Yorkshire Terriers are one of the most popular dog breeds today. This breed of dog is known for being petite, active, inquisitive and loving to their owners. Here are six facts that you may not know about Yorkshire Terriers:
Small!
The smallest dog on record is a Yorkshire Terrier, named Sylvia. She was 2.5 inches tall and measured 3.5 inches long. She is weighed in at only 4 ounces.
Origins
Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred in the mid-1800s in Europe for the purpose of catching or destroying rats as well as for hunting after badgers and foxes that often burrowed underground. The ancestor of the Yorkshire Terrier is the Waterside Terrier. This breed of dog is bluish-gray in color and on average weighs about 10 pounds. At first this new breed was referred to as the Broken Haired Scotch Terrier or the Broken Haired Toy Terrier. It was not until much later that name Yorkshire Terrier was adopted to honor their birthplace. The Yorkshire Terrier was first recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
A Popular Choice
Yorkshire Terriers are a popular breed of dog for many celebrities and public figures. Some of the most notable include Audrey Hepburn’s dog name Mr. Famous, who even made an appearance in her movie “Funny Face.” Former President Richard Nixon owned Yorkshire Terriers, named Pasha and Checkers. More recent celebrities that own Yorkshire Terriers include former NFL athlete Brett Favre, singer Britney Spears, and actress Hilary Duff.
War Heroes!
There was a famous Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky that has been honored as a World War II hero. Smokey was discovered in a foxhole by an American soldier in the jungle of New Guinea. He became known as one of the first therapy dogs by visiting injured soldiers. Smokey at four pounds and only seven inches tall was even used to help with communication lines between the outposts in the Philippines. Smokey took part in over 12 combat missions and was awarded 8 battle stars to her credit. She even had a special parachute designed for her to use during air missions.
Toy dog
Yorkshire Terriers are actually considered part of the toy group and not of the terrier group. There has only been one best in show winner at the Westminster Dog Show. That title belongs to Cede Higgins in 1978.
Esteemed Genetics
Yorkshire Terriers are so popular that many new mixed-breeds have been attempted, including the Yorkipoo (Yorkie and Poodle), the Morkie (Yorkie and Maltese), the Chorkie (Chihuahua and Yorkie) and the Corkie (Cocker Spaniel and Yorkie).