By Penny Leigh
This article originally appeared in AKC Family Dog magazine.
Ask Andrea Cobb what it is like to own a Yorkshire Terrier, and she will quickly correct you.
“I’m owned by Yorkies,” the Alabama resident quips.
“I fell in love with the breed more than 20 years ago when I first met one. I love their small size, terrier attitude and confidence – and they are great traveling companions.”
Yorkshire Terriers originated in the mid-1800s in Yorkshire, England. Mill workers and miners developed the breed to keep factories and mines free of rodents. They were bred smaller and smaller as the years went on and became a very popular companion breed.
But Yorkies still love to work, and in Cobb’s home, they do.
Roger barely tips the scales at 6 ½ pounds, but he blazes through an agility course at the same pace as many bigger dogs. He was the top ranked Yorkie in the AKC Agility League for Fall 2024. His housemate, Rae, took the honor in the Summer 2024 season.
Making the achievement even greater is the fact that Cobb and her dogs only started competing in agility two years ago. Roger and Rae are already in the top level of Masters/Excellent in AKC Agility.
“I got started at Huntsville (AL) Obedience Training Club. When I first joined the club, I watched a lot of agility, and it looked really fun,” she said. “So, I signed up for classes and we have been having a great time in the sport ever since.”
Cobb owns four Yorkies and has trained them for many sports, in addition to agility, over the years. Her dogs also compete in conformation, obedience and rally. In addition, they have earned titles in Fast CAT, AKC Trick Dog, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and AKC Fit Dog. They recently tackled scent work training.
“Yorkies are independent thinkers and can be tenacious. Many people say they are stubborn,” Cobb said. “I find Yorkies to be biddable and fun to train and compete with as long as the training is fun and positive. I’ve always said that I’ve never met a stubborn one and I’ve trained several of them over the years…Keep in mind that they are highly intelligent so don’t overdo repetitive skill work. Short sessions work best in training this breed.”
Roger and Rae run on the Agility League team She Shed’s Tag Team in the largest division of Regulation Senior. The dogs tackle Masters-level courses in the Senior class. Joining the League was a great boost to their agility training, Cobb said.
“It has helped improve my handling skills, my dogs are running better, and we have improved our teamwork,” she said. “The group of handlers are super supportive and fun.”
Roger’s especially loves the jumps in agility, and he works for homemade beef and chicken treats. But his ultimate reward may surprise you. “His all-time super-duper treat is a blueberry. He would eat his weight in them if I let him.”
Many people are attracted to Yorkies because of their cute look. But Cobb said potential owners should be aware that they are terriers that act like a “big dog in a small package.”
“If someone was looking to acquire a Yorkie, I would tell them to seek out a reputable breeder. They need to do their research on the breed…Yorkies require maintenance in grooming and dentals. Some bark a lot. Expect them to always want to be around you and in your face with a playful attitude.”
For more information on the AKC Agility League: https://www.akc.org/akc-agility-league/