The Yorkshire Terrier originated in Yorkshire and Lancashire, England. In the 1800s, Scotsmen who worked in cotton and wool mills began development of the breed. Details of their origin are scarce, but it is thought that several breeds including the now-extinct Paisley Terrier were crossed early in the Yorkie’s development. The popularity of the dog boomed in Britain after a Yorkshire woman named Mary Ann Foster had a dog named Huddersfield Ben shown in dogs shows throughout the country.
In the 1870s, the Yorkshire Terrier was introduced to America. As the dog became popular in Victorian England, so it did in the United States. After a small decline in popularity, a Yorkie named Smoky brought the breed back into vogue. She served with the American military in the South Pacific after being found in a New Guinea jungle. Her accomplishments included combat missions, engineering tasks and entertaining the troops.
