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As one of the most popular of the Toy Breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier was originally bred for the unglamorous job of keeping down the rats in the Yorkshire coal pits and cotton mills. It was also used by the minors as a sporting terrier in rat-killing contests. If this seems a far cry from the dainty, profusely coated darling of today's show ring it should be noted that this all took place in the mid-10th century, when the Yorkie was bred to do the work of a terrier and then it weighed in the area of fifteen pounds.
The breed was first registered in Canada in the years 1888-1889, but how the breed was created still remains a secret. It is assumed that the black and tan terrier, the Dandi Dimmount, and the Skye Terrier were crossed to produce the original ratter. What is known as the Yorkie, was developed in the west riding of Yorkshire, and was first shown at a dog show held in Leeds in 1861 under the broad classification as "Scotch Terriers". Further "behind closed doors" breeding (this time to a Maltese, it is assumed) resulted in a smaller dog with a very long coat that by 1880 was classified as a "Broken Haired or Yorkshire Terrier". Some where about this time it was being regarded as a toy breed, not a terrier, and by 1861 it was officially given the name of "Yorkshire Terrier".
When the Yorkie first appeared as a distinct breed there were many critics who prophesied that the breed had no future and referred to it as "the Dresser Drawer Dog", this because in Yorkshire a cottage industry in breeding the little dogs flourished and they could be housed in very small quarters. While the men were not enthused about the Yorkshire Terrier, the breed made a big hit with the ladies and was soon in great demand, especially among the wealthy.
Due to its unique coat and diminutive size, the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most difficult dogs to breed. Nevertheless it ranks as the most popular toy breed in Britain today, and is high in the listings in both Canada and the United States.