Yorkshire Terriers - Breeders

Yorkshire Terriers - Breeders - History

Photo courtesy of Kelticpride Kennel

Scotsmen needed a cure for rats that flooded their mines. They found it, having brought the Clydesdale Terrier to Yorkshire. The dog was crossed later with the English Black and the Tan Toy Terrier, and, very likely, with the Maltese Terrier to produce a good hunting breed, that was also beautiful and amiable. That was the way breeders produced Yorkshire Terriers.

The Yorkshire Terrier of today is quite different from the early Yorkshire Terriers of the North of England. First Yorkshire Terriers were crossed with other types of terrier, for example, the English Black and Tan Toy Terrier, and the Skye Terrier. At some point of breeding, the Maltese Terrier was also crossed with these breeds in order to help produce long silky coats. However, no records in the form of Pedigrees confirm these crosses. The Maltese resembles today's Yorkie. Therefore, these accounts of the origins of the breed and its development are most likely. Yorkshire Terriers retained the terrier temperament and the elegance of Malteses.