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SnowWa · 10-01-2006, 03:26 PM

I did find my American Kennel Club book that I had as a child - copyrighted 1951.

This book tells a lot about all the breeds that were recognized at that time (1951) - description, history, etc..... as well as the standards that were to be met if a dog was shown.

***** Interestingly -- the standards that were used in our country for the Yorkshire Terrier (in the AKC show ring) were from the Yorkshire Terrier Club in England. And - even more interesting - what the Yorkie should weigh to be shown is not even mentioned (in the 1951 AKC standards). Weight is mentioned for a lot of other breeds --- but not for the Yorkie.

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Here are some comments from my book regarding the Yorkie's history, size, etc.....

1861 --- made its first appearance at a bench show (it was not called a Yorkshire Terrier - but rather a "Scotch Terrier" at that time.

1886 --- first recognized by the Kennel Club in England as a Yorkshire Terrier.

Other quotes from the book

"It took many years before the Yorkshire was really small enough to be called a toy. The reduction in size was, most probably due to selective breeding. Still, it is remarkable that within twenty years of its origin the breed has been dwarfed to such an extent that it is among the smallest of all varieties. At least some specimens are very small."

1880 - The Yorkshire Terrier was introduced into the United States.

"Americans made caustic comments on the fact that its type was not very well fixed. It is not difficult to imagine their perplexity as to just what kind of dog was to be the style, for show records indicate that the weights varied from 2 3/4 pounds to 13 pounds. In the beginning the weight is said to have been as much as 15 pounds." (Please notice that the dogs were being shown weighing from 2 3/4 to 13 pounds).

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So ---- obviously, eventually, it was decided by the American Kennel Club that the standard weight (for showing) should be 5 to 7 pounds.

And - isn't it interesting that we still have Yorkies with the same wide range of weights that existed back then.... We also know now that the Yorkie used to be a much bigger dog - and that it has been bred down to become the smaller size that is more common today.

*** The AKC recognized 120 different breeds in 1951 -- there are certainly a lot more today. Maybe one of us can come up with the number of AKC recognized breeds we have today.

Carol Jean

10-01-2006, 03:26 PM	#1
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	1951 AKC - Yorkie Standards I did find my American Kennel Club book that I had as a child - copyrighted 1951. This book tells a lot about all the breeds that were recognized at that time (1951) - description, history, etc..... as well as the standards that were to be met if a dog was shown. *** Interestingly -- the standards that were used in our country for the Yorkshire Terrier (in the AKC show ring) were from the Yorkshire Terrier Club in England. And - even more interesting - what the Yorkie should weigh to be shown is not even mentioned (in the 1951 AKC standards). Weight is mentioned for a lot of other breeds --- but not for the Yorkie. ------------------- Here are some comments from my book regarding the Yorkie's history, size, etc..... 1861 --- made its first appearance at a bench show (it was not called a Yorkshire Terrier - but rather a "Scotch Terrier" at that time. 1886 --- first recognized by the Kennel Club in England as a Yorkshire Terrier. Other quotes from the book "It took many years before the Yorkshire was really small enough to be called a toy. The reduction in size was, most probably due to selective breeding. Still, it is remarkable that within twenty years of its origin the breed has been dwarfed to such an extent that it is among the smallest of all varieties. At least some specimens are very small." 1880 - The Yorkshire Terrier was introduced into the United States. "Americans made caustic comments on the fact that its type was not very well fixed. It is not difficult to imagine their perplexity as to just what kind of dog was to be the style, for show records indicate that the weights varied from 2 3/4 pounds to 13 pounds. In the beginning the weight is said to have been as much as 15 pounds." (Please notice that the dogs were being shown weighing from 2 3/4 to 13 pounds). ------------------- So ---- obviously, eventually, it was decided by the American Kennel Club that the standard weight (for showing) should be 5 to 7 pounds. And - isn't it interesting that we still have Yorkies with the same wide range of weights that existed back then.... We also know now that the Yorkie used to be a much bigger dog - and that it has been bred down to become the smaller size that is more common today. * The AKC recognized 120 different breeds in 1951 -- there are certainly a lot more today. Maybe one of us can come up with the number of AKC recognized breeds we have today. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.