Yorkshire Terriers have been in the top ten of the world's most popular dog breeds for several years now. They are known to be bold, intelligent, confident and independent. Although small in build, Yorkies are so much more than their toy dog looks. Read on for fun facts about your favourite dog breed!
They are a well-rounded dog breed
They may look cute, cuddly and innocent (which they really are), but don't be deceived by their looks - Yorkies are very courageous and can be quite aggressive. These traits, along with their intelligence and independence, makes them one of the most well-rounded dog breeds. They are known to excel in agility and other dog sports, be good in therapy work, be an ideal travel companion and be a loving and protective family dog as well. In short, the breed is sugar, spice and everything nice.
They have a rat exterminator background
Yorkshire Terriers may sit like royalty, have their fur up in a pretty bow and look all majestic, but did you know that their background is a bit unglamorous? They were originally bred slightly bigger in size in the 1800s for the sole purpose of exterminating rats. As years passed, they stopped catching vermin in underground tunnels and became the companion dogs we know and love today.
They may be the inspiration for the Wizard of Oz's Toto
In the movie adaptation of the classic Wizard of Oz, the lovable dog character named Toto was played by a Cairn Terrier. However, the original drawings from the book's first edition by L. Frank Baum show that Toto seems to be a Yorkshire Terrier. The book's illustrator, W.W. Denslow, was a proud Yorkie owner and the breed was highly popular then. There's no way of knowing for sure, but there's a big chance that Toto was one!
They were originally called Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier
Originally, the breed was referred to as Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier, Broken Haired Toy Terrier or simply Toy Terrier. To honour the place where they were first bred, their named changed to Yorkshire Terrier in the 1970s.
They are also a man's dog
Despite their cute and cuddly appearance, Yorkies don't paint the picture of manliness. However, they bond as easily to male owners as they do to female ones. Famous "manly man" personalities such as Johnny Depp, Justin Timberlake, Bruce Willis, Orlando Bloom and even football star Brett Favre own a Yorkshire Terrier.
Yorkies definitely are an interesting dog breed which makes them even more loveable!