| If you are looking for a dog that weighs only a few | | | | Kennel Club breed standard for a Yorkie is 7 pounds. |
| pounds with a big spirit, the Yorkshire terrier or | | | | The Yorkshire terrier is a very popular breed in the |
| Yorkie may be just for you. The background of the | | | | United States. Two very excellent breeders who |
| Yorkie goes back to the 18th century. During the | | | | raised and showed Yorkies in the 1950s, 1960s and |
| Industrial Revolution in England, Scotsmen left their | | | | 1970s were the sisters Joan Gordon and Janet |
| country and headed south looking for work in | | | | Bennett of the Wildweir Kennels. Their English import |
| England. They brought their families and dogs. Their | | | | Ch. Little sir Model was the first Yorkie to win an |
| dogs included Skye Terriers, Paisley Terriers and | | | | all-breed best in Show. |
| Clydesdale Terriers. The breeds ranged in size from 6 | | | | At the present time the breed places in the top ten |
| pounds to 20 pounds. They were all fairly heavily | | | | breeds in popularity of the AKC breeds. It continues |
| coated. Some had a silky texture to their coat. All | | | | to hold a number-one ranking as a Toy dog in |
| carried blue-tan or gray coat colors. A common breed | | | | America. Throughout all time the Yorkshire terrier has |
| in Yorkshire, England at the time was the Waterside | | | | remained a favorite of the public. |
| Terrier. | | | | Every breed of dog registered with the American |
| The present-day Yorkshire Terrier is a combination of | | | | Kennel Club (AKC) has an official standard to help |
| these four breeds. The beautiful long-coated dog | | | | breeders and fanciers to understand the |
| with a silky steel blue and tan coat is prized as one | | | | characteristics that define the particular breed. The |
| of the smallest dogs in the world and the most | | | | standard tells us what makes the breed different |
| popular toy breed. | | | | from every other breed. A Yorkie's coat is blue and |
| By the 1850's, Yorkies were being shown in England. | | | | tan and floor length. There is a standard set for the |
| The standard weight fell anywhere between 5 and | | | | Yorkie's ears, muzzle and tail to look a certain way. |
| 18 pounds. By 1886, the English Kennel Club | | | | These characteristics are sought out by breeders, as |
| recognized the breed as the Yorkshire terrier and | | | | well as the Yorkie's typical temperament and |
| placed it in the newly formed Toy Group. Currently | | | | personality as described in the standard. The standard |
| the Yorkie reigns in the top ten breeds in popularity | | | | for the Yorkie as compared to other breeds is short. |
| in Britain. | | | | The largest section is on the coat, which is very |
| The first recorded Yorkie whelped in the United | | | | important for the breed. If one is going to show a |
| States was in 1872. At first, the American Kennel | | | | Yorkie, the correct coat and color are of most |
| Club divided the breed classes by weight: Under 5 | | | | concern. |
| pounds and over 5 pounds. The larger weight class | | | | Connie Limon raises Shih Tzu Puppies. She owns Little |
| had few entries. Therefore it was decided to have | | | | Guys Dog Clothes Shop. Purchase designer dog |
| one weight class for all Yorkies, specifying weight | | | | clothes for your Yorkie and other toy breeds at: |
| range between 3 and 7 pounds. Today, the American | | | | This article is FREE to publish with resource box. |