Yorkshire Terriers or Yorkies

There are many nicknames for this breed. We are asked all the time by people if we carry teacup yorkies, parti yorkies, and micro yorkies. These names are relative to the dog's size or color. Most yorkies are small. It's the definition of small that leads to a gray zone of information.

We, at Fiesta Biewers, deal with healthy yorkies. We don't specifically breed for size. Some of our yorkies may be small and others fall into the standard weight of between 4-7 pounds.

No matter what the size...the yorkie is an excellent companion in life.

Yorkie History

During the mid 1860's and 1870's, the Industrial Revolution forced many workers to leave their homelands and travel to parts of England. Loving their dogs, the works and their families brought their pets along, too. These were a few of the common breeds: Scottish Terrier, Clydesdale Terrrier, Paisley Terrier, Tan Toy Terrier, the Skye Terrier, and the Maltesse Terrier

Vermin, rats, rodents...no matter what the name these pesky critters needed to leave. (Not much has changed.) While the working class toiled in the mines and textile mills, the dogs helped control the "pesky critters." After "ratting" around, the dogs mingled. One thing led to another and an assortment of puppies were born.

In 1865, Huddersfield Ben was entered the world. His owner, M.A. Foster, popularized the breed in England. M.A. Foster demonstrated that Huddersfield Ben was very successful in the rat killing contests (these were quite popular in the 19th century), and he won more than 70 prizes as a show dog as well.

In 1872, the Yorkshire Terrier was introduced into the United States, and was recognized by the AKC in 1878.  However it wasn’t until the 1930’s that the Yorkshire Terrier took on its modern look.  Interestingly, the Yorkshire Terrier, up until the 1930’s, weighed approximately 30 pounds, not the 3 to 7 pounds it does today.

By 1881 this ever more popular breed was introduced to the U.S. It was an immediate success and by 1889 there was an American Champion, a Yorkshire Terrier by the name of 'Bradford Harry', who was incidently the great-great-grandson of possibly the most famous Yorkie of all time 'Huddersfield Ben'.

Huddersfield Ben was, for many, the original Yorkshire Terrier and the most influential of the early sires. The history of Yorkshire Terriers would not be the same without him.

Call Pam at 361-578-9746 or email her at pam@fiestabiewers.com