Which group did the Yorkshire Terrier's historical purpose align with, despite its current AKC classification?

Answer

The Terrier Group

Although the American Kennel Club currently places the Yorkshire Terrier in the Toy Group due to its size and companion role, the breed's heritage strongly aligns it with the Terrier Group. This connection stems from the breed's initial development in the mid-19th century, where they were employed by working-class people to hunt vermin, specifically rats, in harsh industrial environments like mills and mines. Breeds in the Terrier Group traditionally share this function of hunting vermin, often requiring tenacity and small size to access burrows. This ancestral role contrasts with many other Toy breeds whose sole purpose was companionship, making the Terrier Group designation a more accurate reflection of the Yorkie’s historical utility.

Which group did the Yorkshire Terrier's historical purpose align with, despite its current AKC classification?

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animalclassificationDogbreedYorkshire Terrier