Around the mid-19th century, unemployed Scottish laborers moved south in search of work, bringing their little dogs with them. Crossing 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 in a bank as a “Broken-Coated Scotch Terrier” in the early 1860s. This fledgling breed finally became known as the Yorkshire Terrier in 1870—the buzzards’ journey to worldwide popularity had begun. .

Within a decade, the Yorkie had emerged from the gloom of the mines and was in the laps of the richest women in England. The Yorkshire Terrier quickly became the latest Victorian fashion accessory. Whether carried in the crook of a socialite’s arm or peeking out of her elegant bag.

The Yorkie was quickly adopted by American fanciers and was classified by the American Kennel Club as a member of the Toy Group. The breed standard requires that the Yorkie weigh no more than seven pounds, but no minimum weight is listed. Dogs as light as one pound have been bred. But, as most responsible breeders point out, when dogs are raised to this size, their health is at risk.

The Yorkshire Terrier has a long, silky, flowing dark steel-blue coat that parted along the spine to cover the body and tail. The head and legs are tan. The eyes are dark and shine with intelligence, and the tail is usually docked to medium length.

The Yorkie and apartment living go well together. A yard for him to explore and play in would be nice, but he can live without it. However, do not forget to give him a daily walk. He needs the exercise from him as much as the next dog, even if he is a fraction of his size.

It is a very playful and sociable breed. They enjoy family activity and want to be right in the middle. If you have small children, you should be careful. As tough as the Yorkie is, he is small, and rough play could end in serious injury.

Yorkshire Terriers generally 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 feature by starting to train your puppy from day one.

Socialization is equally important. Try to attend your local obedience classes with him. This will help him get used to other dogs, people, and situations. It is also an opportunity for you to meet new people and their dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are a relatively healthy breed of dog. Although impacted baby teeth, hernias, and hypoglycemia can be problem areas.

Feeding your Yorkie won’t break the bank. They don’t have the most robust digestive systems, so be careful with their diet. Feeding him dry food will keep his teeth in better condition than feeding him canned food. You can mix the two foods until you find the best mix.

Most Yorkies need regular brushing and combing to keep their coat in good condition and prevent matting. Dogs with very silky coats need a little less grooming. Frequent brushing of dogs’ teeth is also necessary to alleviate the problem of early tooth decay that this breed is prone to.

It is a pleasure to have a well behaved and socialized Yorkshire Terrier. Of course, the Yorkie has his flaws like all dog breeds, but as a loyal and affectionate companion he has few rivals.