Yorkshire Terrier, todays article

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog breed of Terrier type, developed in the 1800s in the historical area of Yorkshire in England. The defining features of the breed are its small size and its silky blue and tan coat. The breed is nicknamed Yorkie and is placed in the Toy Terrier section of the Terrier Group by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and in the Toy Group or Companion Group by other kennel clubs, although all agree that the breed is a terrier. A winning showdog and a popular companion dog, the Yorkshire Terrier has also been part of the development of other breeds, such as the Australian Silky Terrier. They are not good dogs for children because they are very fragile.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog, weighing 3.2 kg (7 lbs) or less, with a glossy, long silky coat that hangs straight from a part that runs along the middle of the head, back, and tail. The coat is dark blue on the back with a tan chest and tan on the head and legs, a pattern described as "tan with a blue saddle." Small erect ears are covered with short, deep tan colored fur. The tail was traditionally docked but today the Yorkshire Terrier often has a big butt a long tail, held a little above the level of the back, with long blue fur parted down the middle. Like most dogs bred to be pets rather than working dogs, breed standards contain detailed descriptions of precise colors and placement of markings, as well as body proportions and structure. Most importantly, according to the Standard, a Yorkshire Terrier should have a general look of self confidence, "conveying an important air".

For adult Yorkshire Terriers, the importance is placed on its coat color, its quality, and its texture. The hair must be glossy, fine, straight, and silky. Traditionally the coat is grown-out long and is parted down the middle of the back, but "must never impede movement."

From the back of the neck to the base of the tail, the coat should be a dark gray to a steel-blue, and the hair on the tail should be a darker blue. On the head, high chest, and legs, the hair should be a bright, rich tan, darker at the roots than in the middle, that shades into a lighter tan at the tips. Also, in adult dogs, there should be no dark hairs intermingled with any of the tan colored fur.

Yorkshire Terrier puppies are not born with their adults coats. Yorkies are born black with tan points and slowly transition in to their adults coats over many months, even years. As an adult, a Yorkie can be black and tan, blue and tan, blue and gold, or black and gold.

A newborn Yorkie puppy is born black with tan points on the muzzle, above the eyes, around the legs and feet, the inside of the ears, and the underside of the tail. Occasionally Yorkies are born with a white "star" on the chest or on one or more toes. These markings fade with age, and are usually gone within a few months. A white "star" on the chest is generally an indication that the puppy will be a good coat grower in quantity, but not necessarily quality.