Could that little perky dog in the local animal shelter actually be a purebred Yorkshire Terrier? Most likely, yes. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that twenty-five percent of all animals given up to shelters are purebreds.

Since the Yorkshire Terrier is the second most popular breed of dog in America, there are a lot of Yorkshire Terriers around that fall short of the breed standard goal.

Knowing the Yorkshire Terrier breed standard can help you determine if the dog in your shelter is indeed a Yorkshire Terrier. Keep in mind that no dog can live up to the breed standard. A breed standard is the written description of a perfect representation of the breed. Just see if your shelter dog compares for the most part to the breed description. Odds are it will likely be off in only a few physical features.

You can find the Yorkshire Terrier breed standard in a variety of places. All breed dog books are not very good if you are looking for a detailed description. They only give the most general descriptions of breed standards. You need to go the American Kennel Club or a Yorkshire Terrier rescue group website in order to find the most recent Yorkie breed standard (which can be updated occasionally). There are also books focusing on just the Yorkshire Terrier that may available in your local library.

In general, Yorkshire Terriers are lively, bright-eyed toy sized dogs that weigh an average of six to seven pounds. For the most part, their ears are pointed, but sometimes they are floppy in adults. Puppies almost always look to be black and tan, and lighten to the distinctive steel blue and tan as they mature. The spine is level, the muzzle pointed and the tail is usually, sadly, docked. Very rarely will you find a Yorkie with a long tail.

Yorkshire Terriers pointed ears are more V-shaped than a tight point. Their noses are supposed to be always black. Their eyes are bright and alert. The Yorkshire Terrier should seem as if he thinks he’s better than everyone else and carry himself like he’s the biggest dog in the world. Their backs are level and they should stand squarely. They shouldn’t have an overbite or an undershot jaw like a bulldog.

Some common faults in a purebred Yorkshire Terrier include floppy ears as an adult, being just too big to be in the show ring, having an undocked tail (all show dogs have tails docked at two or three days of age) or dewclaws (which are removed from all show dogs).

They are to be steel blue and tan, with black and tan in puppies only. However, there are a lot of purebred Yorkshire Terriers who are other colors. Also, some may have dewclaws and a full, long tail that resembles a purebred Poodle’s (without the pom-pom). The coat is very soft and silky and fast growing. The Yorkshire Terrier needs to be groomed every day and needs his coat trimmed about once a month, otherwise he will be a muddy mess and miserable. Show dogs don’t have dewclaws, but purebred Yorkies are still often born with them.