It is a known fact that dogs have been our best companions for 33,000 years. There have been numerous breeds of dogs with different sizes, shapes, and unique characteristics. Yorkshire Terriers are a small and intelligent breed and are loved by many people around the world. Here are 8 facts about this breed that are sure to blow your mind.
1. This breed is an effective exterminator.
Yorkshire Terriers are famous companion dogs, but they were actually bred to be rats in the 1850s. Although they are no longer used to kill pests, the rat is still present in their nature.
2. Yorkshire Terriers descended from a champion dog
This breed is descended from a few similar breeds, including the Clydesdale terrier and the black and tan terrier. But Huddesrfield Ben is known to be the sire of this breed, which was one of the best champion show dogs. Although he lived for only 6 years, he sired numerous Yorkies and won over 70 awards.
3. Came with another name
This breed was known as the broken-haired Scottish Terrier during the 1970s, but its current name was later chosen to honor the breed’s birthplace.
Four. Yorkie is one of the most popular dogs in America.
Yorkshire terrier is the sixth most famous dog breed in the US after Bulldogs, Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.
5. Historically, a Yorkie was the smallest dog in the world.
Currently, the smallest dog in the world is a Chihuahua that stands 4 inches tall. But this title was owned by a Yorkshire terrier named Sylvia for up to 70 years. It was only 2.5 inches tall and weighed 4 ounces.
6. Yorkshire terrier is a toy dog
This breed actually belongs to a toy group rather than a terrier group due to its small size. A toy dog is a small dog or a group of small dog breeds that also include Chihuahua, Pug, Poodle, and Pomeranian.
7. They are daring
Yorkies may be small, but they are bold and courageous. They seem to have no idea how small they are when it comes to bravery; or they are confident enough to ignore its diminutive size. In 2016, a 6-pound Yorkshire Terrier chased away a large bear wandering through its home.
8. A Yorkie was a hero of World War II.
During World War II, an American soldier encountered a Yorkie puppy while fighting in the infamous Pacific theater. He was given the name Smokey and soon became a war hero. He first acted as a therapy dog, visiting wounded American soldiers. It was later used for more tactical work where he connected the lines of communication from the outpost in the Philippines.