Yorkie Types

Yorkshire terriers are small, ferociously independent dogs that are very popular as companion animals. Though they are technically terriers, they are often classified in the toy group. The typical Yorkie is a short, compact dog, with silken blue and tan hair that grows down to its feet. However, there is a surprising amount of variety among the breed and its close cousins, especially with regard to color and size.

  1. Standard Yorkshire Terrier

    • The most common type of Yorkie is the standard Yorkshire Terrier. The American Kennel Club requires that a show-quality standard Yorkie not weigh more than seven pounds; however, many dogs are larger. Standard Yorkies have silky black and tan coats when they are puppies, which fade to blue and tan as they become adults. Their coats are made of silky hair that does not shed readily but requires frequent clipping and grooming, since it does not stop growing on its own.

    Teacup Yorkshire Terrier

    • Teacup Yorkshire Terriers are smaller than their standard brethren, weighing in at an average of five pounds. They are not a separate breed from standard Yorkies -- breeders of teacup Yorkies simply take care to breed only the smallest dogs. It's a good idea to see both the mother and the father of your teacup Yorkie, so you can get a good idea of how big the dog will be when it is fully grown.

    Biewer Yorkshire Terrier

    • The Biewer Yorkshire Terrier, or Biewer Terrier, is a blue, white and gold variety of the Yorkshire Terrier. The first recognized Biewer was born in 1984 to the Biewer family, which had been showing Yorkies for 20 years. Now, the American Rare Breed Association recognizes the dog as a separate breed, but the Biewer is still a long way from AKC recognition. Biewers' coloring is conspicuously different than that of standard Yorkies, though their coat type is similar.

    Silky Terrier

    • This terrier isn't officially a Yorkie, but it is directly descended from Yorkies, and it looks enough like one to fool most passersby. Silky terriers have similar coloring to Yorkshire terriers. However, they have silkier coats and a more oblong body shape than true Yorkies. They are also slightly larger, weighing in at around 12 pounds. Silky terriers' coats need less maintenance; according to the website, Small Dog Paradise, Silky terriers are more adaptable than Yorkshire terriers. If you are not sure that you want the nervous excitement many Yorkshire terriers have, a Silky might be a good choice.