Here is another link with pictures of the eariler yorkies, http://www.yorkieviews.com/yorkiehistory.htm and how the different breeds worked into the yorkie of today. I believe that todays yorkie is just beautiful and would like to see it stay as it is now, with only health and structure improvements. Our yorkie today is so well fitted to our lifestyle and love of the small dogs that I believe it has hit the best it can be now.

You have stated what I have always thought but could never really put into words.:)
I have always loved the yorkie for what it was bred for in the first place. A working dog. And to me i think its a shame that the yorkie has lost its place as a working dog. I just love to see all the gun and working dogs actually being put to the test at competitions. Pity theYorkie isnt invoved in this anymore.

The yorkies original work was as a ratter. They competed in taverns where they were placed in boxes full of rats and bets were taken as to how long each dog would take to dispatch the rats. Such a bloody sport! When it was over the yorkie was pulled out by all that glorious and now bloody hair. I don't think I could stomach watching such a competition and have to disagree with you on this one. The Victorians made the yorkie into a companion dog and personally I don't think they had such a bad idea. If you'd lilke to learn more about the history of the yorkie may I suggest the Complete Yorkshire Terrier by Joan Gordon and Janet Bennet. These ladies are the founders of Wildweir yorkies, probably the most successful american yorkie kennel ever, boasting 169 champions. They have done extensive study on the orgin and history of the breed and will take you through the 17th century to our modern breeders. Great reading!

Great topic and input from everyone. I've been mulling over a couple questions for some time, and perhaps this is the time to ask:

First of all, I'm not talking about breeding dogs that are known to be unhealthy or produce unhealthy pups, so keep that in mind as you read my questions.

1. If only "serious" breeders breed Yorkies, will they be the only ones to own them? As the second most popular dog in America, how do the rest of the people get a Yorkie? You know what I'm talking about. The people who are most passionate about the breed and its "standards" are also very passionate about not selling their dogs except as spayed/neutered, and maybe not even then. Ordinary dog lovers don't seem to have a chance....

2. Have we gone too far with the breed standards? Have you noticed that in the past few years there hasn't been a Yorkie finalist at Westminster or Crufts? It seems that even the most dedicated breeders can't seem to breed exactly to the standard. Why is that??

I'm really not trying to start a fire storm here, but I've been wondering about this for a long time...

That is interesting. I did not know they were used in 'sporting' games in that way. Today properly bred Yorkies can become wonderful therapy dogs, companion dogs, show dogs or all three, depending on your desire.

1. People should educate themselves enough so that they will only want to buy from people who are breeding for health and quality. Why would you want to get a yorkie from someone who doesn't care enough to put some time into education and some money behind their selections. If you buy crap they are going to produce crap, you can't make gold out of straw. Selling your pups with a spay/neuter contract protects your kennel name as well as the breeders who came before you. If the pup is going into a pet home and isn't going to be bred or shown why wouldn't you want to get it fixed unless there is a health concern? Breeders are dealing with lifan and death and the future happiness of families, shouldn't they all be "serious"?
2. I can see that you have noticed that our fair breed is not an easy one to perfect. The metalic tones that the standard calls for require a complicated blending of genes to create just the right texture as well as the correct pigment. We've added alot of things into the idea of the yorkie that isn't exactly in the standard but is the present trend as well. The standard describes the body as neat, compact and well proportioned. Sounds pretty simple huh? But when you go onto a discussion it says well balanced, neat, small, sound, square appearing, with a straight level back. We have becomevery demanding of this breed but I have noticed that they have of many other breeds as well. I think as a society we are always atriving to improve something, to redefine it, to perfect it so to speak. I don't think the yorkie has ever looked better but now we need to concentrate on some health issues or beauty won't matter a whole lot.

This is Ch. Little Sir Model, first Yorkshire Terrier to win Best in Show all-breeds in US breeder. Looking at this down faced boy I can say that I feel that we have improved the breed, at least in looks.

oops..

So what you are saying is they were breed for blood sports and not catching rats. Well they might indeed have been used in that awful way. But the Yorkie was indeed breed to catch rats and was a product of different kinds of terriers being breed to produce what is known as the Yorkie. This is a passage form the yorkies history.

The Yorkshire Terrier originated from Yorkshire, the North of England. The Yorkshire Terrier's history started in the middle of the 19 centuries. The onset of the Industrial Revolution being in England in that time, many former agricultural workers came to Yorkshire to seek work at coal mines, textile mills and factories. Some of them brought their dogs - various types of terrier of that time to catch rats. The crosses between those dogs produced the original Yorkie. At first, the Yorkshire Terrier was a much bigger than today's Yorkie, but by selectively breeding the smallest individuals, the dog was gradually miniaturized over the years. They were made into a toy dog. The Yorkshire Terrier appeared fist time on a dog show in 1870. In 1874 the first the Yorkies were registered in the British Kennel Club stud book.
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The yorkies original work was as a ratter. That was the first line in my post. The competition was to prove the dogs skill and speed at getting the job done! I know the history of the breed well, my point was that when men make competitions to prove that the breed can perform the task that it was originally intended to do it doesn't always turn out pretty. Probably has something to do with men and testosterone and their general love of violence.

Yes well I have to say that the Victorians had some rather gruesome hobbys in their days to entertain themselves. Its not worth thinking about, I dont want to have nightmares. LOL

Here is a link to a interesting website with pedigrees and pictures of famous Yorkies from the past.
http://www.yorkshire-terrier.com/famous-peds.htm

I'm really impressed with the pedigrees and history you are finding. The thing I note, in addition to the change in appearance through the years, is that there are alot of these champions who don't have very many champions in their pedigree. Some do, but alot don't. It just shows how difficult it is to breed to the standard, and then voila', you get a champion out of non-champions. :confused:

on the subject of ratter's
 

I think my kiddos certainly have some of that old sport left in them.... Our newest addition, Rowdy, ran into my bedroom from outside and promptly hid under my bed.... I knew something was amiss....since my kids are always so prim proper and well mannered.... Ha! He had a big fat mouse in him mouth..... Don't know where he found it, but he caught it and was saving it for later I guess.....

YIKES! I'm not sure what I would do with a mouse in the house...Ha! Clever little guy to save it for later and not share with others.