Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular dogs of the day. It rivals the Chihuahua for the title of the world's smallest dog. It is unlikely to be overawed by larger animals, however, and is not the ideal choice for the stand-offish because it wants to make friends with everybody. It has been described as a big dog inhabiting a small dog's body; in fact it thinks it is enormous.

Origin and history

Despite the fashionableness to which it ascended during the late Victorian era, the Yorkshire terrier was originally a working-class hero. Yorkies first appeared on the show bench - as broken-haired Scotch Terriers - in England in 1861. Nine years later they became known as Yorkshire Terriers after a reporter suggested that they ought to be called by that designation 'for having been so improved' by Yorkshire residents

Four breeds contributed to the development of the Yorkshire Terrier: the Waterside Terrier from Yorkshire, the rough-coated, black and tan English Terrier from Manchester, and the Paisley and Clydesdale terriers, brought to Yorkshire by Scottish weavers who migrated from Scotland in the middle of the nineteenth century.

Yorkshire Terrier Puppies

Consult an expert before rushing to buy the first pedigreed pup you see advertised. A roach or sway-backed Yorkie would be a non-starter in the show ring, as would too large a specimen. A breeder cannot guarantee the size to which a puppy will grow, but look at the sire and dam as a useful guide.

Selecting a potential show pup is never easy, but selecting a Yorkie will be less troublesome if you remember this: Puppies that will exhibit the correct adult colours when they mature are always born black with tan markings.

Good points

• Affectionate
• Healthy and fearless
• Sociable with other pets
• Good watchdog
• Suits apartment living

Take heed

• Lengthy show preparation
• Needs frequent bath

Size

Weight up to 71b (3.2kg).

Exercise

The Yorkie is well suited to town and apartment living, but will prove a tireless companion on a country walk.

Yorkshire Terrier Information

General appearance
Should be that of a long-coated toy terrier, the coat hanging quite straight and evenly down each side, a parting extending from the nose to the end of tatail. The animal should be compact and neat, the carriage being upright and conveying and important air The general outline should give the impression of a vigorous and well-proportioned body.

Colour
A dark, steel blue (not silver-blue), extending from the occiput (back of skull) to the root of the tail, and on no account mingled with fawn, bronze or dark hairs. The hair on the chest should be a rich, bright tan. All tan hair should be darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to a still lighter tan at the tips.

Head and skull
The head should be rather small and flat, not too prominent or round in the skull, nor too long in the muzzle, with a perfect black nose. The fall on the head to be long, of a rich golden tan, deeper in colour at the sides of the head above the ear roots and on the muzzle, where it should be very long. On no account must the tan on the head extend to the neck. nor must there be any sooty or dark hair intermingled with the tan.

Ears
Small, V-shaped and carried erect or semi-erect and not far apart, covered with short hair of a very deep, rich tan.

Feet
As round as possible; the toenails black. Forelegs straight. Hindlegs, viewed from the side, are slightly bent at the stifles.

Tail
Cut to medium length with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than the rest of ti:le body, especially at the end of the tail. Carry it a little higher than the level of the back.

Health care

The Yorkshire has strong terrier-type teeth, but it is as well to have them scaled by a veterinarian at regular intervals. Toy breeds tend to lose their teeth at an early age (sometimes as early as three), but the avoidance of titbits will preserve them for as long as is possible.

Yorkshire Terrier Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

Many Yorkie owners are content for their pets to have a somewhat scruffy 'shaggy dog' look as long as they know that it is clean and healthy. The show aspirant, however, has a busy time ahead, for the Yorkshire Terrier is exhibited on a show box, which displays its immaculate coat to advantage, a condition that can be achieved only through endless grooming, shampooing and oiling. The show Yorkie spends much of its life, away from the ring, wearing curlers.

Feeding

Similar to that of other toy breeds, with four meals given in puppyhood, reducing to one meal at a year old, comprising 1/2 can of branded dog food (approximately 7-80z/199-227g) supplemented by biscuits.

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