Illustrated History of Yorkies or Yorkshire Terriers

Below you will be able to follow the long journey of the yorkie or yorkshire terrier that we know and love today. Yorkshire terriers were originally cross-bred from other dogs to create a dog that would kill rats. Yorkies used to be called Waterside Terriers, although these dogs were larger than current day yorkies. The breed standard for a yorkie is now 3-7 pounds, but the Waterside yorkie weighed in at 6 to 20 pounds.

The Waterside Terrier was a cross between a Black-and-Tan English Terrier and Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers. The AKC or American Kennel Club does not recognize these breeds of dog, although they were not cross-breed did not receive the name yorkshire terrier until the late 1800′s. These dogs also originated from Scotland and England. The Yorkshire Terrier, however, true to its name originated in Yorkshire.

Although the English Terrier and Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers are no longer a recognized breed I have researched what they may have looked like. This picture portrays a terrier that is black and tan. The terrier is very territorial, which is why this dog was used in the cross breed for a new breed that would catch rats. English terriers came in two varieties, black and tan and white. The black and tan terrier most likely was chosen for the variety of color. The two colors and the markings can still be seen in Yorkshire Terriers today.

As you can see in the above picture, the English terrier had short hair. Their coat was rough. This was a very common dog at the time. I have noticed with my own yorkies that when wet they look very similar to the terrier pictured above.

Wet after a bath               Dry and relaxed

The Paisley (second picture above) or Clydesdale Terrier’s (third picture above) hair was long as in the picture above. Their hair was also silky and a blue in back while tan on the legs and face. Dogs of this breed were known for their loyalty. This sounds very similar to our yorkies today!

According to this information it appears that two dogs with similar hair color were cross-bred for temperament, including loyalty and the spunky, energetic, territorial nature of the terrier. Preference today is given to yorkies whose hair is thick and silky like the Paisley terrier, although many yorkies hair is thin. Generally all adult yorkies hair is fine.

The yorkshire terrier was eventually bred as a toy breed to the 3 to 7 breed standard of today. Yorkies than weigh less than 3 pounds full grown are not really yorkies as defined by the American Kennel Club.