Corkie Dog Breed Pictures, Characteristics, and Facts

The Corkie is a mixed breed, so they don’t have history as their own breed. With that being said, both parent breeds are well established and loved for many reasons.

All terrier breeds in Scotland were originally classified as Scotch Terriers. Scotch Terriers originated on the Isle of Skye, where they were used to catch vermin. In 1873, a new system was implemented and Scotch Terriers were separated into two classes: Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Skye Terriers.The Skye Terrier classification included Cairn Terriers as well as color variations that are now known as Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers. These now separate breeds were distinguished only by color, as all three could come from the same litter. A club for Hard-Haired Scotch Terriers was formed for the three breeds in 1881; a standard was approved in 1882. In 1912, the Cairn Terrier was designated as a separate breed, taking its name from the piles of stones that marked ancient Scottish burial or memorial sites. 

While the Yorkie’s origins are often credited as being based in England, they also have Scottish roots. Scottish workers brought dogs known as Paisley Terriers with them to England; these dogs were used to keep mills free of rats. These dogs were the ancestors of the Yorkshire Terrier as we know them today. In 1861, what we would now describe as a Yorkshire Terrier was shown in a bench show as a « broken-haired Scotch Terrier. » A dog named Huddersfield Ben, born in 1865, became a popular show dog and is considered to be the father of the modern Yorkshire Terrier as we know them today. The earliest record of a Yorkshire Terrier being born in the U.S. was in 1872.  Today, they are one of the most popular toy breeds.