Before making a dog a part of your family, it is important that you know all about him, be it facts about his breed or his history. I was thinking of adopting a Yorkie when I heard some talks about the breed being meant for hunting. Instantly this question came to my head: Are Yorkies Hunting Dogs?
To know the answer to this question was essential before bringing a Yorkie home because it could lead to many problems if Yorkies were actually still hunting dogs. I wanted a tiny cute lap dog so I wanted to be sure I would be getting that only.
So, being the dog enthusiast that I am, I set on the research to find out the answer to the question “Are Yorkies Hunting Dogs?” And what I found was very shocking.
Let’s take a look in detail at what the answer is.
Are Yorkies Hunting Dogs?
The tiny and charming Yorkshire terriers have a long history. It might shock you because their small size and appearance make this history hard to believe. Nonetheless, you must know about it! Trust me it’s very interesting.
During the 18th century Industrial Revolution, England was swarmed with immigrant mill workers and miners from Scotland. They brought their companion dogs with them and these dogs were from different terrier breeds like Waterside terrier, Skye terrier, Paisley terrier, and Clydesdale terrier.
Rats were a huge problem in mines and mills during that era so the Scottish people bred the Yorkshire terrier to hunt down rats and vermin. Their small size was an advantage as they could go in any nook and corner and find their hidden enemies. Exactly which breeds were used to create this ratting terrier is not known.
However, they were not known as Yorkshire terriers forever. Initially, they were called “Broken-haired Scotch Terriers” because of their silky hair coat.
These small dogs were used for more things than one. Let’s take a look at it.
1. Ratting Dogs
Originally bred for hunting rats, they were sent into mines and mills to track and hunt the disturbing vermin and rats. And they were the best at their jobs!
They had the skills and the small size advantage but they also had a major prey drive which never let them back off even if they were faced with enemies bigger than their size.
2. Small Animals Hunting Dogs
Apart from ratting, this terrier breed was also used to hunt small animals. They were courageous and had sky-rocketing confidence.
Owners would let them chase the prey preferably into the prey’s burrow and then the people would dig it and catch them. Sometimes they were also let in the burrows of the prey to entice that animal to come out and as soon as it did, the hunters caught it.
3. Rat-Baiting Dogs
To our disappointment, these dogs were also used in rat-baiting challenges.
Two dogs were placed in separate cages and rats were let out around them. The audience placed their bets on which dog will kill all the rats sooner.
The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 passed by the UK parliament banned baiting sport of large animals but it had no rule for rats. Hence, rat-baiting became extremely popular across the country because people turned to this for entertainment.
How Did The Yorkies Get Their Name?
Now, let’s see how this breed came to be known as the “Yorkshire terrier”.
Huddersfield Ben, a show dog, became extremely popular in Great Britain in the 1860s by winning multiple awards and rat-baiting competitions.
He helped in defending the standard of the “Yorkshire Terrier” breed and is still known as the “father of the breed”. Read more about him here.
Its transformation from a hunting dog to a companion dog occurred in the Victorian era when it became a sign of elitism as the upper-class society and royal family of England started loving its size and appearance.
The Yorkshire terrier breed found its way to America slowly in 1872 and soon it was officially registered with the AKC.
Its popularity was at its lowest in the 1940s when ‘Smoky’ a popular dog from World War II brought back fame to the breed.
Smoky saved around 250 lives and 40 planes and went on to have a therapeutic and healing effect on the wounded American soldiers. Read up more about Smoky here.
Is Hunting With Dogs Legal Today?
Dog-hunting has long been opposed by many in the United States of America. It began with a law passed in 1738 by the Virginia House of Burgesses ordering the owners to keep restricted their deer dogs except when they were actually hunting.
Wisconsin is the first state to ban dog-hunting completely. It did so in 1876. Following that, New York passed the Adirondack Deer Law of 1888 which put many regulations on hunting with dogs. All of the northeastern states of the USA ruled out dog hunting by 1920.
Hunting with dogs has been outlawed at most places but it is still legal in some southern states. However, there are many restrictions and rules that you have to follow for this sport even there.
In the next part, I will tell you what states still allow dog-hunting.
What States Allow Hunting With Dogs?
Technically there are 11 states where hunting with dogs is still legal. But Hawaii and California have almost zero whitetail deer population and hunting blacktail, mule, or axis deer with a dog is strictly controlled by the State Games Management officials.
So, the states where whitetail population exists and where hunting with dogs is legal are
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia
Hunting with dogs was allowed in Texas till 1990 but they had to ban it after some complaints from selected groups of citizens like non-hunters and landowners. Also, in the states mentioned above, dog hunting is only partially allowed in some counties of the state or is allowed with many restrictions and rules.
For instance, in Alabama, 35 out of 67 counties have banned hunting with dogs, completely or partially. Regulations have been established to keep a check on the hunting clubs in counties where dog hunting is still legal.
Similarly in Florida, compulsory registration of deer-hunting dogs and the land they are used on are required.
Is Ratting With Dogs Legal Today?
Ratting with dogs is legal in all 50 states of the United States of America. It is preferred over inhumane methods of catching rats like rat poison, snap, or glue trap.
Rats have also grown immune to these poisons due to almost no change in them over many years. Also, they take much more time and kill the rat in a horrifying way. Whereas, dogs, as well as cats, do it swiftly in a second.
Canine rat abatement is the traditional and most humane way of catching rats. They have the natural instinct to kill rats and have the ability to find them in any nook or corner due to their strong-smelling capacity.
Dogs can be legally used for pest control. However, using dogs for ratting for the purpose of sport is illegal and you can land in trouble if you are caught doing so.
Is Rat Baiting With Dogs Legal Today?
The Yorkie’s hunting skills were used for inhumane practices like rat baiting to provide some pastime entertainment to people. Thankfully, rat baiting has been made illegal and has wiped out itself over time.
In 19th century America, one source of entertainment for people was a fight between a dog, usually a terrier, and a rat. The most famous rat baiting happened at Kit Burns’ Sportsmen’s Hall.
People used to watch the dogs kill the rat as a pastime and there was aggressive betting happening as well. But not everyone considered it morally right.
With the coming up of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this inhumane rat-baiting sport died out in America by the 20th century.
Rat baiting has also been banned by the United Kingdoms and only ratting is legal as it is a more humane and effective way of dealing with rat infestations.
What Yorkies Are Bred for Today?
Hunting and ratting have been left by the Yorkshire terrier breed in the past. Now, they are bred to be your loving companion and a doggo that you can keep in your lap.
The breed has seen many changes in its temperaments and size, they are much smaller now and their prey drive has decreased significantly. However, they are still very courageous and will definitely not back off in case there is a threat to their owner.
Sometimes your Yorkie might show aggression towards smaller animals because they do have some of their ancestral inheritance. But it won’t be much of a problem if you start socializing and training your Yorkie since the time he is a puppy.
They also make great companions for older children who have been well-taught about how to treat a small Yorkie. Also, they are hypoallergenic because they don’t shed their hair much which makes it possible for people with allergies to adopt these small doggos.
Most importantly, they are very lovable and will stay that way if you keep giving them the required attention and training.
FAQs on Are Yorkies Hunting Dogs?
1. Are Yorkies Good Hunting Dogs?
Yorkies were primarily bred for hunting rats and vermins in the 19th century. They were also used to hunt some small games.
It is said that they were best at doing what they were bred for. They had driving prey instincts and more than enough courage as well as confidence. Their small size was an advantage to them but they were never scared to face larger enemies either.
But now Yorkies are not hunting dogs. They are bred for giving companionship and are now one of the most popular lap dogs in the USA.
2. Are Yorkies Hard to Train?
It is generally said that Yorkies are hard to train because they are a little stubborn and have big personalities.
But if you start at the right time and use the right techniques, it is easy to train a Yorkie. It might take some time so you need to be patient with him. But do not worry much. He will learn everything!
Keep taking them on walks every day and maintain a proper schedule for your Yorkie and he will be much easier to train.
Want to know more about how to train your dog? Click here.
3. Were Yorkies Used in the War?
There was one Yorkie who proved to be very useful in World War II. Her name was ‘Smoky’. She weighed just 4 pounds and was the first therapy dog. She also brought back her breed into the mainstream after it had started losing its popularity.
You can read up more about Smoky here.
Conclusion
The answer to “Are Yorkies Hunting Dogs” must be clear for you now. Yes, they were bred for hunting rats and vermins and were also used for hunting small game. They were quick, agile, courageous, and confident dogs who always enjoyed the thrill of hunting.
Your Yorkshire terrier today will be the cute and tiny dog who will want your attention and affection. They make very good companions and not a single day is boring with a Yorkie.
So go ahead and get a Yorkie if you have been wanting to and a little bit of training and love and care will make him your best friend and you will never get tired of him!
