What were Yorkies bred for - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Deda1 · 07-08-2008, 02:36 PM

Could someone tell me what Yorkies were bred for? I thought they were bred to go down into small places to hunt out mice and rats. At Puppy school from H*ll last week they went around the room to tell what their dog was bred for and how difficult would their pupy be to train. My DGS (handler) said the bit about hunting and the Instructor very curtly said they were bred to sit on people's laps so that their (that is the humans) fleas could jump off onto the Yorkie. My DGS then said he thought his puppy would do good and again she very curtly announced that they were extremely difficult to train. Things just got worse I won't bore you but has anyone ever heard that about the fleas and is this true?

patty58 · 07-08-2008, 02:48 PM

I have always understood that they were bred to be ratters. Sounds like you had a wonderful time at that class.....NOT

chachi · 07-08-2008, 02:51 PM

That doesnt sound like a very nice trainer at all

chattiesmom · 07-08-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patty58

I have always understood that they were bred to be ratters. Sounds like you had a wonderful time at that class.....NOT

Exactly. If you do a bit of googling on the history of Yorkies, you will come up with enough documentation to fill volumes that they were in fact bred as hunting dogs. I am sure that many Yorkies served other purposes as well. Your "trainer" sounds like he needs some training himself - in human relations.

bchgirl · 07-08-2008, 03:11 PM

I'd be inclined to do some....extra credit and print it out to take to class.

Just what is this person's credentials? Cause they certainly do not know about the yorkshire terrier breed.

pookiebear · 07-08-2008, 03:17 PM

I read that they were mine hunters. But I'm gonna do a little looking

pookiebear · 07-08-2008, 03:17 PM

PURPOSE OF BREED:
This little terrier once worked as a ratter in the Yorkshire coal pits and cotton mills. Selective breeding resulted in the tiny dogs you now see representing this breed today. These small dogs were highly favored by wealthy English women, who used to call them ”the dresser drawer dog”

teffiemoore · 07-08-2008, 03:34 PM

I'm not an expert on this breed but I have done alot of research on Yorkies and how they originated, where, what they were used for ect. and I have never run across anything even close to what this instructor is saying about them...Ask her where she was able to find her information, that you were telling some of us dumb yorkie owners about it and we were just wanting to continue to study about them...maybe thats what some of her ancestors used them for...teehee...she sounds like she looooves her job...

Woogie Man · 07-08-2008, 06:02 PM

From what I understand, fur stoles were used to attract fleas off the owner...that was THEIR original purpose...never heard of any dog being used as flea bait. Sounds like a great class...your instructor is an idiot.

HighlandYorkies · 07-08-2008, 06:18 PM

I am very offended...tell that trainer he is a trainer from h*ll and Yorkie ghosts will be after him !
I am Scottish and they came from mixes of dogs here in Scotland and taken to Yorkshire in England to be used as RAT catchers in the coal pits as they were nice and small and could get into crevices easily ! They became very popular

It is deffinitely true as my treasure Tara is a gentle tiny wee soul and I kept RATS for a short time.....and she hated them...if you mention RATTIES now she barks like mad...one bit her ear once and there was blood everywhere...she hates them !!!

Love Debra x x x x

YorkieRose · 07-08-2008, 06:27 PM

I posted this a few weeks ago...a friend went to a Petsmart class and the trainer was from the UK..she started by saying there was one breed she did not like to train and it was the Yorkie...all were usually spoiled, hyper and poorly adjusted...I have heard a few trainer state their dislike of Yorkies...

Bizzymammabee · 07-08-2008, 06:28 PM

Tell that trainer he needs to go back and learn some manners. Jack a$$. He sounds ignorant as hell.

ILOVEYORKIES2 · 07-08-2008, 07:52 PM

They were bred to catch rats and mice in the mines in Yorkshire London. I have had a few Yorkies in my time that were better at catching mice then any cat.

navygirl76 · 07-08-2008, 08:05 PM

sounds like your trainer just doesn't like yorkies at all! i dont know if i would train my dog with someone who didnt like him, dogs arent stupid and can pick up on that hint lol

HighlandYorkies · 07-08-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILOVEYORKIES2

They were bred to catch rats and mice in the mines in Yorkshire London. I have had a few Yorkies in my time that were better at catching mice then any cat.

Lol !!!
Read my post above yours hee hee
They came from SCOTLAND....and Yorkshire is not in London-London is a city not a country....Yorkshire is a region in England and London is the capital of England but in a different region to Yorkshire...
They were taken to Yorkshire from Scotland yes...and you are right about the coal pits. (Scotland is not England as many of you think either...it is a country in it's own right north of England)
I would be lost about places in the USA too don't worry hee hee

Debra x x x

07-08-2008, 02:36 PM	#1
Deda1 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 7	What were Yorkies bred for Could someone tell me what Yorkies were bred for? I thought they were bred to go down into small places to hunt out mice and rats. At Puppy school from H*ll last week they went around the room to tell what their dog was bred for and how difficult would their pupy be to train. My DGS (handler) said the bit about hunting and the Instructor very curtly said they were bred to sit on people's laps so that their (that is the humans) fleas could jump off onto the Yorkie. My DGS then said he thought his puppy would do good and again she very curtly announced that they were extremely difficult to train. Things just got worse I won't bore you but has anyone ever heard that about the fleas and is this true?

07-08-2008, 02:48 PM	#2
patty58 Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: texas Posts: 4,875	I have always understood that they were bred to be ratters. Sounds like you had a wonderful time at that class.....NOT __________________ Patty, Murfee's Mommy Believe Everything Happens For A Reason

07-08-2008, 02:51 PM	#3
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 23,116	That doesnt sound like a very nice trainer at all __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

07-08-2008, 03:11 PM	#5
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 11,001	I'd be inclined to do some....extra credit and print it out to take to class. Just what is this person's credentials? Cause they certainly do not know about the yorkshire terrier breed. __________________ Deb, Ramsey, Reese, Reggie & Trace who watches over us Ramsey 's Bailey

07-08-2008, 03:17 PM	#6
pookiebear Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brunswick, Georgia. On the beach! Posts: 869	I read that they were mine hunters. But I'm gonna do a little looking __________________ "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." John Lennon Bernie, Baxter and Bella,

07-08-2008, 03:34 PM	#8
teffiemoore Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 736	I'm not an expert on this breed but I have done alot of research on Yorkies and how they originated, where, what they were used for ect. and I have never run across anything even close to what this instructor is saying about them...Ask her where she was able to find her information, that you were telling some of us dumb yorkie owners about it and we were just wanting to continue to study about them...maybe thats what some of her ancestors used them for...teehee...she sounds like she looooves her job... __________________ Steph & Furkids,Yogi, Bogus, and Suki www.dogster.com/?320202 www.dogster.com/dogs/778799 Join YAP Here! "Animals are the most agreeable freinds"..

07-08-2008, 06:02 PM	#9
Woogie Man YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 679	From what I understand, fur stoles were used to attract fleas off the owner...that was THEIR original purpose...never heard of any dog being used as flea bait. Sounds like a great class...your instructor is an idiot.

07-08-2008, 06:27 PM	#11
YorkieRose YT 4000 Club Member Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 7,207	trainer I posted this a few weeks ago...a friend went to a Petsmart class and the trainer was from the UK..she started by saying there was one breed she did not like to train and it was the Yorkie...all were usually spoiled, hyper and poorly adjusted...I have heard a few trainer state their dislike of Yorkies... __________________ Pat, Kate, Becca and Pinkkee Prim

07-08-2008, 06:28 PM	#12
Bizzymammabee Luvs Lulu Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 6,174	Tell that trainer he needs to go back and learn some manners. Jack a$$. He sounds ignorant as hell. __________________ Beth mommie to Zoey & Toby Proud member of Petite Pups United! RIP Lulu. My world will never be the same without you. 12/31/07

07-08-2008, 07:52 PM	#13
ILOVEYORKIES2 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 48	They were bred to catch rats and mice in the mines in Yorkshire London. I have had a few Yorkies in my time that were better at catching mice then any cat.

07-08-2008, 08:05 PM	#14
navygirl76 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 157	sounds like your trainer just doesn't like yorkies at all! i dont know if i would train my dog with someone who didnt like him, dogs arent stupid and can pick up on that hint lol __________________ Proud U.S. Navy veteran! Mommy to Teddy, his cat sisters Layla and Salem and a bunch of fish