All About the Yorkshire Terrier AKC Standard
In 2006, Yorkshire Terriers became the second most popular purebred dog in the United States. The year before, they had been number three. Although it seems hard to think that any breed of dog could unseat the long-reigning Labrador Retriever from the top spot, the little Yorkshire Terrier seems poised to do just that. Wondering if you’ve ever seen a Yorkshire Terrier (more commonly called Yorkies)? Chances are you’ve seen a lot of them.
Yorkshire Terriers weigh only about six pounds, although they can get heavier or lighter without getting sick in any way. They have pointy ears, a small pointy nose, and a squeaky voice. They typically have blue and gold coats, although there are slight variations in color, blue and gold dominate. These coats naturally grow long and silky, becoming almost twice the length of the dog, which requires that little red bow at the top for the dog to see.
The personality of a Yorkshire Terrier is fairly consistent, although 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 wrasses of the canine world, wanting to be in charge of every little thing in their territory. They are bossy, vocal and need to be pampered.
The breed standard lists Yorkies as alert, lively, and full of “self-importance.” (That’s putting it mildly.) Yorkies are one of the few dog breeds that can be picky eaters. They are very good watchdogs. They do not do well in a home with pet rodents, as they were bred to kill rats. However, they do well in homes with the elderly or young children. In a home with other dogs, don’t be surprised if the Yorkie becomes the alpha dog very quickly.
Other distinguishing features of the Yorkshire Terrier include a black nose, a cheerful voice, and a bold personality. Unlike a sloping spine of, say, a German Shepherd, Yorkies have even spines with the shoulder in line with the rump. They must stand at a right angle. Although blue and tan is the official color, other colors or white markings have emerged on pet-grade animals.
Yorkshire Terriers are famous for their silky coats. In show champions, the coat is about twice the length of the dog. At the shelter, the dog you’re trying to identify most likely has its fur clipped, making it look like a cross between a teddy bear and a rag. Another flaw that disqualifies a Yorkie from a show ring is having black hairs mixed with blue and tan. Also, if your Yorkie’s blue is silver blue instead of steel blue, it won’t be considered good enough for the show ring either.