Types of Yorkie Dogs

Yorkshire terriers started out as a common house breed that caught rats and vermin inside the house. Taking advantage of its small size, the Yorkie maneuvered inside tight holes and snuffed out mice or other pesky pests. As a pet, the Yorkie is a rather small, attentive dog who acts much bigger than its size. Yorkie terriers come in different sizes and colors, and mixed breeding has led to similar-looking strains.

  1. Standard Yorkie

    • A standard Yorkshire terrier files into a breed of dog called toy. It typically weighs about seven pounds as an adult. The standard Yorkie also grows to a height of eight to ten inches. These dogs tend to have a rat flat head on top with a medium black muzzle. Yorkies also have V-shaped ears and stand erect at either side of the head. Standard toy-sized Yorkies have long, silky coats that fall straight down on either side of the dog's body.

    Teacup Terrier

    • A teacup Yorkie is often called a miniature terrier because of its small size. Weighing only up to three pounds when mature, teacup Yorkies grow to about half the height and weight of a standard Yorkshire terrier. The coat of a teacup also does not follow the same rules as the standard Yorkie. Since the dog is so small, the coat tends to be shorter and not as silky.

    Different Colors

    • Most Yorkshire terriers come with very shiny, steel blue and tan coats. The body and tail are usually darker than the long, silky hair. Hair on the head usually grows in long tufts that need to be trimmed. Other Yorkies come in all golden brown or off white colors. Off-color Yorkies are not valued any less than traditionally colored Yorkies, and still take prominence in dog shows.

    Other Mixed Yorkies

    • Close cousins of the purebred Yorkshire terrier include the Australian Silky Terrier, which has all the colors and looks of a Yorkie, but the fur takes on a golden tan color with a silkier texture. The Airedale Terrior is larger, weighing about 50 to 70 pounds when mature. The Airedale originated from the Yorkshire breed and is similar only in color.