One of the smallest dogs in the world is the Yorkshire terrier, or simply york. This breed was bred in the north of England in Yorkshire in the XIX century. There are two versions of the origin of the Yorkshire Terrier. The first is that it was brought out by local peasants, using the stunts of the Waterside Terrier, and the second, the Yorkies, came from the crossing of several Scottish terriers brought to northern England from Scotland.
It is likely that in the breeding of the Yorkshire terrier the Maltese was also used. The result is a light shade and silkiness of its wool. Most likely, several species of small dogs contributed to the formation of the current look of the Yorkshire Terrier.
The population of this species has remained unchanged for over 150 years. Given that the life span of dogs of this breed is about 12-15 years, and the size and other characteristics of Yorkshire terriers are quite stable and this subspecies can rightly be considered a separate breed.
Strangely enough, but the dog was very popular in the families of the workers of the factories and in the farmers of Yorkshire. They used them as rat catchers. Particularly popular were dogs with bluish hair in the burnt. Very quickly, these small clever, nimble and cheerful dogs supplanted all other types of English terriers. And over time, these cheerful and energetic dogs moved from working-class districts and barns to palaces and castles, living rooms and luxurious boudoirs for the entertainment of secular ladies.
English Queen Victoria was not indifferent to dogs. She really liked these cute and funny little dogs. Since then, Yorkshire terriers have settled in Buckingham Palace. These times can be considered the peak of glory of this breed. Taking the example of the queen, the ladies of the court also began to get these cute little dogs.
The presence in the house of a dog of this breed was considered a good form and soon they became the property of almost the aristocratic part of Great Britain. They were dressed up and spoiled as little children. These charming babes everywhere accompanied their masters. In the paintings of that time one can often see this cheerful creature with a bow around its neck in the hands of noble ladies. They are often fancifully sheared and clothed.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the Yorkshire terrier swam across the Atlantic Ocean. Once in the “New World” it came from the gateway charmed all American nobility. And in less than 6 years, he managed to be included in the stud book of the American Kennel Club. Already at that time, avid lovers of four-legged friends of a person enthusiastically engaged in the well-being of their pets. Baths, hairdressers and clothing salons appeared for them. True, during the Second World War, interest in them somewhat decreased, but not for long.
Smoky served the revival of the popularity of Yorkshire terriers, which became the most famous dog directly involved in the Second World War. The puppy found in the foxhole was a happy mascot for pilots. Smokey somehow felt the beginning of the attack of the Japanese kamikaze and thus saved the life of William Winnie and even his comrades. Smokey was enrolled in the 5th US Air Force’s air regiment. She survived more than 150 Japanese air raids on a base in New Guinea, survived a terrible typhoon in Okinawa.
This little dog more than once the scouts took with them. She even jumped with a parachute, participated in 12 sorties, rescued the wounded, helped to lay communication cables. During the war was awarded 8 times. At the end of the war she was given the title of Corporal.
After the war, Smoky had fun for many years participating in various TV shows where she performed amazing stunts. She could make her name out of letters, walk on the wire with her eyes blindfolded and still very, very much. A monument has been erected to this famous baby and all dogs participating in the war.
In 1886, the Yorkshire Terrier breed was recognized by the Kennel Club, an English Kennel Club, as an independent breeding dog. Since 1898, a detailed description of the breed has been produced and standards have been adopted to date.
In Russia, the Yorkshire Terrier appeared in 1971. Then this wonderful dog was presented to ballerina Olga Lepeshinskaya. After a few years, the Yorkshire terriers began to appear in our cities. In 1991, the first Yorkshire Terrier Kennel was organized in Russia.
According to the existing standard, the weight of the Yorkshire terriers should be no more than 3.1 kg. Growth is not limited. The smallest Yorkshire terrier was a dog called Silvia, in Blackburn, England. She weighed only 113 g, and the height was 6.3 cm.
