One of the most
glamorous and popular of the toy breeds, the Yorkshire terrier
was originally bred for the unglamorous job of keeping down
the rats in the Yorkshire coal pits and cotton mills. It
was also used by the miners as a sporting terrier in rat-killing
contests.
If this seems a far cry from the dainty,
profusely coated darling of today's show ring it should
be remembered that this all took place in the mid-19th
century, when the Yorky was bred to do the work of a terrier
and when it weighed in the area of fifteen pounds.
How the breed was created remains a
secret. It is assumed that the black and tan terrier,
the Dandie Dinmont, and the Skye Terrier were crossed
to produce the original ratter. What is known is that
the Yorky was developed in the west riding of Yorkshire,
and was first shown at a dog show held in Leeds in 1861
under the broad classification "Scotch Terriers".
Further "behind closed doors"
breeding (this time a cross to the Maltese is assumed),
resulted in a smaller dog with a very long coat that by
1880 was classified as a "Broken-Haired or Yorkshire
Terrier." Somewhere about this time it was being
regarded as a toy breed, not a terrier, and by 1886 it
was officially given the breed name of Yorkshire Terrier.
When the Yorky first appeared as a distinct
breed there were many ciritcs who prophesied that the
breed had no future and referred to it scathingly as "
the Dresser Drawer Dog," this because in Yorkshire
a cottage industry in breeding the little dogs flourished
abd they could be housed in very small quarters. While
the men were not enthused about the Yorkshire Terrier,
the breed made a big hit with the ladies and was soon
in great demand especially among the wealthy.
Because of its unique coat and diminutive
size, the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most difficult
dogs to breed. Nevertheless it ranks as the most popular
toy breed in Britain today, and is high is the listings
in both Canada and the United States.
The breed was first registered in Canada
in the years 1888-1889.
Official Breed Standard for
the Yorkshire Terrier
________________________________________
Origin
and Purpose:
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most glamorous and
popular of the toy breeds. It was originally bred in Yorkshire,
England for the not-so-glamorous job of keeping down the
rats in the coal pits and cotton mills. It was also used
bye the miners as a sporting terrier in rat-killing contests.
If this seems a far cry from the dainty, profusely coated
dog of today's show ring, it should be remembered that
this all took place in the mid-19th century, when the
Yorkie was bred to do the work of a terrier and when it
weighed in the area of 15 lb. The breed made a big hit
with the ladies and soon was in great demand as a pet.
General
Appearance:
That of a well-balanced long-coated toy terrier, readily
identified by its straight-flowing silky body coat of
bright shiny lustrous steel blue and clear-shaded golden
tan. The hair is parted on the muzzle and from the base
of the skull to the end of the tail. The Yorkie is square
and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and
alert expression give the appearance of self-confidence,
a sparkling and vigorous manner.
Temperament:
The keenly alert air of the terrier is characteristic.
He is intelligent, friendly, and willing to please.
Size:
The weight not to exceed 7 lb. (3 kg).
Coat
and Colour:
Quality and texture of coat is of prime importance. The
hair is glossy, silky, and fine in texture reflecting
a certain brilliance and feels cool to the touch. The
coat on the body hangs perfectly straight, not wavy, showing
the outline of the well-bodied Yorkie. On the mature dog,
the coat will eventually reach floor length. The fall
on the head is long and tied in the centre with one bow.
The hair on the muzzle is moderately long.
Puppies are born black with tan markings
showing a gradual progression to the colour of the mature
adult dog to which the following colour requirements apply.
Body Colour: The body coat is a bright steel blue, not
light silver and not Black, not mingled with fawn, fronzy
or black hairs. The blue extends over the body from the
back of the neck to the root of the tail. Head, Chest
and Legs: A clear golden tan deeper in colour at sides
of head, at ear roots, and on the muzzle, with ears a
deep golden tan. The golden tan hair is shaded from the
roots down and does not extend down the back of the neck,
nor above the elbows on forelegs or above the stifle on
the hind legs.
Head:
Skull should be rather small and flat, not too prominent
or round. Muzzle not too long in proportion to skull,
set on a 90 degree angle to the head form ing the stop.
Nose jet black. Mouth either level or scissors bite with
strong sound teeth. Eyes oval, dark and sparkling, having
a sharp, intelligent expression, placed so as to look
directly forward. They should not be prominent and the
eye rims should be dark in colour. Ears small V-shaped,
carried erect, set high on the head, with the hair trimmed
short on the tips.
Neck:
Medium length, blending smoothly into the shoulders to
create the elegant head carriage.
Forequarters:
Legs quite straight, elbows neither in nor out, pasterns
strong and straight with ideal shoulder angulation of
45 degrees. Feet are round with black toenails. Dew claws
should be removed.
Body:
Topline must be level. The chest has a good spring of
rib, oval in shape, with gradual rounding toward the base
with sufficient depth for the elbows. The loin to be short
and strong.
Hindquarters:
Sturdy, well-muscled hindquarters with proper angulation,
sound stifles and hocks turning neither in nor out. Feet
are round with black toenails.
Tail:
Dock to a medium length, with plenty of hair, darder blue
in colour than the rest of the rest of the body, especially
at the end of the tail, carried higher than the level
of the back.
Gait:
Smooth and flowing, moving in a straight line, with a
free and easy stride.
Faults:
Excessive shyness; cottony or woolly
texture coat; black body coat on a mature dog; fawn or bronzy
hair intermingled with blue; sooty or black hairs intermingled
with the golden tan of adult dogs; overshot or undershot
bite; rounded bat ears, cropped ears; roached back, sloping
croup.
