The original Yorkshire Terrier weiged between 12 and 15lds (about thwice the
weight of most the ones you see today) and tthe coats were less silky and long.
They had a well founded reputation as ratters and also for bigger underground
mamals such as foxes.
I can not comment on their specific use in coal mines but they did originate in
W Yorkshire. Presumably if you had a rat problem in a pit taking a suitalbe dog
in would help solve the problem.
Graham
Judith Imgrund wrote:
> I would like to ask for your help in the following question (which is meant
> ABSOLUTLY seriosly):
>
> A friend of mine is owner of a yorkshire-terrier and absolutly convinced
> that this kind of dog was used in earlier times in English pits (in
> Yorkshire) in order to EXPEL RATS!
>
> I must admit that I had to laugh when hearing this - imaging the rats
> laughing, too, when seeing a yorkshire-terrier. However, I promised to clear
> this up - what I'm trying to do now.
>
> So: have YOU ever heard or read about dogs, especially terriers, working as
> "rat-hunter" in mines?
>
> I'm highly anxious for an answer and hope to hear from you, soon.
> Thank you very much.
>
> Greetings from the mining-city Gelsenkirchen, Germany
> Judith
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