What was the initial purpose of dogs developed by Scottish workers in Yorkshire industrial settings?

Answer

Eliminating rats and other vermin

The Yorkshire Terrier breed originated during the mid-nineteenth century in Yorkshire, England, driven by the needs of rapid industrialization. Scottish workers migrating to the region for employment in textile mills and coal mines utilized these early dogs for a grimly practical task: pest control. Their job required them to be small enough to pursue vermin into tight, dark spaces within the industrial workings, combining small stature with the natural courage and drive inherent to terriers. This role as ratters defined their early development before they transitioned into companion animals.

What was the initial purpose of dogs developed by Scottish workers in Yorkshire industrial settings?
DogfactbreedYorkshire TerrierTerrier