Yorkshire Terrier

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

The Yorkshire Terrier is a long coated dog with the, coat hanging quite straight and evenly down on either side, a parting extending from nose to end of tail. It is very compact and neat with a carriage that is very upright, conveying an important air. The general outline conveys an impression of vigorous and well proportioned body. They are alert and intelligent toy terriers. Their temperament is spirited with even disposition. 

The eyes are medium, dark and sparkling, with a sharp intelligent expression and placed to look directly forward. They are not prominent with the edge of the eyelids being dark. 

The ears are small and V-shaped. They are carried erect, not too far apart and covered with short hair. The colour is a very deep, rich tan. 

The mouth is perfect with a regular and complete scissor bite. i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. 

The teeth are well placed with even jaws. The neck has a good reach. 

The head is rather small and flat but not too prominent or round the skull. The muzzle is long with a black nose. 

The forequarters have well laid shoulders with straight legs which are well covered with hair of rich golden tan a few shades lighter at the ends than at the roots, not extending higher on forelegs than elbow. 

The body is compact with a moderate spring of rib with good loin and a level back. 

The hind limbs are quite straight when viewed from behind with a moderate turn of stifle. They are well covered with hair of rich golden tan a few shades lighter at the ends than at the roots, not extending higher on hindlegs than stifle. The feet are round with black nails. 

The tail is customarily clocked to medium length with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than the rest of body, especially at the end of tail. Carried a little higher than level of back. 

The gait/ movement is free with drive with straight action in front and behind, retaining a level topline. 

The Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy), glossy, fine silky in texture, not wooly. The hair fall on head is long, a rich golden tan and deeper in colour at the sides of the head, about the ear roots and on the muzzle where it should be very long. The Tan colour on the head is not to extend on to the neck, not must any sooty or dark hair intermingle with any of tan. 

The colour should be dark steel blue (not silver blue), extending from occiput to root of tail, never mingling with fawn, bronze or dark hairs. The hair on the chest is a rich, bright tan. All tan hair darker at the roots than in middle, shading to still lighter at the tips. They weigh up to 3.1 Kgs (7 lbs). 

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. 

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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