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Originally Posted by swan  Why did they become so popular? |
Rawdon B. Lee in his 1894 book, wrote on page 341:
https://archive.org/stream/moderndog...e/340/mode/2up Quote:
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"Still, since its first introduction the Yorkshire Terrier has not progressed in public estimation; indeed the contrary may be said to be more the case, the reasons for which will be plainly enough told before the conclusion of this chapter."
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After analyzing what a yorkie needs to be in top condition, he adds :
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"From what I have written it will be seen that it is no joke to keep a Yorkshire terrier in healthy and suitable condition for exhibition purposes, and such is no doubt the reason why its popularity has not progressed with the times."
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P.H. Coombs in his very interesting in all aspects article on yorkies writes:
https://archive.org/stream/americanb...arch/yorkshire Quote:
"The Yorkshire, like other Terriers, is naturally remarkable for its sagacity, alertness, courage, and eagerness in the pursuit of vermin, although many of the small, weak, inbred specimens have, undoubtedly, lost much of the Terrier instinct.
The natural courage of the breed is such, however, that it will readily resist attacks from dogs much larger than itself, and, as a ratter, would quickly obey the natural instinct if allowed to do so; but wisdom on the part of the owner usually prevents a small, valuable dog from enjoying such recreation.
They are essentially toys, and, as a rule, are most interesting and cunning as companions and house-dogs; and the large number of ladies and children attracted to their cages wherever they are shown indicates, to some extent, their popularity."
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According to Joan Gordon
http://www.theyorkshireterrierclubof...TCAHistory.pdf Quote:
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Since 1890 when there were 26 exhibitors and 1943 when only 33 dogs were registered for the year, our breed has climbed in registrations thus placing our breed high in the top ten of all breeds.
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In a book written in 2009 by Caroline Coile "Yorkshire Terriers", there is a Yorkshire Terrier's "timeline", providing us some interesting data about registration numbers in US
1900 : The AKC registers a total of 11 new Yorkshire Terriers
1909 : The AKC registers a total of 30 new Yorkshire Terriers
1939 : The AKC registers a total of 69 new Yorkshire Terriers
1940 : The AKC registers a total of 91 new Yorkshire Terriers
1943 : The AKC registers a total of 33 new Yorkshire Terriers (WWII)
1949 : The AKC registers a total of 173 new Yorkshire Terriers
1960 : The AKC registers more than 1000 Yorkshire Terriers
1970 : The Yorkshire Terrier is the most popular breed in Britain. In America
more than 13000 are registered in one year.
1980 : The AKC registers almost 25000 new Yorkshire Terriers
2006 : The AKC registers almost 37000 new Yorkshire Terriers
According to Mrs Coile, in the 60's the breed began to attract celebrity owners and be regarded as a status symbol. The masses followed and thus began to climb steadily towards the top of the popularity list.
Some other links to read :
The Kennel Club Stud Book (U.K.) Volume I - 1874 https://archive.org/stream/TheKennel...ge/n9/mode/2up History of the Yorkshire Terrier by Joan Gordon http://www.theyorkshireterrierclubof...TCAHistory.pdf A manual of toy dogs by Mrs. Leslie Williams, 1904, 3rd edition A manual of toy dogs; how to breed, rear, and feed them The dog in health and disease by Stonhenge, 1872 , 2nd edition https://archive.org/stream/doginheal...ge/n5/mode/2up