Standards for Toy Yorkies

Standards for the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, are virtually the same within the most recognized breed registries, including the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC stipulates Yorkies weigh no more than seven pounds. They disqualify Yorkies with solid color or combinations of colors other than blue and tan as specified within standards. "Any white markings," they say, "other than a small white spot on the forechest that does not exceed 1 inch," are grounds for disqualification.

  1. General Appearance

    • "The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self-importance," according to the AKC. Yorkies in the show ring have long, straight coats, hanging to the ground. Their coats must be parted evenly on their faces and from the base of their skulls to the ends of their tails. Overall, an ideal Yorkie is neat, compact and well-proportioned. "Few, if any Yorkies, actually meet all the standards of the breed," according to Dummies.com. Nevertheless, all Yorkies make wonderful pets and companions.

    Head and Body

    • Standards specify the Yorkie's head be small and rather flat on top with the muzzle not too long. Preferably, Yorkies should have a perfect bite (not undershot or overshot). The nose must be black, eyes medium-sized and not too prominent, dark in color and "sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression," according to the AKC. Eye rims should be dark and show-ring Yorkies should have small ears that are V-shaped, carried erect and not set too far apart. Shoulder and rump height should be the same.

    Legs, Feet and Tail

    • The Yorkie's forelegs should be straight, with elbows neither in nor out. AKC standards specify that Yorkies' hind legs be straight when viewed from behind but their stifles (knees) should be moderately bent when viewed from the sides. An ideal Yorkie's feet are round, with black toenails. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed from hind legs and may be removed from forelegs as well. Yorkies should have "medium" length docked tails, according to the AKC, and tails should be carried "slightly higher" than back level.

    Coat

    • "Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance," according to the AKC. Hair should be glossy, fine and silky. The Yorkie's coat may be moderately long or trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance. Coat should be perfectly straight. Hair fall on the head should be long and, in the show ring, tied with one bow in the center or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Many Yorkie owners adorn their pets with bows as a fun pet accessory. Muzzle hair should be long. Hair on ear tips and feet should be trimmed.

    Color

    • "Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs," according to the AKC. Yorkies should be dark steel-blue, not silver-blue and not mingled with fawn, bronze or black hairs. Tan hair should be darker at the roots. Blue should extend over the body from the back of the neck to the root of the tail, where it is darker. Rich tan should accentuate the sides of the head and shouldn't be above the Yorkie's elbows or knees.