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