The The Yorkshire TerrierYorkshire Terrier

Judges’ Education PresentationJudges’ Education Presentation

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The facts concerning the origins of the Yorkshire Terrier are usually presented in modern books as being unknown. 

The History of The Yorkshire TerrierThe History of The Yorkshire Terrier

The History of The Yorkshire TerrierThe History of The Yorkshire Terrier

   According to many present-day writers Yorkshires were the result of a number of breeds being bred together to produce the desired points.  How anyone could believe, or even imagine, these early fanciers would have bred from a Dandie Dinmont, a breed with an uneven top line; a Maltese, a totally white breed lacking any blue or tan markings or from a smooth coated Manchester Terrier (originally a smooth coated Old English Terrier) is not being realistic.  The name Manchester was not even given to this breed until a later day.  We can only guess this latter breed was named because one of Huddersfield Ben's ancestors was a dog named Albert from Manchester. 

The History of The Yorkshire TerrierThe History of The Yorkshire Terrier

One of the troubles in getting the Yorkies origins correct is that each  of the three breeds necessary to arrive at the final breed of Yorkshire Terrier are now extinct. 

Along the path to their disappearance the breeds simply merged into other breeds or their type gave way to another version.  The primary breed that is responsible for the Yorkshire was the Clydesdale Terrier (the blue and tan silky coated version of the Skye); the second breed was the Waterside Terrier (or Otter Terrier) and the third was the Old English Terrier (toy rough and broken haired). 

The History of The Yorkshire TerrierThe History of The Yorkshire Terrier

The facts concerning these breeds are well recorded in books starting in 1846.  However, later day authors did no research or the records  were unavailable to them, or they simply preferred to go along with  what someone else had written. 

Yorkshire Terriers were given their breed name by 1874, although it had been around since 1870.  Originally they were known and shown as Broken Haired Scotch Terriers or Toy Terrier (rough and broken haired).

General AppearanceGeneral Appearance

That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face  and from the base of the coat is parted on the face  and from the base of the

skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite  straight down each side of body. The body is quite  straight down each side of body. The body is

neat, compact and well  proportioned. The dog's neat, compact and well  proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should high head carriage and confident manner should

give  the appearance of vigor and self importance.give  the appearance of vigor and self importance. Approved April 12, 1966Approved April 12, 1966

InterpretationInterpretation

Many adjectives can be used to describe the Many adjectives can be used to describe the Yorkshire Terrier as he is a  well balanced, Yorkshire Terrier as he is a  well balanced,

neat, small, sound, square appearing, neat, small, sound, square appearing, elegant, long coated  Toy Terrier, readily elegant, long coated  Toy Terrier, readily

identified by his straight, flowing silky body identified by his straight, flowing silky body coat of  bright, shiny, lustrous steel blue and coat of  bright, shiny, lustrous steel blue and

clear shaded gold's. clear shaded gold's.

HEADHEAD

the skull not too prominent the skull not too prominent or round,or round,

the muzzle not too long,the muzzle not too long,

Small and rather flat on top, Small and rather flat on top,

HEADHEAD

Either scissors biteEither scissors bite

nor overshotnor overshotThe bite neither undershotThe bite neither undershot

or level bite is acceptable.or level bite is acceptable.

and teeth sound.and teeth sound.

HEADHEAD

Eyes are medium in Eyes are medium in size and not too size and not too

prominent; dark in prominent; dark in color and sparkling color and sparkling

with a sharp, with a sharp, intelligent expression. intelligent expression.

The nose is black.The nose is black. Eye rims are dark.Eye rims are dark.

HEADHEAD

Ears are small, V-shaped, Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not carried erect and set not

too far apart.too far apart.

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION HEAD HEAD

Correct HeadCorrect Head

Correct PlanesCorrect Planes

Down FacedDown Faced PussycatPussycatFaceFace

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONEARSEARS

Breeders cherish Breeders cherish small,expressive ears, small,expressive ears, carried erect, that are set carried erect, that are set high on the high on the  head, close head, close together, and V shaped. together, and V shaped. 

Low set ears detract from Low set ears detract from expression and expression and  a are as highly re as highly undesirable as ears that are undesirable as ears that are too large, rounded on tips, bat too large, rounded on tips, bat shaped shaped  o or set too wide.r set too wide.

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONEYESEYES

Eyes are intelligent and Eyes are intelligent and expressive with eyes and expressive with eyes and eye rims very dark eye rims very dark aappearing black. ppearing black. A Terrier's eye looks A Terrier's eye looks  straight ahead which plays straight ahead which plays a major part in his a major part in his expression.  The eye fits expression.  The eye fits  well into the socket, never well into the socket, never protruding or sunken. protruding or sunken. 

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONEARSEARS

It should be noted that ear fringes should not be caught It should be noted that ear fringes should not be caught up in the Yorkie's up in the Yorkie's  topknot as this practice does not topknot as this practice does not permit free movement of the ears.  Movementpermit free movement of the ears.  Movement of ears is of ears is very important to expression.very important to expression.

The ear fringe hair is The ear fringe hair is trimmed off the edge of trimmed off the edge of the ear leather about the ear leather about one-third one-third  down from down from the tip.  Long hair on the tip.  Long hair on the front and back is the front and back is smoothly trimmed smoothly trimmed  one-one-third down from the tip.third down from the tip.

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONEYESEYES

A large round eye is A large round eye is  generally found with a too-generally found with a too-rounded skull.  rounded skull. 

DISCUSSION DISCUSSION EYESEYES

Yorkies with red-Yorkies with red-orange coloring orange coloring  on on head and muzzle head and muzzle have a tendency have a tendency toward lighter eyes toward lighter eyes and eye rims which and eye rims which  are undesirable as it are undesirable as it spoils the spoils the necessary keen necessary keen expression.expression.

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONEYESEYES

A "small beady A "small beady eye" is highly eye" is highly

undesirable and undesirable and detracts from detracts from expression. expression. 

BODYBODY

Well proportioned and very compact. Well proportioned and very compact.

The back is rather The back is rather short, the back line short, the back line

level,level,

with height at with height at shoulder the same as shoulder the same as at the rump.at the rump.

BODYBODY The Yorkshire Terrier is a sound well balanced, The Yorkshire Terrier is a sound well balanced,

compact, neat, square appearing dog. For the compact, neat, square appearing dog. For the Yorkie to carry his head proudly, his neck is of Yorkie to carry his head proudly, his neck is of moderate length. Neither an overly long or moderate length. Neither an overly long or extremely short neck is desirable.extremely short neck is desirable.

The Yorkshire Terrier has a straight, level back The Yorkshire Terrier has a straight, level back from the withers to the set-on tail. A sloping from the withers to the set-on tail. A sloping croup is undesirablecroup is undesirable..

Weight: A Yorkie which appears overly large or Weight: A Yorkie which appears overly large or has the slightest trace of coarseness is has the slightest trace of coarseness is undesirable.undesirable.

Forelegs should be straight, Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor outelbows neither in nor out

Hind legs straight when Hind legs straight when viewed from behindviewed from behind

LEGS AND FEETLEGS AND FEET

Legs and FeetLegs and Feet

Dew claws, if any, are Dew claws, if any, are generally removed generally removed from the hind legs. from the hind legs.

but stifles are but stifles are moderately moderately bent when bent when viewed from viewed from the sides.the sides.

Feet are Feet are round with round with black black toenails.toenails.

Dew claws on the Dew claws on the forelegs may be forelegs may be removed removed

TAILTAIL

Docked to a medium length and carried Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.slightly higher than the level of the back.

COATCOATQuality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime

importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly

straight (not wavy).  It may be trimmed to floor straight (not wavy).  It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater length to give ease of movement and a neater

appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is

very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat

appearance.appearance.

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONCOLORCOLOR

A Yorkshire Terrier has shaded tan A Yorkshire Terrier has shaded tan (GOLD).  This means the gold hairs are (GOLD).  This means the gold hairs are  darker at the roots shading to a lighter darker at the roots shading to a lighter color in the middle and still lighter at color in the middle and still lighter at  the tips.  This much sought after gold is the tips.  This much sought after gold is a fine silky texture.  It is a BRIGHT,  a fine silky texture.  It is a BRIGHT,   RICH, GLEAMING, BRILLIANT GOLDEN RICH, GLEAMING, BRILLIANT GOLDEN HUE, and will reflect light.HUE, and will reflect light. ..

COLORSCOLORS

Puppies are born Puppies are born black and tan and black and tan and

are normally are normally darker in body darker in body

color, showing an color, showing an intermingling of intermingling of black hair in the black hair in the tan until they are tan until they are

matured.matured.

COLORSCOLORS

Color of hair on Color of hair on body and body and

richness of tan richness of tan on head and legs on head and legs

are of prime are of prime importance in importance in

ADULT DOGS, to ADULT DOGS, to which the which the

following color following color requirements requirements

apply:apply:

BLUE: Is a dark steel blue, BLUE: Is a dark steel blue, not a silver blue and not not a silver blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs. or black hairs.

COLOR PROGRESSIONCOLOR PROGRESSION

6 Months 6 Months

16 Months16 Months

2 ½ Years2 ½ Years

COLORSCOLORS

TAN: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the TAN: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips.

There should be no sooty or black hair There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.intermingled with any of the tan.

COLOR ON BODYCOLOR ON BODY

The blue extends over the body from back of The blue extends over the body from back of neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker

blue, especially at end of tail.blue, especially at end of tail.

HEAD AND FALLHEAD AND FALL

A rich golden A rich golden tan, deeper in tan, deeper in

color at sides of color at sides of head head

at ear rootsat ear roots

and on the muzzleand on the muzzle

with ears a with ears a deep rich deep rich tantan

Tan color should not extend down on Tan color should not extend down on back of neckback of neck

DISCUSSION DISCUSSION COLORCOLOR

The QUALITY of gold on The QUALITY of gold on the ideal Yorkie can be the ideal Yorkie can be likened to a NEW GOLD likened to a NEW GOLD  COIN.  It bears no COIN.  It bears no semblance to a rust, semblance to a rust, ginger or brownish ginger or brownish mahogany hue. mahogany hue.  It does It does not appear to be a solid, not appear to be a solid, unshaded orangey red unshaded orangey red nor the red of an Irish nor the red of an Irish  setter (setter red). setter (setter red). 

COLOR – CHEST & LEGSCOLOR – CHEST & LEGS

A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs.the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs.

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONCOLORCOLOR

Yorkies carrying a Yorkies carrying a woolly or cottony woolly or cottony black coat usually black coat usually  carry a pale, weak carry a pale, weak unshaded tan and unshaded tan and are referred to as are referred to as a “black and a “black and tan” (Yorkie).tan” (Yorkie).

DISCUSSION - COLORDISCUSSION - COLORA “running color” will spoil an otherwise highly prized A “running color” will spoil an otherwise highly prized adult specimen of the adult specimen of the  breed.  “Running color” means breed.  “Running color” means that the tan color markings as prescribed in that the tan color markings as prescribed in  t the he standard have exceeded their borders and the tan standard have exceeded their borders and the tan extension has given a fawn or bronzey appearance extension has given a fawn or bronzey appearance into the into the  blue areas of the coat.  blue areas of the coat. 

These “running tan”, fawn or bronzey areas can be These “running tan”, fawn or bronzey areas can be  observed below the occiput, around the tail set and observed below the occiput, around the tail set and the shoulder areas.the shoulder areas.

The front or the chest of a Yorkshire Terrier is all The front or the chest of a Yorkshire Terrier is all shaded gold.  There are noshaded gold.  There are no sooty or visible dark hairs sooty or visible dark hairs or any small “half circle” break from under chin or any small “half circle” break from under chin  t to the o the chest.chest.

DISCUSSION - MOVEMENTDISCUSSION - MOVEMENT

He has a straight  level He has a straight  level back and carries himself back and carries himself

in a self confident, in a self confident, sparkling and vigorous sparkling and vigorous

manner. manner.

Side MovementSide Movement

Front MovementFront Movement

Rear MovementRear Movement

DISCUSSION - MOVEMENTDISCUSSION - MOVEMENT

WEIGHTWEIGHT

A Yorkie which appears overly large or had the slightest trace A Yorkie which appears overly large or had the slightest trace of coarseness is undesirable. of coarseness is undesirable.

Must not exceed seven pounds.Must not exceed seven pounds.

An adult Yorkshire Terrier completing the An adult Yorkshire Terrier completing the picture as prescribed by the picture as prescribed by the  standard has standard has a totally clear golden head and a head fall a totally clear golden head and a head fall that is “a rich goldenthat is “a rich golden tan, deeper in color tan, deeper in color at sides of head, at ear roots and on the at sides of head, at ear roots and on the muzzle, with earsmuzzle, with ears deep rich tan.” deep rich tan.”

REMEMBER!!REMEMBER!!

IT IS COMPLETELY FREE OF ANY REMAINING IT IS COMPLETELY FREE OF ANY REMAINING BLACK OR SOOTY GRAY HAIR LEFT FROM BLACK OR SOOTY GRAY HAIR LEFT FROM

PUPPY HOOD.PUPPY HOOD.

DISQUALIFICATIONSDISQUALIFICATIONS

Any solid color or combination of colors Any solid color or combination of colors other than the blue and tan as other than the blue and tan as described above.described above.

Any white markings other than a small Any white markings other than a small white spot on the forechest that does white spot on the forechest that does not exceed 1 inch at its longest not exceed 1 inch at its longest dimension.dimension.

DISQUALIFYDISQUALIFY

Solid color dogs such as a solid color Solid color dogs such as a solid color gold or solid color chocolategold or solid color chocolate

A chocolate and tan dog or other A chocolate and tan dog or other unusual combination of colorsunusual combination of colors

A white dog with black and tan A white dog with black and tan markings (parti-color)markings (parti-color)

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Yorkshire Terrier !Yorkshire Terrier !