Yorkshire Terrier 101 The AKC Yorkie Standard
In 2006, Yorkshire Terriers became the second most popular purebred dog in America. The year before, they had been number three. Although it seems hard to think that any breed of dog would topple the long reigning Labrador Retriever from the top spot, the tiny Yorkshire Terrier seems poised to do just that. Wondering if you have ever seen a Yorkshire Terrier (most commonly called Yorkies)? Chances are, you have seen a lot of them.
One of the advantages of getting purebred dogs is that their physical and personality temperaments can (for the most part) be predicted. You will also be aware of the needs for the dog in order to happy and healthy.
Knowing the Yorkshire Terrier breed standard can help you determine if the dog in your shelter is indeed a Yorkshire Terrier. Keep in mind that no dog can live up to the breed standard. A breed standard is the written description of a perfect representation of the breed. Just see if your shelter dog compares for the most part to the breed description. Odds are it will likely be off in only a few physical features.
The personality of a Yorkshire Terrier is pretty consistent, even though you will find some differences in individual dogs. There is a temperament goal in the Yorkshire breed standard that ethical breeders try to get their dogs to copy. Yorkshire Terriers are the benevolent Napoleons of the canine world, needing to be in charge of every little thing in their territory. They are bossy, vocal and need to be fussed over.
So, in order to identify a purebred Yorkshire Terrier, you need to know the breed standard other than that of a really long blue and tan coat. If this upcoming description seems hard to grasp, don’t worry. There are many websites and dog magazines that have pictures of clipped Yorkies. Going to a Yorkshire Terrier rescue is a great source of Yorkshire Terrier information. In time, you will learn the difference between Yorkies and other toy breeds.
Yorkshire Terriers pointed ears are more V-shaped than a tight point. Their noses are supposed to be always black. Their eyes are bright and alert. The Yorkshire Terrier should seem as if he thinks he’s better than everyone else and carry himself like he’s the biggest dog in the world. Their backs are level and they should stand squarely. They shouldn’t have an overbite or an undershot jaw like a bulldog.
They should stand squarely. Although blue and tan is the official color, other colors or white markings have cropped up in pet quality animals.
They are to be steel blue and tan, with black and tan in puppies only. However, there are a lot of purebred Yorkshire Terriers who are other colors. Also, some may have dewclaws and a full, long tail that resembles a purebred Poodle’s (without the pom-pom). The coat is very soft and silky and fast growing. The Yorkshire Terrier needs to be groomed every day and needs his coat trimmed about once a month, otherwise he will be a muddy mess and miserable. Show dogs don’t have dewclaws, but purebred Yorkies are still often born with them.
