The Yorkshire Terrier breed is only 100 years old or so, but its origins are not entirely certain - probably because the working men of north England, who developed the Yorkshire Terrier for catching the terrible rats that infested the mine shafts and as a hunting dog that could penetrate into badger and fox burrows, avoided divulging the secret of their success to those who might have cashed in on a lucrative side line. However, it seems likely that Scotsmen seeking work in the woolen mills of Yorkshire brought with them various types of terrier, including the Skye and the now extinct Clydesdale. These were then crossed with local types, such as the long- haired Leeds Terrier. The Maltese, Black & Yorkshire Terrier was a much bigger animal than the one we see today, but by selectively breeding the smallest individuals, the dog was gradually miniaturized over the years. The Yorkshire Terriers were made into a fashion dog. Women carried these little dogs in their bags and under their arms. The first Yorkshire Terrier, with the characteristics demanded by its standard today, appeared in a dog show in 1870. The modern Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smaller and most luxuriously coated dogs in existence. These traits, along with its terrier heritage, have placed it as a consistent favourite with pet owners and show fanciers alike.

Appearance
The Yorkshire Terrier breed standard specifies that the dog should have a compact build and hold itself in an upright manner, conveying a confident and self-assured demeanor (a reflection of its temperament). The Yorkshire Terrier's appearance should be one of spirit, intelligence and vigor. In dog shows, a Yorkshire Terrier that appears sullen or lifeless will be penalized. Underneath the Yorkshire Terrier's silky coat, its body is athletic and sturdy, designed for an active life. When trotting about, the Yorkshire Terrier has a free, jaunty gait, with both head and tail held high. For Yorkshire Terriers, toy stature does not mean frail or fragile. Yorkshire Terriers are a long-haired breed with no undercoat, which means that they do not shed. Rather, their hair is like human hair in that it grows continuously and falls out rarely (only when brushed or broken). This makes Yorkshire Terriers one of the best breeds for allergy sufferers. Additionally, since Yorkshire Terriers carry less dander on their coat, they generally do not have the unpleasant "wet dog" odor when wet. Yorkshire Terrier puppies are born with a silky-soft black and tan coat and normally have black hairs mixed in with the tan until they are matured.

Character
The Yorkshire Terrier is a "big dog in a small dog body," ready for adventure. Affectionate with its owners, the Yorkshire Terrier can be timid around strangers and dislikes roughhousing. This is definitely not a dog that can live outdoors.
 

Temperament
Though a toy breed, the Yorkshire Terrier still retains much of its terrier ancestry in terms of personality. Individual Yorkshire Terriers sometimes differ, but they are generally intelligent, independent and gutsy. Yorkshire Terriers are quick to determine where they fit in a household's "pack." Their behavior towards outsiders will vary - they often will be inclined to bark at strangers, but some Yorkshire Terriers are outgoing and friendly towards new people while others are withdrawn and aloof. The differences in behavior in this regard are largely based on how the owner trains or conditions (and socializes) the Yorkshire Terrier. A few individual Yorkshire Terriers may be timid or nervous, rather than bold, but the vast majority do seem to meet the breed standard for a confident, vigorous and self-important personality.

Exercise/Training
Yorkshire Terriers tend to exercise themselves within the home, but they also need to have interaction in the form of games. The Yorkshire Terriers appreciate a short walk outdoors on leash and enjoy the chance to explore a safe area. 15 minutes obedience and playing with your Yorkshire Terrier will be more useful for the dogs exercise then a walk on the leash can provide.

Color
The breed standard for adult Yorkshire Terriers places prime importance on coat color, quality and texture. The hair must be glossy, fine and silky. From the back of the neck to the base of the tail, the coat should be a dark steel-blue (not silver-blue), never mingled with fawn, bronze or black hairs. Hair on the tail should be a darker blue. On the head, chest and legs, hair should be a bright, rich tan, darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no dark hairs intermingled with any of the tan. Many Yorkshire Terriers do not conform to the standard for coat color; the tan may range from a very light blonde to a darker brown, while the body may be black or silvery gray. The Yorkshire Terrier’s nose, lips, eye-rims, paw-pads and nails should be darkly pigmented.

Grooming
The long coat of the Yorkshire Terrier needs brushing or combing every day or two. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the Yorkshire Terrier as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the Yorkshire Terrier should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.