What was the historical breeding purpose of the Yorkshire Terrier in Yorkshire, England?

Answer

To hunt rats in clothing mills

The Yorkshire Terrier lineage originates from Yorkshire, England, where their original function was highly practical and specific to the industrial environment of the time. They were intentionally bred to serve as ratters, specifically tasked with hunting and eliminating rats that infested the clothing mills prevalent in the region. This early purpose highlights the terrier drive for tenacious hunting embedded in the breed's history, a trait that can sometimes surface in their designer offspring.

What was the historical breeding purpose of the Yorkshire Terrier in Yorkshire, England?
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