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Famous Yorkies

Famous Yorkies

Overview

Not only is the Yorkshire Terrier one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, there are many well known Yorkie dogs in the spotlight throughout history.

Appearing on television shows, starring in movies, seen in books & magazines, heroes of wars and even found in the Guinness Book of World Records...the Yorkie is one amazing dog breed!
Famous Yorkie in Books & Magazines

In the original book version of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the year 1900, written by L. Frank Baum. and illustrated by W. W. Denslow , the dog Toto is thought to be a Yorkshire Terrier.

Even though the book does not distinctively mention Toto's breed, the illustrations in the first book have many concluding that Toto’s character was indeed originally a Yorkshire Terrier. 

The drawings certainly do look like a Yorkie and the dog is described as ""a little black dog with long silky hair". Since most other terriers have rough, wiry coats, this does lend to the Yorkie theory.

When the book was turned into a movie, the character of Toto was played by a female Cairn Terrier.
Yorkshire Terrier from the Wizard of Oz
An illustration by W. W. Denslow from the orignal The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book

Famous Yorkies in Books & Magazines

In the original book version of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the year 1900, written by L. Frank Baum. and illustrated by W. W. Denslow , the dog Toto is thought to be a Yorkshire Terrier.

Even though the book does not distinctively mention Toto's breed, the illustrations in the first book have many concluding that Toto’s character was indeed originally a Yorkshire Terrier. 

The drawings certainly do look like a Yorkie and the dog is described as ""a little black dog with long silky hair". Since most other terriers have rough, wiry coats, this does lend to the Yorkie theory.

When the book was turned into a movie, the character of Toto was played by a female Cairn Terrier.
Yorkshire Terrier from the Wizard of Oz
An illustration by W. W. Denslow from the orignal The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book

Famous Yorkies in the Movies

• Mr. Famous. This Yorkie was in Audrey Hepburn's movie “Funny Face"

• In the Ben Stiller movie Meet the Fockers, the Fockers' (played by actors Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand) had a family dog named Moses. He was played by a female Yorkie mix named Terem.

• The famous horror movie called Urban Legend features a Yorkie in the role of Hootie. Hootie is a fraternity house dog that drinks beer through a beer bong. Unfortunately, Hootie’s character does not make it to the end of the movie.

• In the film Daltry Calhoun, Aunt Dee (played by actor Beth Grant) has a Yorkie named Pickles.

• In the movie A Fish Called Wanda, The character of Mrs. Coady (played by Patricia Hayes) has 3 Yorkshire Terriers. Throughout the movie, an animal lover named Ken Pile (Michael Palin) keeps trying to assassinate Mrs. Coady, but instead unintentionally destroys the Yorkies one after the other. Following the passing of her last dog, the woman succumbs to a heart attack.

• In the movie High School Musical 2 Sharpay Evans is often seen carrying a Yorkie named Boi. The dog is actually owned by the director of the movie and his real name is Manly Ortega.

Famous Yorkies on TV

• On the TV show Green Acres, Eva Gabor's character (Lisa Douglas) owned a Yorkshire Terrier named Mignon
• Singer Whitney Houston's Yorkshire Terrier named Doogie, was featured with her on the reality TV show: Being Bobby Brown. 

• On MTV's 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave, a reality show involving now extinct marriage of model/ actress Carmen Electra and musician Dave Navarro, the couple had a Yorkie named Daisy.

• A Yorkshire Terrier named Barney was seen on the TV show Lou Grant,. The dog’s character was attached by a Pit Bull Terrier on an and affected legislation on dog fighting in several states of the US.

• Milhouse Van Houten from The Simpsons television show owns a stuffed animal Yorkie whom he calls Puppy Goo-Goo.

• On the TV show Groomer Has It, the dog that brings the messages (his name is Nemo) is a Yorkie.
• Singer Whitney Houston's Yorkshire Terrier named Doogie, was featured with her on the reality TV show: Being Bobby Brown. 

• On MTV's 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave, a reality show involving now extinct marriage of model/ actress Carmen Electra and musician Dave Navarro, the couple had a Yorkie named Daisy.

• A Yorkshire Terrier named Barney was seen on the TV show Lou Grant,. The dog’s character was attached by a Pit Bull Terrier on an and affected legislation on dog fighting in several states of the US.

• Milhouse Van Houten from The Simpsons television show owns a stuffed animal Yorkie whom he calls Puppy Goo-Goo.

• On the TV show Groomer Has It, the dog that brings the messages (his name is Nemo) is a Yorkie.
Yorkshire Terrier from the Simpsons TV show
Image: Fox| Milhouse's Dog - Replaceble You episode
Yorkshire Terrier from the Simpsons TV show
Image: Fox| Milhouse's Dog - Replaceble You episode

Renown Yorkshire Terriers in Breed History

• Huddersfield Ben (1865 – 1871), a champion show dog; is credited with being the foundation sire for the Yorkshire Terrier bred. He was between 9 and 12 pounds (4.08 and 5.44 kg), but is known for consistently producing puppies that fell into the under 7 pound (3.17 kg) range. Sadly, he only lived until the age of 6 years old when he was run over by a carriage. His body was preserved, put under a glass casing and put on display in England.

Famous Yorkies in the Dog Show World

• Champion Cede Higgins, winner of the popular Best in Show award at the esteemed Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 1978, was the first Yorkshire Terrier ever to win the title.

• In 1997, Champion Ozmilion Mystification became the first Yorkie to win Best in Show at Crufts, the world's biggest yearly dog show.

Yorkies Famous for Their Size

• Sylvia, a Yorkshire Terrier owned by Arthur Marples of Blackburn, England, was the smallest dog in recorded history. The dog passed in 1945 when she was almost two years old. At that time, the dog was only 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder, measured 3.5 inches from nose tip to tail, and weighed 4 ounces.
 
• For 1995 through 2002 Guinness World Records listed a Yorkshire Terrier named Big Boss, as the smallest dog in the world. Big Boss was listed at 4.7 inches ( 11.94cm) tall.

• A Yorkie named Thumbelina, 5.5 inches tall and 8 inches long, held the Guinness World Record for smallest living dog up until 1995.

• Tiny Pinocchio, an unusually small Yorkie, had appeared on many TV shows including Oprah and the Today Show. This poor little thing was only 1 pound (.45 kg) and only lived 2 years and 3 months most likely due to her dangerously small size.

The Famous WWII Yorkshire Terrier

• Smoky, was a Yorkie hero of World War II, was owned by William Wynne of Cleveland, Ohio. He was found alone in a ditch in the middle of the war and William Wayne made him part of his troop. Smoky parachuted out of airplanes and went on over 100 missions. In retirement, he would visit VA hospitals to cheer up veterans. 

Famous Yorkies in the White House

• A Yorkie named Pasha belonged to First Lady, Tricia Nixon and lived in the White House while Richard Nixon was president
You may also like: Yorkshire Terrier Gifts and Collectibles - A cute collection of statues, figurines, ornaments, kitchen items and more. 
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