Interesting from another thread
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...391#post309391
It is guessed that the Yorkshire county miners crossed the Black and Tan English Terrier, this dog was rough-coated, and the long-coated, blue-gray Waterside Terrier breeds were infused in the Scottish Terriers. The Maltese and Skye Terrier are also possibilities.
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The ONLY reference I have (and others have found) to the Maltese being used was a pronouncement by a "dog writer" (a reporter of sorts) of the day (cira 1880's). In one of his critques of a current dog show......he remarked as to the extreme improvement in the "silk coated Yorkshire Terrier" of the previous 20 years or so. There is mention of the reporter and his proclaimation in Joan and Janet Gordon's book...."The Yorkshire Terrier". And when I saw this in the book.....I researched and found the original article.....this "reporter" was basicly just making note of the "improved silk coat". He could not believe ordinary breeders had been able to accomplish such a feat.....they just had to use the Maltese blood. <G> I have many books from the early years of the Yorkshire Terrier....and none of the breeders of that era agree that this was done.....after all....how in the heck would they retain the saddle pattern....a Maltese does not have a saddle....it is all one color. And a Yorkie does have a unique body style.