Yorkshire terrier, breed of small, spirited toy dog originated and developed in Yorkshire, England, in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 9 in. (22.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 4 to 7 lb (1.8–3.2 kg). Its long, straight, glossy coat is finely textured and is dark steel blue and tan in color. Although the Yorkshire is a “human-made” breed, precisely what dogs were used in its creation remains largely a matter of speculation since no breeding records were kept and the Yorkshire area contained many popular toy and terrier types that could have been used for crossbreeding. However, the general consensus is that the Yorkshire represents the bred-down issue of crosses between Skye terrier and Manchester terrier. Today, as in the past, the Yorkshire is a very popular companion and house pet. See dog.
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