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Yorkshire Terrier History
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As with many other breeds, there is some doubt as to the exact origin of the Yorkshire Terrier. The most popular theory is that the Yorkie is the product of crossbreeding between various English and Scottish Terriers, particularly the Waterside Terrier. This dog was brought to Yorkshire by Scottish workers in the mid-19th century, and the Yorkshire Terrier made its first appearance in a dog show in 1861, when it was known as a "broken-haired Scotch Terrier." In 1870 the breed was given the name of Yorkshire Terrier.
The Yorkshire Terrier was developed to catch rats and aid as a hunting dog. Its small size allowed it to chase animals in mine shafts as well as badger and fox burrows. As their fame grew, the Yorkies became a popular dog among middle and upper class women, who would carry them around with them under their arms or in their purses.
The first recorded birth of a Yorkshire Terrier in the United States was in 1872, and the breed was participating in shows in the US as early as 1878; the Yorkshire Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. At first, the breed was divided by weight into two groups: under 5 pounds, and 5 pounds and over. After a while, though, the Yorkie’s size became more uniform, with larger Yorkies losing favor. In 2005, the Yorkshire Terrier became the third most popular breed in the United States, as based on registration information from the American Kennel Club (only the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever were more popular).
