^© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited.

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.  

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library 

General Appearance
Long-coated, coat hanging quite straight and evenly down each side, a parting extending from nose to end of tail. Very compact and neat, carriage very upright conveying an important air. General outline conveying impression of vigorous and well proportioned body.

Characteristics
Alert, intelligent toy terrier.

Temperament
Spirited with even disposition.

Head and Skull
Rather small and flat, not too prominent or round in skull, nor too long in muzzle; black nose.

Eyes
Medium, dark, sparkling, with sharp intelligent expression and placed to look directly forward. Not prominent. Edge of eyelids dark.

Ears
Small, V-shaped, carried erect, not too far apart, covered with short hair, colour very deep, rich tan.

Mouth
Perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth well placed with even jaws.

Neck
Good reach.

Forequarters
Well laid shoulders, legs straight, well covered with hair of rich golden tan a few shades lighter at ends than at roots, not extending higher on forelegs than elbow.

Body
Compact with moderate spring of rib, good loin. Level back.

Hindquarters
Legs quite straight when viewed from behind, moderate turn of stifle. Well covered with hair of rich golden tan a few shades lighter at ends than at roots, not extending higher on hindlegs than stifles.

Feet
Round; nails black

Tail
Previously customarily docked
Docked: Medium length with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than rest of body, especially at end of tail. Carried a little higher than level of back.
Undocked: Plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than rest of body, especially at end of tail. Carried a little higher than level of back. As straight as possible. Length to give a well balanced appearance.

Gait/Movement
Free with drive; straight action front and behind, retaining level topline.

Coat
Hair on body moderately long, perfectly straight (not wavy), glossy; fine silky texture, not woolly, must never impede movement. Fall on head long, rich golden tan, deeper in colour at sides of head, about ear roots and on muzzle where it should be very long. Tan on head not to extend on to neck, nor must any sooty or dark hair intermingle with any of tan.

Colour
Dark steel blue (not silver blue), extending from occiput to root of tail, never mingled with fawn, bronze or dark hairs. Hair on chest rich, bright tan. All tan hair darker at the roots than in middle, shading to still lighter at tips.

Size
Weight up to 3.2 kgs (7 lbs).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - October 2009

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• CHESHIRE & NORTH WALES YORKSHIRE TERRIER SOC. Sec: Mrs J. Milner. Tel N: 0151 3273376
• EASTERN COUNTIES YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mrs Pooley. For further information please contact the Kennel Club.
• LINCOLN & HUMBERSIDE YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mrs B Pipes. Tel No: 01904 631961
• MIDLAND YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs K Slaney: Tel No: 01283 226189
• NORTHERN COUNTIES YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Ms Watson. Tel No: 01226 781373
• SOUTH WESTERN YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mrs J Drake. Tel No: 0117 9601592
• ULSTER YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mr S Larkham Tel No: 02893 378302
• YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Mrs Mitchell. Tel No: 01235 833171
• YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec: Ms Burns. Tel No: 01592 759277
• YORKSHIRE TERRIER CLUB OF SOUTH WALES. Sec: Mrs P Evans. Tel No: 01443 431052

Find A Puppy

Search for Kennel Club registered Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale in the UK

Find A Rescue

Search for Yorkshire Terrier rescue societies for adopting and re-homing rescue dogs

Date page created:

Categories:

Toy Group 

This article has been read 84911 times.