Yorkshire Terrier

So popular has the Yorkshire Terrier become that there are many specimens about in varying sizes. The un-knowledgeable will tell you that their pet is, or isn’t a ‘miniature’. The standard for the breed calls for a dog up to 3kg (7lb) in weight, which is about 450g (1lb) more than the standard for the world’s smallest dog, the Chihuahua. However, there is no doubt that some of the bigger Yorkies seen around do make happy, hardy pets.

Origin: The origin of this little dog, Yorkshire Terrier, is fairly new. Its ancestry traces back only about 100 years to the crossing breeding. One can roughly reconstitute the process. What the Yorkshire men desired to make for themselves was a pigmy, prick eared terrier with a long, silky, silvery grey and tan coat. They already possessed the foundation in the old English Black and Tan wire-haired Terrier. To lengthen the coat of this working breed they might very well have had recourse to a cross with the prick eared Skye, and to eliminate the wiry texture of the hair a further cross with Maltese would impart softness and silkiness without reducing the length. Again, across with the Clydesdale, which was then assuming a fixed type, would bring the variety yet nearer to the ideal, and a return to the black and tan would tend to conserve the desired color. In all probability the Dandie Dinmont Terrier had some share in the process. Evidence of origin is often to be found more distinctly in puppies than in the mature dog, and it is to be noted that the puppies of both the Dandie and the Yorkshire are born with decided black and tan coloring.

The original broken haired Yorkshire Terrier of thirty years ago was often called a Scottish Terrier, or even a Skye, and there are many persons who still confound him with the Clydesdale, whom he somewhat closely resembles. At the present time he is classified as a toy dog and exhibited almost solely as such. It is to be regretted that until very lately the terrier character was being gradually bred out of him, and that the perkiness, the exuberance and gameness which once distinguished him as the companion of the Yorkshire operative, was in danger of being sacrificed to the desire for diminutive size and inordinate length of coat.

Perhaps it would be an error to blame the breeders of Yorkshire Terriers for this departure from the original type as it appeared, say, about 1870. It is necessary to take into consideration the probability that what is now called the old-fashioned working variety was never regarded by the Yorkshire men who made him as a complete and finished achievement. It was possibly their idea at the very beginning to produce just such a diminutive dog as is now to be seen in its perfection at exhibitions, glorying in its flowing tresses of steel blue silk and ruddy gold; and one must give them full credit for the patience and care with which during the past forty years they have been steadily working to the fixed design of producing a dwarfed breed which should excel all other breeds in the length and silkiness of its robe.

Temperament: With its keen terrier temperament in a small frame, the Yorkie makes a first rate companion, and will live happily whether in an apartment or on a farm. On another known fact is that it’s described as the tyrant of the dog world, it may well take you over, with your household if unchecked. The show specimen tends to live a sedate life, spending most of its time done up in rag-like paper curlers.

Grooming: For the full display of their beauty, Yorkshire Terriers depend very much upon careful grooming. It is only by grooming that the silvery cascade of hair down the dog’s sides and the beautiful tan face fall that flows like a rain of gold from his head can be kept perfectly straight and free from curls or wrinkle; and no grease or pomade, even if their use were officially permitted, could impart to the coat the glistening sheen that is given by the dexterous application of the brush. The gentle art of grooming is not to be taught by theory. Practice is the best teacher. But the novice may learn much by observing the deft methods employed by an expert exhibitor.

Exercise: Will walk its owner literally off his or her feet in the country, or settle for a walk in the park.

General Appearance of Yorkshire Terrier

That of a long coated pet dog, the coat hanging quite straight and evenly down each side, a parting extending from the nose to the end of the tail. The animal should be very compact and neat, his carriage being very sprightly; bearing an air of importance. Although the frame is hidden beneath a mantle of hair, the general outline should be such as to suggest the existence of a vigorous and well proportioned body.

Head: Should be rather small and flat, not too prominent or round in the skull; rather broad at the muzzle, with a perfectly black nose; the hair on the muzzle very long, which should be a rich, deep tan, not sooty or grey. Under the chin, long hair, about the same color as on the crown of the head, which should be a bright, golden tan, and not on any account intermingled with dark or sooty hairs. Hairs on the sides of the head should be very long, of a few shades deeper tan than that on the top of the head, especially about the ear roots.

Eyes: Medium in size, dark in color, having a sharp, intelligent expression, and placed so as to look directly forward. They should not be prominent. The edges of the eyelids should be dark.

Ears: Small, V-shaped, and carried semi erect, covered with short hair; color to be a deep rich tan.

Mouth: Good even mouth; teeth as sound as possible. A dog having lost a tooth or two, through accident or otherwise, is not to disqualify, providing the jaws are even.

Body: Very compact with a good loin, and level on the top of the back.

Coat: The hair, as long and as straight as possible (not wavy), should be glossy, like silk (not woolly), extending from the back of the head to the root of the tail; color, a bright steel blue, and on no account intermingled with fawn, light or dark hairs. All tan should be darker at the roots than at the middle of the hairs, shading off to a still lighter tan at the tips.

Legs: Quite straight, should be of a bright golden tan, well covered with hair, a few shades lighter at the end than at the roots.

Feet: As round as possible; toenails black.

Tail: Cut to medium length; with plenty of hair, darker blue than the rest of the body, especially at the end of the tail, which is carried slightly higher than the level of the back.

Weight: Divided into two classes; under 5 lb. and over 5 lb. to 12 lb.

Height: 23 cm / 9 in