| Could that little perky dog in the local | | | | alert, vivacious and full of "self |
| animal shelter actually be a purebred | | | | importance". (That's putting it |
| Yorkshire Terrier? Most likely, yes. | | | | mildly). Yorkies are one of the few dog |
| The Humane Society of the United States | | | | breeds that can be picky eaters. They |
| estimates that twenty-five percent of | | | | make very good watchdogs. They do not |
| all animals given up to shelters are | | | | do well in a home with pet rodents, as |
| purebreds. One of the advantages of | | | | they were bred to kill rats. However, |
| getting purebred dogs is that their | | | | they do well in homes with elderly or |
| physical and personality temperaments | | | | small children. In a home with other |
| can (for the most part) be predicted. | | | | dogs, don't be surprised if the Yorkie |
| You will also be aware of the needs for | | | | becomes the alpha dog very quickly. |
| the dog in order to happy and healthy. | | | | But the physical appearance is perhaps |
| Knowing the Yorkshire Terrier breed | | | | the only way you can tell a dog's breed |
| standard can help you determine if the | | | | at your local animal shelter. The |
| dog in your shelter is indeed a | | | | Yorkshire Terrier is small, averaging |
| Yorkshire Terrier. Keep in mind that no | | | | just seven pounds. They have V-shaped |
| dog can live up to the breed standard. | | | | ears which usually (but not always) |
| A breed standard is the written | | | | stand straight up. Their noses are |
| description of a perfect representation | | | | black and their muzzles pointed. They |
| of the breed. Just see if your shelter | | | | have big, bright eyes and their teeth |
| dog compares for the most part to the | | | | should meet in a scissors or an even |
| breed description. Odds are it will | | | | bite. |
| likely be off in only a few physical | | | | They are to be steel blue and tan, with |
| features. | | | | black and tan in puppies only. However, |
| The personality of a Yorkshire Terrier | | | | there are a lot of purebred Yorkshire |
| is pretty consistent, even though you | | | | Terriers who are other colors. Also, |
| will find some differences in individual | | | | some may have dewclaws and a full, long |
| dogs. There is a temperament goal in | | | | tail that resembles a purebred Poodle's |
| the Yorkshire breed standard that | | | | (without the pom-pom). The coat is |
| ethical breeders try to get their dogs | | | | very soft and silky and fast growing. |
| to copy. Yorkshire Terriers are the | | | | The Yorkshire Terrier needs to be |
| benevolent Napoleons of the canine | | | | groomed every day and needs his coat |
| world, needing to be in charge of every | | | | trimmed about once a month, otherwise he |
| little thing in their territory. They | | | | will be a muddy mess and miserable. |
| are bossy, vocal and need to be fussed | | | | Show dogs don't have dewclaws, but |
| over. | | | | purebred Yorkies are still often born |
| The breed standard lists Yorkies as | | | | with them. |