots were displaced by the
Industrial Revolution and settled in
England.
Though pedigrees are not available for the first Yorkshire Terrier ancestors,
several breeds have been suggested including (for the Scottish contribution) the
Waterside Terrier, the
Clydesdale Terrier, and the
Paisley Terrier. English contributions to the bloodline of the Yorkshire
Terrier may have included, according to many sources, the
Manchester Terrier, the
Maltese, and the
Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
The original Yorkshire Terrier, known as the "Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier"
was a 12-to-14 pound dog with wire hair whose intended purpose was the catching
of rats and other
vermin that
lived in small spaces.
In 1870, the
breed was renamed the Yorkshire Terrier, after the county of
Yorkshire, England where the breed is believed to have originated. The
father dog of the breed is considered to be
Huddersfield Ben, who was born in
1865, the inbred
offspring of a mother and son. Huddersfield Ben was bred by Mr. W. Eastwood
Huddersfield, who died in
1871. A multiple
champion, Huddersfield Ben set the foundation for what would develop into the
modern Yorkie.
Miscellaneous
A newly proposed breed, the
Biewer, might
or might not be a variation of the Yorkie or an entirely new breed.
Famous Yorkies
- Chow Mein from
Gypsy
- Smoky World War II hero
Smoky was a Yorkshire Terrier who belonged to William Wynne of Ohio. Mr.
Wynne adopted Smoky while serving with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific Theatre.
Mr. Wynne trained Smoky to perform various tricks to entertain himself and his
comrades. Smoky was later entered in Yank Magazine’s Best Mascot Contest. She
won first prize and had her picture on the cover!
Smoky became a war dog when she used her small size to her advantage and
helped to “run” communication wire through a culvert that was under a runway.
Without Smoky’s assistance, the runway would need to be excavated while the
cable was laid. The runway would have been inoperable for several days. Smoky
was deemed the most famous dog of World War Two. She returned home to Ohio with
Mr. Wynne where she continued her “entertainment” career.
Three-year-old Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkie puppy
before developing the characteristic long, flowing coat
Home | Up
Dogs, made by MultiMedia | Free content and software
This guide is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
|