The Origins of the Yorkie Hunting Dog Breed

The Yorkie hunting dog breed has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century in England. The breed was developed from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier, a feisty and energetic dog known for its hunting prowess.

The Old English Black and Tan Terrier was a popular breed among hunters due to its small size, agility, and strong prey drive. Its hunting style was to chase and flush out small game, such as rabbits and rodents.

In the late 1800s, a Scottish breeder named Walter Scott crossed the Old English Black and Tan Terrier with a small terrier from the Yorkshire region, creating the first Yorkie hunting dog. This breed was bred to be a companion dog as well as a hunting dog, making it an ideal pet for families.

The Yorkie hunting dog's hunting style was influenced by its small size and agility, allowing it to chase and flush out small game with ease.

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Yorkies were once used as hunting dogs, tracking down prey into burrows and alerting their owners.

Their strong prey drive made them well-suited for this job, but it's unlikely you'll see a Yorkie being used as a hunting dog today.

In the past, some hunters released their Yorkies into underground burrows to flush out small game.

Huddelsfield Ben, the foundation of the Yorkshire Terrier breed, was a top ratter and won over 70 ratting competitions.

Ben's popularity extended beyond the dog show circuit, as he became a favorite among female dogs, despite being a larger Yorkie at 11 pounds.

Ben's offspring consistently weighed less than five pounds, showcasing his prepotent breeding characteristics.

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The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately known as the Yorkie, has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century in England.

Originally bred in the 1800s to catch rats in cotton mills and coal mines, Yorkies quickly became a popular companion dog due to their small size and big personality.

In the late 1800s, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), solidifying their place in the world of dog breeding.

The Yorkshire Terrier's coat is one of its most distinctive features, and it comes in a variety of colors.

The most common colors are steel blue and tan, with a small amount of gold or tan on the face, legs, and chest.

The tan points can range from a light golden color to a darker, richer tan.

The blue and tan color combination is the result of a genetic interaction between the genes that control the production of the two colors.

Yorkshire Terriers require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their fur.

Daily brushing is essential to prevent matting and keep the coat looking its best.

In addition to brushing, Yorkshire Terriers need to be trimmed every 4-6 weeks to prevent overgrowth.

The coat should be trimmed to a length of about 1-2 inches all over, with a slight variation in length on the face and ears.

A well-groomed Yorkshire Terrier is a happy and healthy one!

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Huddersfield Ben was a game-changer for the Yorkshire Terrier breed, born in 1865 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire county.

He was a top ratter and confirmation show dog, winning over 70 ratting competitions.

Ben's popularity extended beyond the dog show circuit; he was a ladies' man, and his owners would often show him to female dogs.

Ben's impressive size was 11 pounds, but he consistently produced smaller offspring, weighing less than five pounds each.

This trait is still a desirable characteristic in the breed today, and it's a testament to Ben's impact on the breed's development.

Unfortunately, Ben's life was cut short, passing away at the young age of six.

Despite his short life, Ben is still considered the foundation of the Yorkshire Terrier breed, and by 1874, the breed was officially named the Yorkshire Terrier in his honor.

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Yorkies were originally bred for hunting, and they still retain a strong prey drive to this day. They were used to track down small game into underground burrows.

Their keen sense of smell and energetic nature made them well-suited for this task. Some hunters even released their Yorkies into burrows to flush out the game.

Hunters could then dig open the burrow to find their target, thanks to the Yorkie's alerting abilities.