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AKC Breed Standard

JaLa Yorkshire Terriers examples of excellence

Written below is the YTCA standard for the Yorkshire Terrier, approved by the AKC.  Explaining in detail the ideal yorkie.  Being a good yorkie breeder is about breeding towards the standard to produce the best overall yorkie possible.

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. Dew claws, if any, are
generally removed from the hind legs. Dew claws 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.

Head fall

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

Disqualifications:

Any solid color or combination of colors other than blue and tan as
described above. Any white markings other than a small white spot on the
forechest that does not exceed 1 inch at its longest dimension.

Approved July 10, 2007
Effective October 1, 2007

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