Could that little perky dog in the local animal shelter actually be a purebred Yorkshire Terrier? Most likely, yes. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that twenty-five percent of all animals given up to shelters are purebreds.
One of the advantages of getting purebred dogs is that their physical and personality temperaments can (for the most part) be predicted. You will also be aware of the needs for the dog in order to happy and healthy.
They are most commonly in blue and gold coats, although a there are slight variations in color the blue and gold dominate. These coats naturally grow long and silky, getting to be almost twice the length of the dog, requiring that tiny red bow in top so the dog can see.
A Yorkshire Terrier is often identified by the incredibly long show coat. The show champions are usually the ones pictured in dog breed books and in magazines. If you are familiar with guinea pigs, the Yorkshire Terrier is the one who looks a lot like a Peruvian show guinea pig (and some Yorkies aren’t much heavier than a guinea pig!) However, this show coat is only seen on show dogs. The majority of Yorkies spend their lives in a closely clipped coat.
The breed standard lists Yorkies as alert, vivacious and full of “self importance”. (That’s putting it mildly). Yorkies are one of the few dog breeds that can be picky eaters. They make very good watchdogs. They do not do well in a home with pet rodents, as they were bred to kill rats. However, they do well in homes with elderly or small children. In a home with other dogs, don’t be surprised if the Yorkie becomes the alpha dog very quickly.
Yorkshire Terriers pointed ears are more V-shaped than a tight point. Their noses are supposed to be always black. Their eyes are bright and alert. The Yorkshire Terrier should seem as if he thinks he’s better than everyone else and carry himself like he’s the biggest dog in the world. Their backs are level and they should stand squarely. They shouldn’t have an overbite or an undershot jaw like a bulldog.
Their noses are black and their muzzles pointed. They have big, bright eyes and their teeth should meet in a scissors or an even bite.
Yorkshire Terriers are famous for their silky coats. In show champions, the coat is about twice as long as the dog. In the shelter, most likely the dog you are trying to identify has a clipped coat, making him or her look like a cross between a teddy bear and a ragamuffin. Another fault that disqualifies a Yorkie from a show ring is having black hairs mixed with the blue and tan. Also, if the blue of your Yorkie is silver blue instead of steel blue, he or she will also not be considered good enough for the show ring.