The diminutive Torkie is an ideal mix of both of its parent breeds qualities. The Toy Fox Terrier is an all American tiny dog. He was created in the 1930s as a vermin hunter (and even a circus performer later on) from numerous crosses with the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Toy Manchester Terrier, the Italian Greyhound, the Miniature Pinscher and the Chihuahua. The United Kennel Club was the first to officially recognize the breed in 1936. In 1949, the Toy Fox Terrier Club was formed by enthusiasts and breeders. The American Kennel Club did not recognize the breed until 2003 when they finally admitted it to the Toy Group. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tough little dog that was first bred to hunt rats in mines in England a hundred years ago. These brave little dogs were also used to hunt badgers. They would enter the badger’s underground den and drive the creature out. This spunky breed was also popular to use for hunting foxes. In 1861, the breed was called the Broken-haired Scotch Terrier. It was successfully shown for nine years in bench shows in Yorkshire. Finally, a reporter commented that the breed’s name should be changed to the Yorkshire Terrier and the moniker stuck. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885 and placed him in the Toy group. During World War II, the Yorkie had started to fall out of popularity but a brave little Yorkie war dog named Smoky revived interest in the breed.