The "Yorkie" Yorkshire Terrier Dog

The yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie as it is also called, is an adorable little toy dog breed. Independent and protective, it is also an intelligent loving, devoted companion. It's small size makes it fragile however, and prone to injury should it be handled roughly, fall off something high or get caught in closing doors. Yorkies have long silky coats that fall to either side.

It is believed the first yorkshire terriers were actually larger in size, as they had to be, because they were originally bred to hunt rats in infested mine shafts. The beautiful yorkshire terrier, as we know it today, became very popular during the english victorian era of the mid 1800's and women often carried them in their handbags. Since americans were embracing the victorian customs of the time, they also embraced the yorkshire terrier and it quickly became a popular pet in the united states as well.