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YORKSHIRE TERRIER
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Copyright 1991, United Kennel
Club, Inc.
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History
The Yorkshire Terrier is, with his long flowing coat and graceful gait, probably the most glamorous of the smaller (Toy-type) terrier breeds. In the 19th century, however, he weighed about fifteen pounds and had been originally developed to perform the less-than-glamorous but necessary job of controlling the rats in the coal mines and cotton mills of Yorkshire, England.
The exact development of the Yorkshire Terrier is obscure but most of the various breeds which went into its make-up are known. One, the so-called "Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier," was brought to Yorkshire by Scottish weavers who had migrated from Scotland in the mid-19th century. Another was a small, six to 20-pound (usually averaging about ten pounds), longish-coated and bluish-gray in color dog called the Waterside Terrier, which was common in Yorkshire and was bred for hunting and killing rats. This Waterside Terrier was crossed with the Old English Black and Tan Terrier, the rough-coated English Terrier, the Paisley Terrier and the Clydesdale Terrier to produce the current day Yorkshire Terrier. Additional influences probably included the Maltese and the Skye Terrier. Because of the great improvement in the dog that had been done in Yorkshire, around 1870 it was decided that the breed should be called the Yorkshire Terrier rather than Scottish Terrier. In 1886, it was officially given the breed name of "Yorkshire Terrier." By the late 1870s, sizes averaged from three to seven pounds, where they remain today.
The Yorkshire Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1956.
Forequarters ______________________________________________
The forelegs are straight. The elbows are well held in, but do not restrict movement. The pasterns are strong and straight. The ideal shoulder angulation is 45 degrees, with a good lay to.
Feet _____________________________________________________
The feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws may be removed from the forelegs and are generally removed from the hind legs.
Tail ______________________________________________________
The tail is docked to a medium length. The tail set is level with the topline, with the tail carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
Coat _____________________________________________________
The hair is glossy, silky and fine in texture, reflecting a certain brilliance, and feels cool to the touch. The coat on the body hangs straight, showing the outline of a well-bodied Yorkie. The coat of an adult dog will eventually reach floor length. The fall on the head is long and tied up in the center with a bow. The hair on the muzzle is moderately long. The body hair may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neat appearance. The feet may also be trimmed for neatness.
When exhibiting the Yorkshire Terrier, adhering to the U.K.C. philosophy of the "Total Dog," it is permissible to show a dog that has been "cut down," and the dog should not be faulted for lack of floor-length coat.
Color ____________________________________________________
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 mature. The mature coat color occurs gradually, therefore puppies should not be faulted for lack of color change until they are two years old. The colors in adult dogs are:
BLUE - a dark steel-blue.
TAN - All tan hairs are darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to a still lighter tan at the tips.
On the body, the dark steel-blue extends over the body, from the back of the neck to the root of the tail. The headfall is a rich golden tan, deeper in color at the sides of the head, at the ear roots and on the muzzle, with the ears being a deep rich tan. The tan color should not extend down the back of the neck.
The hair on the chest and legs is, a bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs or above the stifle on the hind legs.
General Appearance _____________________________________________________
The Yorkshire Terrier's appearance is that of a well-balanced, long-coated, small (Toy-type) terrier, readily identified by its straight-flowing body coat. The hair is parted on the muzzle and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail. The body is square and evenly proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner gives the appearance of vigor and self-importance.
Characteristics ____________________________________________________
Although small, the Yorkshire Terrier is spirited, reflecting its terrier strains, and very healthy and strong. Yorkies love to romp and play in spite of the amount and length of its coat. Modern Yorkies are very distinctive with their dark, steel-blue coat and rich tan color on head, legs, chest and breeches. Yorkshire Terriers are very intelligent and lovable and, because of their size, make excellent traveling companions.
They exhibit a keenly alert terrier-type temperament.
Head and Skull ___________________________________________________
The skull is rather small and flat, and is not too prominent or round. The muzzle is not too long in proportion to the skull and is set on a 90-degree angle to the head, forming a definite stop.
TEETH - A full complement of strong white teeth meet in a level or scissors bite.
EYES - The eyes are oval in shape, dark in color, and are sparkling; with a sharp, intelligent expression. The eye rims are dark in color.
NOSE - The nose is black.
EARS - The ears are small and V-shaped and carried erect. They are set high on the head, with the hair trimmed short on the tips.
Neck _____________________________________________________
The neck is of medium length and blends smoothly into the shoulders to create the characteristic elegant head carriage.
Weight _____________________________________________________
The Yorkshire Terrier weighs no more than seven pounds.
Gait _____________________________________________________
The dogs exhibit a smooth and flowing movement, in straight line, with good reach and strong drive. As speed increases, the dogs single track. The topline remains level while gaiting.
Body _____________________________________________________
The topline must be level, with the height at the top of the withers the same as the height at the rump. The chest has a good spring of rib. The ribs are oval in shape, with a gradual rounding toward the base with sufficient depth to accommodate the elbows. The back is short. The loins are short and strong.
Hindquarters ______________________________________________
The hindquarters are sturdy, well muscled and have proper angulation. The hind legs, when viewed from behind, are straight. When viewed from the side, the stifles are well angulated. The stifles are sound and the hocks are straight, turning neither in nor out.