About Yorkies Yorkshire Terriers The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as a Yorkie, is a breed of small dogs, one of many toy dog breeds. Yorkies can be very small indeed, usually not weighing more than about 7 pounds. The breed standard calls for a long, blue and tan/gold or black and tan/gold coat that hangs straight and parts down the middle. The hair in a Yorkie is usually straight, silky in texture and can grow very long. The Yorkshire Terrier, though a Toy Breed, still retains much of its Terrier ancestry in terms of personality. Though personalities differ from dog to dog generally Yorkies are intelligent, loyal, independent and spunky. The AKC Standard Toy Group General Appearance That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self-importance. Head Small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, 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. Body Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump. Legs and Feet Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when viewed from behind, but stifles are moderately bent when viewed from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed. Tail Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back. Coat Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat appearance. Colors 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 matured. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime 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, bronzy 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 sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan. Color on Body The blue extends over the body from back of neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker blue, especially at end of tail. Headfall A rich golden tan, deeper in color at sides of head, at ear roots and on the muzzle, with ears a deep rich tan. Tan color should not extend down on back of neck. Chest and Legs A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs. Weight Must not exceed seven pounds. Approved April 12, 1966 , From www.akc.org Health Yorkies can generally live to be 12 to 15 years old. I have heard of some living until they were 18 years of age. They are mostly a healthy breed. But as with any breed, they have higher incidences of certain disorders. Responsible breeders are working hard to prevent these disorders, through research and careful breeding practices. Where oh Where did these little Darlings come from? History of The Yorkshire Terrier Breed Most people believe that the Yorkshire Terrier is of Scottish and English decent. It is thought that the Yorkshire came from Scotland when many Scots were displaced by the Industrail Revolution and came to England to settle. Scottish Contributions to the breed may include The waterside Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier, and the Paisley Terrier. English Contributions are thought to include the Manchester Terrier, Maltese, and the Dandie Dinimont Terrier. The Broken Haired Scotch Terrier known to be the original Yorkshire terrier, was breed to catch rats and vermin in small confined spaces. They were orignally 12 - 14 lbs. Amoung my research I have also read that they were 20 lb ratters. The Breed was renamed the Yorkshire Terrier in 1870 after Yorkshire England, where they are thought to have originated and were breed for the companion dog. Huddersfield Ben is widely accepted the Father of The Yorkshire Breed. Born in 1865 to the inbreeding of a Mother and Son. Bred by Mr. W. Eastwood Huddersfield who passed away in 1871. He was a multiple Champion that set the foundation to what has become our adorable Modern Yorkie. In 1872 The Yorkshire was making his way across the ocean and making a scene at shows in the United States. The AKC recognized the breed in 1878. Bradford Harry, Hudderfield Bens great great grandson won AKC Championship. The Yorkshire has long been a pampered and well loved breed amoung ladies, and royalty. and had grown steadily to number 6 in most popular AKC breed registrations in 2002. Why the docked tail? As I understand, the Docked tail can either have the purpose of giving the dog handler a fair grip when the dog is in the rat hole in order to pull him out, but not cause him to break it or cause him to get stuck in a confined area.. Or it was to avoid taxation as a dog without a tail was not considered a dog so it was not taxed. Today many european countries have banned Tail docking. Tail Docking is still widely accepted in the USA and preferred by many fanciers of the breed for Hygiene and overall look of the yorkie. ::About Us::    ::Adopting a Puppy::    ::Links::    ::Photos::    ::Home::    ::Contact Us::