Yorkie Information Center
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Appearance of the Yorkie
What does the Yorkshire Terrier look like? The Yorkie will look quite different as the dog grows from a tiny newborn...to round puppy...to long and lean adult. In addition, the type of grooming you implement will greatly change the look of the Yorkshire Terrier; with a shaved "Puppy cut" to the long and sleek "Show dog look".
Big Changes to a Little Dog !
What does a newborn Yorkie look like? The a newborn Yorkie is approximately 2.5 ounces (.07 kg). The puppy has short, soft hair and will be a mix of black and tan color. The dog's eyes will remain closed until week 2 or 3.
The dog quickly matures into their adult appearance, usually be the age of 1 year.
A Yorkie can have a range of looks. Most owners of pet Yorkies will opt for the shaved look. This can be a close shave, as pictured above or a longer shave that allows for a "fluffy look".
Yorkshire Terriers who are show dogs will have the classic long coat that flows very gracefully to the floor.
While ethical, reputable breeders will strive to produce "show quality" Yorkies, is is Mother Nature who has the final say. Even if a breeder aims for show quality at all times, there will always be "pet quality" Yorkies.
Pet Quality VS Show Quality
What is the difference between a pet quality Yorkie and a show quality Yorkie? When purchased from an ethical, trusted breeder, there can be very little difference between a purebred pet quality Yorkie and a show quality Yorkie.
In the United States, a breeder will be looking for puppies who match the exact AKC standard in regard to conformance (appearance) for the Yorkshire Terrier in order to categorize that puppy as show quality. This will l mean that the dog looks promising to compete in very large AKC conformance events as being near perfect to the AKC guidelines. Litters cannot always contain near-"perfect" dogs, whether males or females.
Therefore, from an ethical breeder, a dog who does not match the AKC show quality guidelines will be sold as a pet quality Yorkie. This may be because of a very small element, such as a coloring mark or the shape of the ears. A pet quality dog is of just as much value as a show quality dog, in the eyes of who matters the most: the puppy's new family.
If someone is looking for a pet and have no plans to enter the complicated and political "show dog world", a person should understand that a pet quality Yorkie is just that, a pet! There is no reason to spend extra money for a show quality dog is you are not planning on showing your dog.
The Standard
The AKC is the most respected and important dog club in the United States. In order to function, this organization had to implement a breed standard for each official dog breed. The breed standard is a description of what a certain breed will look like. While it is extremely rare for a dog to match the breed standard exactly, this description of the appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier will be used by judges to determine the winner of conformation (appearance) dog shows.
This is the appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier, in regard to conformance guidelines: (If you are planning on showing your Yorkie, you will want to obtain the official appearance guidelines of the club you will be associating with)
A long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the foundation of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs equally and quite straight down each side of body. The body is compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and self-assured manner should give the look of energy and pride.
The head is petite and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too extended, 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.
The body is well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder equal to the rump.
Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when seen from behind, but stifles are somewhat bent when seen from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws are normally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed, if the owner wishes.
The tail is docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of extreme importance. Hair is silky, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight. It may be trimmed to floor length to allow easy movement and a tidy appearance. The fall on the head is long, tied with 1 bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with 2 bows. Hair on the dog's muzzle is extremely long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a tidy look.
Yorkie puppies are born black and tan and are generally darker in body color, showing an combination of black hair in the tan until they grow to adulthood. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of primary 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 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 black hair blended together with any of the tan.
What does a newborn Yorkie look like? The a newborn Yorkie is approximately 2.5 ounces (.07 kg). The puppy has short, soft hair and will be a mix of black and tan color. The dog's eyes will remain closed until week 2 or 3.
The dog quickly matures into their adult appearance, usually be the age of 1 year.
A Yorkie can have a range of looks. Most owners of pet Yorkies will opt for the shaved look. This can be a close shave, as pictured above or a longer shave that allows for a "fluffy look".
Yorkshire Terriers who are show dogs will have the classic long coat that flows very gracefully to the floor.
While ethical, reputable breeders will strive to produce "show quality" Yorkies, is is Mother Nature who has the final say. Even if a breeder aims for show quality at all times, there will always be "pet quality" Yorkies.
Pet Quality VS Show Quality
What is the difference between a pet quality Yorkie and a show quality Yorkie? When purchased from an ethical, trusted breeder, there can be very little difference between a purebred pet quality Yorkie and a show quality Yorkie.
In the United States, a breeder will be looking for puppies who match the exact AKC standard in regard to conformance (appearance) for the Yorkshire Terrier in order to categorize that puppy as show quality. This will l mean that the dog looks promising to compete in very large AKC conformance events as being near perfect to the AKC guidelines. Litters cannot always contain near-"perfect" dogs, whether males or females.
Therefore, from an ethical breeder, a dog who does not match the AKC show quality guidelines will be sold as a pet quality Yorkie. This may be because of a very small element, such as a coloring mark or the shape of the ears. A pet quality dog is of just as much value as a show quality dog, in the eyes of who matters the most: the puppy's new family.
If someone is looking for a pet and have no plans to enter the complicated and political "show dog world", a person should understand that a pet quality Yorkie is just that, a pet! There is no reason to spend extra money for a show quality dog is you are not planning on showing your dog.
The Standard
The AKC is the most respected and important dog club in the United States. In order to function, this organization had to implement a breed standard for each official dog breed. The breed standard is a description of what a certain breed will look like. While it is extremely rare for a dog to match the breed standard exactly, this description of the appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier will be used by judges to determine the winner of conformation (appearance) dog shows.
This is the appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier, in regard to conformance guidelines: (If you are planning on showing your Yorkie, you will want to obtain the official appearance guidelines of the club you will be associating with)
A long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the foundation of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs equally and quite straight down each side of body. The body is compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and self-assured manner should give the look of energy and pride.
The head is petite and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too extended, 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.
The body is well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder equal to the rump.
Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when seen from behind, but stifles are somewhat bent when seen from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws are normally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed, if the owner wishes.
The tail is docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of extreme importance. Hair is silky, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight. It may be trimmed to floor length to allow easy movement and a tidy appearance. The fall on the head is long, tied with 1 bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with 2 bows. Hair on the dog's muzzle is extremely long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a tidy look.
Yorkie puppies are born black and tan and are generally darker in body color, showing an combination of black hair in the tan until they grow to adulthood. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of primary 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 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 black hair blended together with any of the tan.
A guide to help show the difference points of reference on the Yorkshire Terrier
