Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standards (as per 'The Kennel Club')

The breed owes its origins to the old working Black and Tan Terrier with infusions of Maltese and Skye Terrier blood. It is thought that Scottish labourers travelling to work in the mines and cotton mills of Yorkshire brought their terriers with them and these provided the basis of the breed. This ancestry is seen in the colour of the coat – the breed is born black and tan and changes to a steel blue and tan of silky texture with maturity. A dog named Huddersfield Ben born in 1865 is created as the foundation of the breed. The Yorkshire Terrier soon became popular with ladies as a house pet but he still retains some of the features of his terrier background and can account for any domestic rodent. In the early exhibition of the breed, the Yorkshire Terrier was shown on a silk cloth or cushion and now he remains the only breed which is exhibited on a decorative box in the show ring.

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour 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.

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 and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.