Yorkshire Terriers of Today
This is a detailed description of how Yorkshire Terriers of today should look. A descriptive standard is written for all breeds of dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club. This standard is used to gain knowledge on how these breeds should be for look and type. Below is the standard for how the ideal Yorkshire Terrier should look. All reputable breeders of Yorkshire Terriers should use this standard to strive for perfection in breeding ideal puppies that conform to this standard. Anything else is not being responsible or true to this wonderful little breed.
Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self importance.
HEAD
Small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, with the bite neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissors bite or level bite is acceptable. The nose is black. Eyes are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color and sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression. Eye rims are dark. Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not too far apart.
BODY
Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.
LEGS AND FEET
Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when viewed from behind, but stifles are moderately bent when viewed from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dew claws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dew claws on the forelegs may be removed.
TAIL
Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
COAT
Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat appearance.
COLORS
Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are matured. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs, to which the following color requirements apply: BLUE: Is a dark steel blue, not a silver blue and not mingled with fawn, bronze or black hairs. TAN: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.
COLOR ON BODY
The blue extends over the body from back of neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker blue, especially at end of tail.
HEAD FALL
A rich golden tan, deeper in color at sides of head, at ear roots and on the muzzle, with ears a deep rich tan. Tan color should not extend down on back of neck.
CHEST AND LEGS
A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs.
WEIGHT
Must not exceed seven pounds.
DISQUALIFICATION
Any solid color or combination of colors other than blue and tan as described above. Any white markings other than a small white spot on the fore chest that does not exceed 1 inch at its longest dimension.
Approved July 10, 2007
Effective October 1, 2007
DIRECTIVE:
The new disqualification is in ADDITION to the Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard. It is there to disqualify Yorkshire Terriers with colors OTHER THAN as described in our breed standard.
DISQUALIFY:
Solid color dogs such as a solid color gold or solid color chocolate.
A chocolate and tan dog or other unusual combination of colors.
A white dog with black and tan markings (parti-color).
DO NOT DISQUALIFY:
Puppies, Class dogs and young Champions whose tan has not yet totally cleared. This is typically seen around the head area where thumb prints may exist. Young Puppies may still have an intermingling of black hair in the tan.
Puppies and young adults whose black body coat has not yet totally turned to blue.
A dog that has a small white spot not to exceed 1 inch on the fore-chest.
For more information on the Yorkshire Terrier breed standard, visit the American Kennel Club or the YTCA websites.
FINDING A YORKSHIRE TERRIER OF QUALITY
As you look for a Yorkie breeder, you also need to be checking the parents of the puppy to be able to know their size and get a good idea of their personality too. Many of the Yorkie breeders don’t have any problem in providing the details that you need or the parents of the puppy when you request such information. They understand that this information is vital as you decide to purchase a Yorkie puppy.
