Ralph Lauren Polo article about Yorkies! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

chrstna · 08-27-2004, 05:44 AM

I found this on another board. It was a delightful little article. I enjoyed reading it a lot, and I even found out a thing or two I did not know before.

I thought you guys might enjoy reading it over here at YorkieTalk.

http://entertainment.polo.com/editor...ic/top_dog.asp

My favorite quote from the article: "Forget expensive shoes and trendy handbags; the in crowd's new accessory this season is the adorable Yorkshire terrier."
We are so darn stylish.

Higgin's Mom · 08-27-2004, 06:50 AM

Thank you for sharing that wonderful article! At my age and my weight, it's nice to know that at least I am trendy with my dog!

Maddie-Rudy-Mom · 08-27-2004, 10:16 AM

Great article, thanks for sharing. I am glad to know I am stylish.

I hope people don't go out and buy a Yorkie to be stylish, I remember when 101 dalmations came out everyone wanted one and then caring for them was to much and the shelters were full of them. I would hate to see this happen with the yorkies..........Cindy

chrstna · 08-27-2004, 10:34 AM

I thought of that myself Cindy. But, I meant to say that we (Yorkie-owners) were stylish without even knowing! How cool

max's mom · 08-27-2004, 05:39 PM

How far ahead of the game are we?????

Our little ones can stop "traffic"....wherever we are......people are drawn to these little furry ones and we proud owners are so proud of them

Glad to see that they are getting the respect that they earned.

Do worry about those that are not wanted for the right reasons however

Max's Mom

fasteddie · 08-27-2004, 10:57 PM

Here's the full article, nice find chrstna!
---
This year, the Yorkshire terrier has shaken off its common canine status and nudged its shiny black nose into the head of "It dogdom." Indeed, this little tan and gray pup, with its signature silky mane and charming personality, is on the minds, and for that matter, in the arms, of the in crowd, trendsetters like Tara Reid and Gisele Bündchen, just to name a few, who rarely leave the house without their pocket-sized pooches in tow. Head of the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, owner of Westminster winner Steppin' Up Billie the Kid and author of A New Owners Guide to the Yorkshire Terrier, Janet Jackson, concurs, "I would definitely call the Yorkshire terrier one of the new glamour breeds."

The Yorkshire terrier's current sitting-pretty ranking may not be a surprise to many of its long-time fans, who more fondly refer to it as the Yorkie, but what may be a surprise is the dog's rags-to-riches history—literally. For once upon a time in late eighteenth-century Yorkshire, England, this tiny terrier was often used as a "towel." A mix of terrier breeds imported with migrant Scottish craftsmen who set out to capitalize on England's thriving textile industry and local British breeds, the Yorkie predecessor inherited a non-shedding coat perfect for absorbing the oils that would build up on the hands of wool weavers. As it spent most of its days prowling around the mills, encouraged to run loose and scare off vermin, the dog was constantly available to the wool weavers—a roaming rinse, if you will—and thus continued to receive a top-notch conditioning hair treatment that produced a remarkably lustrous coat. Dog breeders eventually took note of this uniquely beautiful trait, and capitalized on it until the Yorkie became a distinct pedigree. The Yorkie grew in popularity as a housepet in Victorian England and came Stateside shortly thereafter, where it has ever since continued to attract new admirers, including Richard Nixon, Helen Hayes, Lauren Bacall and Audrey Hepburn, whose Yorkie named Famous given to her by husband Mel Ferrer graced the big screen in Funny Face.

Jackson credits today's renewed coveting of the breed to its toy size. "All small dogs are becoming more popular as we urbanize," she explains. "And Yorkies are a small dog with a big-dog personality. They are so outgoing and sure of themselves—spunky, but not hyper."

If you're interested in bringing a Yorkshire terrier into your life, first remember that no dog, no matter how trendy, should be cast away at the end of the season. You might change the bag in which you carry your companion as often as you wish, but your Yorkie will be by your side for on average 15 years. As the breed has become so popular, it is also highly advised that you conduct the necessary research to locate a reputable breeder, who carefully screens the parents of litters for congenital diseases and provides the necessary preliminary shots, health tests and support throughout the dog's life should you need it. A good place to begin your research is with Jackson at the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (www.ytca.org). She or one of her associates can provide you with addresses of approved and registered breeders, answer questions you might have and, if adoption is a possibility for you, refer you to the Yorkie rescue foundation. You might also want to visit local dog shows (check out the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org for listings), where you can meet with Yorkie breeders and handlers to ask any questions you might have.

Jackson cautions potential owners to be aware of a few misperceptions people new to the breed often have, however. First of all, while it is no surprise that this dainty dog might be able to nap in a teacup, any breeder who claims to have teacup Yorkies is misrepresenting them. Yorkies only come in one size, weighing between four and seven pounds. Also, don't expect your new puppy to be a fuzzy furball and in fact avoid choosing a puppy with a soft coat. "A soft coat will eventually mat," explains Jackson. "You want your puppy Yorkie to look like a baby Doberman pinscher. It should have crisp, sparse, shiny and sleek hair, which will eventually grow into a proper Yorkie coat." She also adds jokingly that one of the biggest misperceptions with the breed is that it is, well, a girly breed. "As a breeder, I see this all the time," she explains. "Wives drag their husbands here to look at a puppy and the husbands stand there, thinking they don't want such a little dog. And you would be amazed at how often the dog ends up becoming the husband's dog."

Lastly, Jackson explains that it is necessary for a potential owner to make sure their lifestyle is right for a Yorkie. While the Yorkie coat is relatively easy to maintain, it does require regular combing, trimming and bathing. She also says it's important to remember that while the courageous, lively temperament of the Yorkie terrier is what gives it a distinctive grand personality, this temperament will also bring out a bit of the noisy watchdog in this canine, which should be considered especially if the owner lives near particular neighbors who may not appreciate the little pooch's call to action every time a package arrives at the door or the newspaper is dropped off. Lastly, while the Yorkie is intelligent and easy to train, Jackson says it can be stubborn and feisty and will require of its owner a fair trade for good behavior. "There are some breeds that will love you and do anything to please you, but that's not a Yorkie," she says. "They're more like, if you love me, what will you do for me."

And isn't that when all is said and done what we love about the glamourous, be it pooch or person: a diva to the end. At least in this case, these diminutive divas offer something in exchange. As Bündchen says of her little Vida, for example, "I bought my Yorkie as soon as I arrived in New York. She was my first friend."
---
And here's Yoda sporting the latest Ralph Lauren... He got it for Christmas last year.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...highlight=polo

chrstna · 08-28-2004, 04:40 AM

Fasteddie.. I love Yoda in his Polo. He is definitely lookin like an OG.. especially in the 2nd pic..LOL! Where did you find the Polo - online or in store? It's really cute.. I think it's Bridgette's new must-have item for the fall, even though she already has her Coach coat! :P

fasteddie · 08-28-2004, 01:55 PM

chrstna: polo.com had doggy shirts/sweaters/assorted other stuff only for Christmas 2003 last year. They sold out REALLY FAST. A friend of mine saw the Polo shirts for dogs in an ad somewhere and told me about it. It was one of Yoda's gifts for Christmas last year and I got a matching shirt for me. I'm sure they will have more clothes for Xmas 2004, as it was a hit.

chrstna · 08-28-2004, 03:44 PM

OMG, I didn't even think about the matching shirt! Sounds like it definitely was a crowdy-pleaser.

fasteddie · 08-30-2004, 10:30 AM

Yes, everyone will think you are one crazy dog lover and your Yorkie is spoiled to no end... Which is of course, TRUE! But the matching shirt will make one happy Yorkie Daddy or Mommy!

08-27-2004, 05:44 AM	#1
chrstna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2004 Location: AC, NJ / Philly, PA Posts: 86	Ralph Lauren Polo article about Yorkies! I found this on another board. It was a delightful little article. I enjoyed reading it a lot, and I even found out a thing or two I did not know before. I thought you guys might enjoy reading it over here at YorkieTalk. http://entertainment.polo.com/editor...ic/top_dog.asp My favorite quote from the article: "Forget expensive shoes and trendy handbags; the in crowd's new accessory this season is the adorable Yorkshire terrier." We are so darn stylish.

08-27-2004, 05:39 PM	#5
max's mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 202	We knew that!!!!!! How far ahead of the game are we????? Our little ones can stop "traffic"....wherever we are......people are drawn to these little furry ones and we proud owners are so proud of them Glad to see that they are getting the respect that they earned. Do worry about those that are not wanted for the right reasons however Max's Mom

08-27-2004, 06:50 AM	#2
Higgin's Mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 852	Thank you for sharing that wonderful article! At my age and my weight, it's nice to know that at least I am trendy with my dog!

08-27-2004, 10:16 AM	#3
Maddie-Rudy-Mom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 1,887	Great article, thanks for sharing. I am glad to know I am stylish. I hope people don't go out and buy a Yorkie to be stylish, I remember when 101 dalmations came out everyone wanted one and then caring for them was to much and the shelters were full of them. I would hate to see this happen with the yorkies..........Cindy

08-27-2004, 10:34 AM	#4
chrstna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2004 Location: AC, NJ / Philly, PA Posts: 86	I thought of that myself Cindy. But, I meant to say that we (Yorkie-owners) were stylish without even knowing! How cool

08-27-2004, 10:57 PM	#6
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	Here's the full article, nice find chrstna! --- This year, the Yorkshire terrier has shaken off its common canine status and nudged its shiny black nose into the head of "It dogdom." Indeed, this little tan and gray pup, with its signature silky mane and charming personality, is on the minds, and for that matter, in the arms, of the in crowd, trendsetters like Tara Reid and Gisele Bündchen, just to name a few, who rarely leave the house without their pocket-sized pooches in tow. Head of the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, owner of Westminster winner Steppin' Up Billie the Kid and author of A New Owners Guide to the Yorkshire Terrier, Janet Jackson, concurs, "I would definitely call the Yorkshire terrier one of the new glamour breeds." The Yorkshire terrier's current sitting-pretty ranking may not be a surprise to many of its long-time fans, who more fondly refer to it as the Yorkie, but what may be a surprise is the dog's rags-to-riches history—literally. For once upon a time in late eighteenth-century Yorkshire, England, this tiny terrier was often used as a "towel." A mix of terrier breeds imported with migrant Scottish craftsmen who set out to capitalize on England's thriving textile industry and local British breeds, the Yorkie predecessor inherited a non-shedding coat perfect for absorbing the oils that would build up on the hands of wool weavers. As it spent most of its days prowling around the mills, encouraged to run loose and scare off vermin, the dog was constantly available to the wool weavers—a roaming rinse, if you will—and thus continued to receive a top-notch conditioning hair treatment that produced a remarkably lustrous coat. Dog breeders eventually took note of this uniquely beautiful trait, and capitalized on it until the Yorkie became a distinct pedigree. The Yorkie grew in popularity as a housepet in Victorian England and came Stateside shortly thereafter, where it has ever since continued to attract new admirers, including Richard Nixon, Helen Hayes, Lauren Bacall and Audrey Hepburn, whose Yorkie named Famous given to her by husband Mel Ferrer graced the big screen in Funny Face. Jackson credits today's renewed coveting of the breed to its toy size. "All small dogs are becoming more popular as we urbanize," she explains. "And Yorkies are a small dog with a big-dog personality. They are so outgoing and sure of themselves—spunky, but not hyper." If you're interested in bringing a Yorkshire terrier into your life, first remember that no dog, no matter how trendy, should be cast away at the end of the season. You might change the bag in which you carry your companion as often as you wish, but your Yorkie will be by your side for on average 15 years. As the breed has become so popular, it is also highly advised that you conduct the necessary research to locate a reputable breeder, who carefully screens the parents of litters for congenital diseases and provides the necessary preliminary shots, health tests and support throughout the dog's life should you need it. A good place to begin your research is with Jackson at the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (www.ytca.org). She or one of her associates can provide you with addresses of approved and registered breeders, answer questions you might have and, if adoption is a possibility for you, refer you to the Yorkie rescue foundation. You might also want to visit local dog shows (check out the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org for listings), where you can meet with Yorkie breeders and handlers to ask any questions you might have. Jackson cautions potential owners to be aware of a few misperceptions people new to the breed often have, however. First of all, while it is no surprise that this dainty dog might be able to nap in a teacup, any breeder who claims to have teacup Yorkies is misrepresenting them. Yorkies only come in one size, weighing between four and seven pounds. Also, don't expect your new puppy to be a fuzzy furball and in fact avoid choosing a puppy with a soft coat. "A soft coat will eventually mat," explains Jackson. "You want your puppy Yorkie to look like a baby Doberman pinscher. It should have crisp, sparse, shiny and sleek hair, which will eventually grow into a proper Yorkie coat." She also adds jokingly that one of the biggest misperceptions with the breed is that it is, well, a girly breed. "As a breeder, I see this all the time," she explains. "Wives drag their husbands here to look at a puppy and the husbands stand there, thinking they don't want such a little dog. And you would be amazed at how often the dog ends up becoming the husband's dog." Lastly, Jackson explains that it is necessary for a potential owner to make sure their lifestyle is right for a Yorkie. While the Yorkie coat is relatively easy to maintain, it does require regular combing, trimming and bathing. She also says it's important to remember that while the courageous, lively temperament of the Yorkie terrier is what gives it a distinctive grand personality, this temperament will also bring out a bit of the noisy watchdog in this canine, which should be considered especially if the owner lives near particular neighbors who may not appreciate the little pooch's call to action every time a package arrives at the door or the newspaper is dropped off. Lastly, while the Yorkie is intelligent and easy to train, Jackson says it can be stubborn and feisty and will require of its owner a fair trade for good behavior. "There are some breeds that will love you and do anything to please you, but that's not a Yorkie," she says. "They're more like, if you love me, what will you do for me." And isn't that when all is said and done what we love about the glamourous, be it pooch or person: a diva to the end. At least in this case, these diminutive divas offer something in exchange. As Bündchen says of her little Vida, for example, "I bought my Yorkie as soon as I arrived in New York. She was my first friend." --- And here's Yoda sporting the latest Ralph Lauren... He got it for Christmas last year. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...highlight=polo

08-28-2004, 04:40 AM	#7
chrstna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2004 Location: AC, NJ / Philly, PA Posts: 86	Fasteddie.. I love Yoda in his Polo. He is definitely lookin like an OG.. especially in the 2nd pic..LOL! Where did you find the Polo - online or in store? It's really cute.. I think it's Bridgette's new must-have item for the fall, even though she already has her Coach coat! :P

08-28-2004, 01:55 PM	#8
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	chrstna: polo.com had doggy shirts/sweaters/assorted other stuff only for Christmas 2003 last year. They sold out REALLY FAST. A friend of mine saw the Polo shirts for dogs in an ad somewhere and told me about it. It was one of Yoda's gifts for Christmas last year and I got a matching shirt for me. I'm sure they will have more clothes for Xmas 2004, as it was a hit.

08-28-2004, 03:44 PM	#9
chrstna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2004 Location: AC, NJ / Philly, PA Posts: 86	OMG, I didn't even think about the matching shirt! Sounds like it definitely was a crowdy-pleaser.

08-30-2004, 10:30 AM	#10
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	Yes, everyone will think you are one crazy dog lover and your Yorkie is spoiled to no end... Which is of course, TRUE! But the matching shirt will make one happy Yorkie Daddy or Mommy!