Yorkshire Terrier

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
No daily exercise
Training
No training
Size of home
Apartment – no outdoor
Time at home
Mostly home
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Very affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Alanna Burton (Smidgit)

alanna.burton@hotmail.com
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History

In the mid 1700s, coinciding with the Industrial Revolution and the changes and demise of agriculture, people came from far and wide seeking work in the areas that provided opportunities. In Scotland, country folk had developed the Waterside Terrier, to keep homes safe from rats and other vermin.

It’s keen hunting instincts also provided their relatively poor table with small game. These little terriers also provided entertainment and the chance for reward in the rat pit, where the dog killing the most rats in the shortest time was declared the winner and his owner duly rewarded.

The Waterside Terrier was described as having 10-12 centimetres of bluish grey hair on the side of the body with a white or silver head. Here lie the genes for the silky coat, small size, blue and tan colouring and hunting and ratting instinct of the Yorkshire Terrier.

Further breeding with the early Skye Terrier and Clydesdale Terrier, who had a bright steel blue colour on its body and clear bright golden tan on the head, legs and feet, helped establish the current, colour pattern of today’s ‘Yorkie.’ In 1865 a litter was born providing a male, “Huddersfield Ben,” who was the foundation sire of the modern Yorkshire Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier was first recognised by the UK Kennel Club in 1886 and the UK Yorkshire Terrier Club founded in 1898. The breed standard was also drawn up, which remained unaltered until 1987.

Appearance

The Yorkshire Terrier is a well balanced, small, sound, square-appearing, elegant, toy “terrier”. As an adult it has a long, silky coat of dark steel blue and clear golden tans, which is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail, hanging evenly and quite straight down the sides of the body. The body should be neat, compact and well proportioned with a straight level topline. The dog’s high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigour and self importance.

Temperament

The ‘Yorkie’ is full of spirit, yet calm unless roused or threatened.

dreamstime_xxl_57524282. Photo by Sergey Taran Dreamstime

Health

The Yorkshire Terrier presents as a small and healthy terrier. There are no known hereditary health issues within the breed, however, as with a lot of small dogs, special attention needs to be focused on teeth and gum disease, patella luxation and hypoglycaemia in small dogs.

Suitability

The Yorkshire Terrier is an ideal house dog with its lively and intelligent temperament. The ‘Yorkie’ does not moult and is hypo allergenic, making it ideal for families that may have allergies. A Yorkshire Terrier in coat will require daily brushing with the alternative of keeping in short clip, requiring a bath once a week.

The Yorkshire Terrier is just as comfortable on the couch as it is going on a long walk, it makes no difference, as long as they are with you.

Words: Wayne and Alanna Burton with acknowledgement to Jan Clarke and ANKC-BSE

Image submitted by Yel Morag

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Yorkshire Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Yorkshire Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 05 Aug 2009)

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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 with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

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.

Physical Standards

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. the upper teeth closely overlapping the 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 stifle.
Feet	Round; nails black.
Tail	Docked: Medium length with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than the rest of the body, especially at end of tail. Carried a little higher than level of back.Undocked: Plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than the rest of the 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 kg (7lbs)

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.