The Yorkshire Terrier nowadays is so much different from North England’s Yorkies. There are different accounts of this breed’s roots, and formation. This article discusses about the Yorkshire Terrier History according to reliable books and other sources intended for both the novice and experienced fanciers in all parts of the world.Before 1750, many British natives worked in agriculture. The start of the Industrial Revolution gave birth to many changes to family life. Small communities were formed in Yorkshire – around factories, textile mills, and coal mines. These people who, originally came from Scotland, migrated to these areas to find better employment. They brought with them the Paisley Terrier or Clydesdale Terrier, a breed of working dogs and they looked much larger than today’s Yorkshire Terriers. These dogs were used to hunt and kill rats and other little animals.

In addition, the Clydesdale Terrier breed were inexorably crossed with other kinds of terrier, presumably the Skye Terrier and English Black and Tan Toy Terrier; it is also theorized that at some point the Maltese Terrier was crossed with these dogs mentioned to help create dogs with long coats.

As the appearance of the Maltese looks like that of the Yorkie nowadays, this is probably true. However, no solid accounts of ancestry available to verify these crosses – one reason is that of the poor literacy level in those times – but one feasible fact is known about the kind of people who bred them. It is very much apparent that the early Yorkshire Terrier breeders had solid, known choices of the kind of dogs they ventured to breed.

We can witness in the Yorkshire Terriers today how remarkably the terrier temperament has been held.

One of the most well-known Yorkshire Terriers was Huddlersfield Ben, owned by Mr. M.A. Foster and bred by Mr. Eastwood. This Yorkie, born in 1865 and died in 1871, is said to be the father of today’s Yorkshire Terriers. Back in the day, Huddersfield Ben was a very popular stud dog who achieved many awards by competing in dog shows, and had impressive influence in Yorkshire Terrier breed standards.

As part of the Yorkshire Terrier history, in 1874 the early Yorkies were registered in the British Kennel Club stud book, and were referred to as Yorkshire Terriers of Broken Haired Scottish Terriers, until 1896 when the Kennel Club established the Yorkies as in individual breed.

A whole lot of individuals have worked very hard since these early times to improve the Yorkshire Terrier breed, and to then much is owed, and many of their early Yorkies truly became the base of many kennels in North America and other parts of the world.

The Yorkie breed now flourishes all over the world and the first breeders who took part in producing the modern-day toy terrier would certainly be amazed at the success of this delightful breed.In 1932, only three hundred Yorkies were  registered with the BKC (British Kennel Club); 2,313 in 1957, and in the 1970s, the Yorkie breed was indeed the most well-known breed in Britain. The breed’s immense popularity flourished until 1990 with a total record of 25,665 Yorkshire Terriers. But then, the stats started to diminish and in 1994 there were 14,343 registrations, with the Yorkie breed being entered in registry as the 7th most well-known breed.

The most famous Yorkie of our day in the United Kingdom was CH Blairsville Royal Seal, whose dam was CH CH Beechrise Surprise, and the sire, CH Blairsville Most Royale. Also known as ‘Tosha’ to his close associates, he was bred, owned, and handled by Mr. Brian Lister and his wife Rita Lister.

Tosha was the top priority back then; really well-taken care of, stood out among the other dogs, and nobody could ever forget him in dog shows. Even the novice could feel his presence and a lot of people have said that just thinking about the accomplished Yorkie brings a lump in the throat.

During his career as a show dog, Tosha garnered 50CCs, all scrutinized by numerous judges. He received 16 times Reserve Best In Show, and 12 times Best In Show at all breed CH shows. Tosha took 33 Group wins, and went Reserve Best In Show at Cruft’s back in 1978 – exactly like his mom did before his time. CH Blairsville Royal Seal was Top Dog in all breeds for two straight years.

He also becamse the sire of many prominent Yorkie breed champions; his legacy continues to show in pedigrees. Ironically, when Tosha died in 1988 -at age 15 – that same year, the Yorkie’s record for the most number of CCs in the breed was taken over by Osman Sameja’s CH Ozmilion Dedication “Jamie”, who ended his show career with 52 CCs, even though a few of these were duplicated by the same judges.

Jamie has a couple of two breed CH show wins and his many Toy group wins assisted him to achieve the Top Dog title in 1987. The top Yorkie terrier kennel of all time is the Ozmilion kennel, and has the record for the number of champions produced.

Jamie’s grandson, CH Ozmilion Mystification “Justin”, preceded and broke another record in 1997. Justin was the first Yorkie ever who competed and won the Best In Show award at the most sophisticated dog show, Cruft’s. he then retired after taking part in this event, garnering these tiles: Pedigree Chum Champion overall Stakes winner (1997), Crufts Supreme Champion (1997), Top Dog All Breeds (1996), Top Yorkie (1994-97). Justin also won 3 BIS awards, 7 RBIS, All Breed shows, 9 Club BIS, 22 Group Winds, 48 with Best of breed, and 51 CCs. Jamie died in the same year, 1997.