Yorkies and Coat

Twix without any coat product

The silky texture of the Yorkshire Terrier coat depends on three factors:
+genes
+diet (the pdf link is not really to promote but somehow gives us understanding about how diet affects the coat)
+care

Although the breed standard call for a silky coat texture, not all yorkies have silky coats. It actually got me quite a long time to understand this as most materials available on the books and online only talks about different textures. To give you a clear picture of the other coat textures, see the photos here...

woolly-cottony

wooly


soft coated/heavy dull coat
on adult yorkie

When a yorkie's coat is not genetically silky textured, it would really be impossible for the coat to be altered through other means to be silky. The only thing can be done, which requires more grooming effort, is to improve the texture for manageability and to keep it free from tangling and mats. Most owners with incorrect coat texture yorkies keep their dogs in cut down coat. Keeping your dog's coat short makes grooming easier and yorkies are still cute without the long coat.

Diet and supplements are also important in keeping the coat healthy. A healthy coat means your dog's coat gives off a sheen (not necessarily a silky shine for other textures) from your dog's natural oil glands plus a healthy skin condition. Sometimes a poor coat condition signifies a health condition or allergy. Make sure that you note the nutritional value of your dog's food before giving him or her coat supplements. Usually, premium dog foods are already equipt with the right amount of nutients for your furball. When you give additional oil-soluble vitamins (which are usually present in coat supplements) you might put your dog's health in danger as they become toxic when administered in more-than-normal amounts. Yorkies only have small livers and gets easily affected by toxins. You may also add a small amount of healthy, all natural ingredients in their kibbles to function as coat supplement. Kelp, seaweeds (japanese nori), flax seed oil, olive oil and peanut butter are just a few examples. Coat improvements with diet maybe seen after 4 weeks.

Care through grooming is really important if you want to keep the coat in its optimum condition. A show exhibitor usually makes alot of hard work to keep his or her yorkie really beautiful. For a pet owner, it is important to always keep the coat clean as dirt and dust are the main culprits in damaging the coat. Daily brushing is needed to stimulate the skin for hair growth and oil production. A good brush without the ball tip is recommended for the yorkie coat to prevent the brush from tugging the hair and breaking it. Spritz a bit of coat protector on your brush before brushing the yorkie coat as dry coats are prone to break than a protected coat.

Go Pacquiao!

Reeses congratulates Manny Pacquiao for his win against Oscar de la Hoya! Reeses wears his doggy tank with a Manny Pacquiao logo. :)

Yorkie Ratter

It is really amazing how traits that are now rarely evident can emerge by triggering a memory from their ancestors. Yorkies were the dogs of the working class and helped their owners eradicate rodents and other vermins. Instead of entering the show ring, they were entered in a ratting contest! Though much of its terrier qualities have been dominated by elegant toy qualities, still, their hearts never forget their origins...

A funny video of Reeses with the pet mini-kangaroo rats (AKA GERBILS)...

*No Gerbil was ever harmed by their yorky roomies

Yorky Top Knot

Yorkies with different colored bows on their heads are irresistibly cute! Some owners even keep the hair on the yorky's head longer just to be able to keep the top knot even when the coat from the neck down is cut short or shaved. Yorkies would even look better wearing a top knot with a little bit of "poof." What I used to do with my dogs was to just gather up some hair on top of the head and tie it with elastics then pull the band to loosen the knot a bit for a poofy look. When I put the bow, the bow will look like it's floating and would face all directions. What I did was definitely not the way to do the poofy top knot. LOL...
There are various techniques in making the top knot. A show top knot requires teasing the hair for more volume (if they want the dog to have an illusion of a shorter muzzle and the eyes less prominently looking). This entry will teach you how to do a simple poofy yorky top knot.

What you'll need:
A Rat Tail Comb(comb with a thin, stick-like handle for parting the hair)
Grooming bands
Yorky Bow (5/8 for 5 pound yorkies, 7/8 for more than 5 pounds)
**If you don't have a rat-tail comb you may use a comb with fine teeth and a stick for parting the hair (make sure the stick has no sharp and harmful tip to hurt your dog)

Follow the image below:

1. Prepare your dog's coat. Make sure it's free of tangles and mats. You can add a bit of dog friendly mousse to pump some volume into the hair.

2. Gather the hair on top of the head and with your rat tail comb or parting stick, define the sectioning of the top knot by the following partings:
a. horizontal line between the eyes
b. on both sides--a line from the outer corner of the eye to the base of the ears. (do not include the ear roots)
c. a line created by joining the end points at the base of each ear.

3. Secure the sectioned hair with a band.

4. Create a poof with the parting stick by loosening a thin outer portion of the knot.

5. Create a fold to create a mini-fan of hair and secure it with another band.

6. Attach the bow. (You may use dog friendly hair gel for a smooth finish)

Voila!

Twix with a simple top knot

Note:
*Yorkies under 1 year of age do not need the 5th step. You may attach the bow right after creating the poof.

*If the band at the back of the bow is too loose to be attached without twisting, you may do this:

After doing step 2, divide the section into 2 parts (front and back). Attach the bow right away on the front section. Then secure the front and back sections together with a band so the bow won't slip off. Continue step 4-step 5.

Yorky Structure

It's very common to find ads saying "Quality" pups/dogs for sale. However, quality can be excellent and quality can be poor.
What really determines quality?
Sometimes, you have to do your very own assignment to help you judge if you are really getting an excellent bred puppy/dog. Redmarks, or the number of champions in a pedigree, are nothing if the actual dog/pup possesses the "bad genes" (non conforming or unhealthy).

The factors determining the quality would be:
1. Health
2. Conformation (Type, Substance, Soundness)
3. Pedigree (important if you plan to breed and to check for inbreedings which can be dangerous if done by inexperienced breeders or done several times).
Amongst the three, conformation is the hardest to fully understand. The breed standard is a great start to learn about breed conformation. It describes the perfect Yorkshire Terrier (which is really non existent) and it is the goal for breed improvement and breed protection. You'll be surprised to learn that an ideal Yorkie of a breeder is different from another breeder. The variations happen because each breeder has his or her own preferred qualities (which still conforms to the standards if the breeder breeds for improvement).
Soundness is an aspect not fully explained in the Breed Standard, Soundness is about how the dog is put together--as an art and a science. The canine art involves the type, the form, proportion or simply, the aesthetic aspect of the dog. Since art is subjective, this causes the variations mentioned earlier about the ideal dog in mind of breeders. Canine science involves structure, health, and substance. Science is objective and very important for the over all functionality of the dog. Unfortunately, structural soundness is often overlooked.
Anyway, to help you out with some basics on understanding structural soundness, I've made some illustrations. :)
*Puppies can be evaluated starting around 8 weeks for structure (to see which one is promising or not). However, you can not determine right away if a pup is of show quality until it reaches adulthood or at least 1 year old.

*the illustrations adapted for the Yorkshire Terrier breed belongs to http://strictlyYT.blogspot.com

*Pat Hastings is the author of "Tricks of the Trade"

My First Yorkie Breed Conformation Show

Goober and I had our first show together at SM Molino last September. He got Winner's Dog in Ring1 and Reserve Winner's Dog in Ring2. This was the video of the Ring2. I had a problem with Goober to walk with me since he was curious about the scents on the carpet and had to run so he'd follow. Super obvious that I was a newbie and was being coached by ringside people. (I don't know what to do, Thanks guys) It was tiring and I had only one entry dog... what more with those with multiple dogs... they must feel super tired! I had to leave my two yorkids at home since I can't attend to them when I am handling Goober. Over-all, It was really fun. I did enjoy my first show and the venue isn't that far from where I live and has air-conditioning so it's comfortable. Goober is now pointed for his PH CH title @ 6mos and we need ALOT to improve. I promise to train him more and join more shows so he gets used to it like his great sister, Tiny. :)

You may laugh now... LOL...

Finding a Veterinarian for your Yorkie

The Veterinarian is the most important person in your yorkie's life (especially after you). This post is just about what to inquire your prospective certified vet and determine if he's the right one for your friend/ baby/ furball. The following questions are from Deborah Wood's book, The Yorkshire Terrier

How many Yorkies or other toy dogs do you regularly treat?
There is an art of caring for a 3 to 6 pound dog that veterinarians who usually only treat bigger breeds may not develop

Are you active in local or national veterinary associations?
This is a question to know if your vet is current and update with the latest development in veterinary medicine

What arrangements do you make for hours when your clinic is closed?
This is important as emergency situations might happen during off hours.

What kind of anesthesia do you use when you perform surgery?
Your yorkie is very sensitive to anesthesia because of their little size. The best anesthesia for the Yorkshire Terrier are the modern gas anesthetics such as ISOFLURANE. Safer than the old-fashioned IV's (make sure you had your dog checked for allergies, liver shunts and other diseases that may affect your dogs reaction to anesthetics)

What kind of monitoring equipment is in place during surgery?
It is important that your vet can continuously monitor your dog's heart and other vital function when he or she is put under anesthesia

Do you have certified veterinary technicians on your staff?
Your pet is safer if he is benefiting from the skills of a trained technician during surgery that with an untrained one of course. High quality staff is a sign of a high quality vet

Note that though you have chosen the best vet in the world, it is important that he or she is a good communicator so that the both of you will be able to the best possible solution for any health problems.

Introducing my Furball: Goober

Ceres C Illusion (Goober)

(Click name for pedigree)
DOB:March 15,2008

Goober is my youngest Yorkie. So far, his big bro, Reeses, and his big sis, Twix, have been very nice to him. He's the little bro in the gang but he was already stocky and huge at 5 months of age. I prefer a bigger guy (but still won't go over the standard 7 lbs). He's such an outgoing boy, very confident and has a spirit too big for a yorkie (which is great). His structure is great and full of substance. No wonder he moves with ease. He's pointed for his Philippine Championship. However, I just let him sport a cut down look. I think it will be best to show him when he reaches two years of age--when he's more mature. It's a relief that he did not grow any bigger. He's currently turning 9 months as of writing this blog entry and weighs 2.8 to 3.0 kilograms.

Introducing my Furball: Twix

Registered Name: Pebbles of 3G

DOB: 06-19-2007


This is my girl, Twix. She's one sweet girl with a big appetite. She never wants me to leave her side... miss cry baby... a little jumper... Her black coat just started breaking at 10 months... I love her silky coat texture since puppyhood. She loves being photographed that's why she has more photos than Reeses... She likes to bully the boys but gets easily scared by loud sounds.

Introducing my Furball: Reeses

Registered Name: Jonel's Hairy Pawter
DOB: 7th of April, 2007

I have already said a wee bit about Reeses, my first yorkie in one of my posts.
He's the first yorkie I ever had and is the reason why I'm in love with yorkies. I got him when he was 4 months of age and he's such a real sweetheart. He's very energetic and playful. He loves to explore the whole place (together with his sidekick, Twix) He loves to play fetch and tug-o-war. Pasta is his favorite dish. He loves watching the zombies in "Deadrising" (xbox 360 game) and barks at them everytime! lolz... He's a smart pup and very easy to train and housebreak. It is true that the yorkshire terrier is one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs (puppies raised in a caged environment are hard to housebreak because they only recognize one place to do their business--the cage--and will treat your house just a bigger version of it so be careful when you get your own).

The Origins of the Yorkshire Terrier

Reading about the origins of the Yorkshire Terrier, it's surprising to learn that this toy breed has a "rags-to-riches" story. Yorkies were not originally bred to be little dainty companions of the rich or the prominent ones, but were bred to be little brave vermin hunters to be companions of the working men.

Before 1750, most people worked in agriculture, and then great changes began during the age of Industrial Revolution. In Yorkshire, small communities grew up around the pit heads. People came from far and wide seeking work and brought their families and pets with them. Scottish workers brought with them their Glasgow or Paisley Terriers (all blue silky Skye Terrier), Clydesdale Terriers (blue and tan Skye Terrier), and old style of Skye terriers with them to help rid the mills of rats. Inevitably, these dogs must have been crossed with other terriers in Yorkshire.
Lancaster and York also became the most popular counties in England for dog shows. Early Yorkies were once called as "Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers" since the credit of producing this breed was attributed to the Scotch.These terriers were primarily working dogs, catching rats and rabbits, and much larger than the Yorkie that we know today.
Gradually over the years these Scotch terriers were crossed with other types of terriers, probably the soft, longish-coated black and tan English Toy Terrier (which used to be common) and the Skye Terrier. Mr. Hugh Dalziel authored a book about British Dogs and suggested a theory that a dash of Maltese Terrier blood might have also contributed to the origins of the modern Yorkie.

It was in 1865 that the famous Huddersfield Ben was born, a dog who is considered to be the father of the modern Yorkie. In 1875 they were first registered in the Kennel Club’s Stud Book as ‘Broken-haired Scotch Terriers or Yorkshire Terriers’.

Mrs. M.A. Foster's "PRINCE"

It was not until 1886 that this toy terrier attained its universal recognition as Yorkshire Terrier, named after the place where the breed was improved and refined, as an individual breed by the Kennel Club .
In 1898, the first Yorkshire Terrier Club (UK) was formed and remains existing today.

YT Breed Standards (CKC,FCI,AKC,KC)

The Yorkshire Terrier, (often called simply the Yorkie), is a breed of small dog in the terrier category. The long-haired terrier is known for its playful demeanor and distinctive blue and tan coat. Yorkies can be very small, usually weighing not more than 7 pounds (3.18 kilograms); the standard of this breed does not mention the minimum weight accepted nor does it specify a height. Based on registrations of the American Kennel Club, Yorkshire Terriers became the second most popular dog breed in the United States in 2006 , trailing only the Labrador Retriever.

Yorkshire Terrier Standard

General Appearance: The General Appearance descriptions for all of the Standards shown are very similar with different wording used.

CKC: That of a well-balanced long-coated toy terrier, readily identified by its straight-flowing silky body coat of bright shiny lustrous steel blue and clear-shaded golden tan. The hair is parted on the muzzle and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail. The Yorkie is square and well proportioned. The dog?s high head carriage and alert expression give the appearance of self-confidence, a sparkling and vigorous manner.

AKC: That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self-importance.

UKC: The Yorkshire Terrier's appearance is that of a well-balanced, long-coated, small (Toy-type) terrier, readily identified by its straight-flowing body coat. The hair is parted on the muzzle and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail. The body is square and evenly proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner gives the appearance of vigor and self-importance.

KC: Long-coated, coat hanging quite straight and evenly down each side, a parting extending from nose to end of tail. Very compact and neat, carriage very upright conveying an important air. General outline conveying impression of vigorous and well proportioned body.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard)

Temperament:

CKC: The keenly alert air of the terrier is characteristic. He is intelligent, friendly, and willing to please.

AKC: (Not indicated in the Standard.)

UKC: Characteristics: Although small, the Yorkshire Terrier is spirited, reflecting its terrier strains, and very healthy and strong. Yorkies love to romp and play in spite of the amount and length of its coat. Modern Yorkies are very distinctive with their dark, steel-blue coat and rich tan color on head, legs, chest and breeches. Yorkshire Terriers are very intelligent and lovable and, because of their size, make excellent traveling companions. They exhibit a keenly alert terrier-type temperament.

KC: Characteristics: Alert, intelligent toy terrier. Temperament: Spirited with even disposition.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard)

Size:

(Same for all Standards indicated here.)

CKC: The weight not to exceed 7 lb. (3 kg).

AKC: Weight must not exceed seven pounds.

UKC: The Yorkshire Terrier weighs no more than seven pounds.

KC: Weight up to 3.2 kgs (7 lbs).

FCI: Weight up to 3,1 kg (7 lbs).

Coat Color:

CKC: Quality and texture of coat is of prime importance. The hair is glossy, silky, and fine in texture reflecting a certain brilliance and feels cool to the touch. The coat on the body hangs perfectly straight, not wavy, showing the outline of the well-bodied Yorkie. On the mature dog, the coat will eventually reach floor length. The fall on the head is long and tied in the centre with one bow. The hair on the muzzle is moderately long. Puppies are born black with tan markings showing a gradual progression to the colour of the mature adult dog to which the following colour requirements apply.
Body Colour: The body coat is a bright steel blue, not light silver and not BLACK, not mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs. The blue extends over the body from the back of the neck to the root of the tail.
Head, Chest and Legs: A clear golden tan deeper in colour at sides of head, at ear roots! and on the muzzle,with ears a deep golden tan. The golden tan hair is shaded from the roots down and does not extend down the back of the neck, nor above the elbows on forelegs or above the stifle on the hind legs.

AKC: Coat: Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat appearance.
Colors: Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are matured. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs, to which the following color requirements apply:
Blue: Is a dark steel-blue, not a silver-blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs.
Tan: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.
Color on Body: The blue extends over the body from back of neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker blue, especially at end of tail.
Headfall: A rich golden tan, deeper in color at sides of head, at ear roots and on the muzzle, with ears a deep rich tan. Tan color should not extend down on back of neck.
Chest and Legs: A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs.

UKC: Coat: The hair is glossy, silky and fine in texture, reflecting a certain brilliance, and feels cool to the touch. The coat on the body hangs straight, showing the outline of a well-bodied Yorkie. The coat of an adult dog will eventually reach floor length. The fall on the head is long and tied up in the center with a bow. The hair on the muzzle is moderately long. The body hair may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neat appearance. The feet may also be trimmed for neatness. When exhibiting the Yorkshire Terrier, adhering to the U.K.C. philosophy of the "Total Dog," it is permissible to show a dog that has been "cut down," and the dog should not be faulted for lack of floor-length coat.
Faults: Cotton- or wool-textured coat in adults.
Color: Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are mature. The mature coat color occurs gradually, therefore puppies should not be faulted for lack of color change until they are two years old. The colors in adult dogs are:
Blue - a dark steel-blue.
Tan - All tan hairs are darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to a still lighter tan at the tips.
On the body and headfall - (Same as AKC Standard.)
The hair on the chest and legs is (Same as AKC Standard.)
Faults: In adult dogs, fawn or bronze hairs mingling with silver-blue color. Sooty or black hair intermingled with the tan.
Disqualifications: Any change in coat color by artificial means. Albinism.

KC: Coat: Hair on body moderately long, perfectly straight (not wavy), glossy; fine silky texture, not woolly. Fall on head long, rich golden tan, deeper in colour at sides of head, about ear roots and on muzzle where it should be very long. Tan on head not to extend on to neck, nor must any sooty or dark hair intermingle with any of tan.

Colour: Dark steel blue (not silver blue), extending from occiput to root of tail, never mingled with fawn, bronze or dark hairs. Hair on chest rich, bright tan. All tan hair darker at the roots than in middle, shading to still lighter at tips.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard)

Head:

All of the Standards shown are very similar in describing the skull, head, nose, eyes, ears, and teeth. Minor differences do exist in the details however and all text is shown.

CKC: Skull should be rather small and flat, not too prominent or round.
Muzzle not too long in proportion to skull, set on a 90 degree angle to the head forming the stop.
Nose jet black.
Mouth either level or scissor bite with strong sound teeth.
Eyes oval, dark and sparkling, having a sharp, intelligent expression, placed so as to look directly forward. They should not be prominent and the eye rims should be dark in colour.
Ears small V-shaped, carried erect, set high on the head, with the hair trimmed short on the tips.

AKC: Small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, with the bite neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissors bite or level bite is acceptable. The nose is black. Eyes are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color and sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression. Eye rims are dark. Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not too far apart.

UKC:The skull is rather small and flat, and is not too prominent or round.
The muzzle is not too long in proportion to the skull and is set on a 90-degree angle to the head, forming a definite stop.
TEETH - A full complement of strong white teeth meet in a level or scissors bite.
Faults: Overshot bite. Undershot bite.
EYES - The eyes are oval in shape, dark in color, and are sparkling; with a sharp, intelligent expression. The eye rims are dark in color.
Faults: Prominent eyes. Other than dark eye rims.
NOSE - The nose is black.
EARS - The ears are small and V-shaped and carried erect. They are set high on the head, with the hair trimmed short on the tips.
Faults: Bat, cropped, or down ears.

KC: Head and Skull: Rather small and flat, not too prominent or round in skull, nor too long in muzzle; black nose.
Eyes: Medium, dark, sparkling, with sharp intelligent expression and placed to look directly forward. Not prominent. Edge of eyelids dark.
Ears: Small, V-shaped, carried erect, not too far apart, covered with short hair, colour very deep, rich tan.
Mouth: Perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth well placed with even jaws.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard)

Neck:

CKC: Medium length, blending smoothly into the shoulders to create the elegant head carriage. (Same as UKC Standard)

AKC: (Not indicated in standard.)

UKC: The neck is of medium length and blends smoothly into the shoulders to create the characteristic elegant head carriage.

KC: Good reach.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard)

Body:

CKC: Topline must be level. The chest has a good spring of rib, oval in shape, with gradual rounding toward the base with sufficient depth for the elbows. The loin to be short and strong.

AKC: Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.

UKC: The topline must be level, with the height at the top of the withers the same as the height at the rump. The chest has a good spring of rib. The ribs are oval in shape, with a gradual rounding toward the base with sufficient depth to accommodate the elbows. The back is short. The loins are short and strong.
Faults: Unlevel topline. Roached back. Sloping croup.

KC: Compact with moderate spring of rib, good loin. Level back.

FCI: Compact. Back : Level. Loins : Well sustained. Ribs : Moderate spring of ribs.

Legs:

CKC: Forequarters: Legs quite straight, elbows neither in nor out, pasterns strong and straight with ideal shoulder angulation of 45 degrees. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws should be removed.
Hindquarters: Sturdy, well-muscled hindquarters with proper angulation, sound stifles and hocks turning neither in nor out. Feet are round with black toenails.

AKC: Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when viewed from behind, but stifles are moderately bent when viewed from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.

UKC: Forequarters: The forelegs are straight. The elbows are well held in, but do not restrict movement. The pasterns are strong and straight. The ideal shoulder angulation is 45 degrees, with a good lay to.
Faults: Elbows out or in.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters are sturdy, well muscled and have proper angulation. The hind legs, when viewed from behind, are straight. When viewed from the side, the stifles are well angulated. The stifles are sound and the hocks are straight, turning neither in nor out.

KC: Forequarters: Well laid shoulders, legs straight, well covered with hair of rich golden tan a few shades lighter at ends than at roots, not extending higher on forelegs than elbow.
Hindquarters: Legs quite straight when viewed from behind, moderate turn of stifle. Well covered with hair of rich golden tan a few shades lighter at ends than at roots, not extending higher on hindlegs than stifles.

FCI: Forequarters: (Same as KC Standard.)
Hindquarters : (Same as KC Standard.)

Feet:

CKC: Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws should be removed from forelegs.

AKC: Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.

UKC: The feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws may be removed from the forelegs and are generally removed from the hind legs.

KC: Not indicated

FCI: Round; nails black.

Tail:

CKC: Dock to a medium length, with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than the rest of the body, especially at the end of the tail, carried higher than the level of the back.

AKC: Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.

UKC: The tail is docked to a medium length. The tail set is level with the topline, with the tail carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
Fault: Low tail set.

KC: Customarily docked.
Docked: Medium length with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than rest of body, especially at end of tail. Carried a little higher than level of back.
Undocked: Plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than rest of body, especially at end of tail. Carried a little higher than level of back. As straight as possible. Length to give a well balanced appearance.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard.)

Gait:

CKC: Smooth and flowing, moving in a straight line, with a free and easy stride.

AKC: (Not Indicated in Standard.)

UKC: The dogs exhibit a smooth and flowing movement, in straight line, with good reach and strong drive. As speed increases, the dogs single track. The topline remains level while gaiting.

KC: Gait/Movement: Free with drive; straight action front and behind, retaining level topline.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard.)

Faults:

CKC: Excessive shyness; cottony or woolly texture coat; black body coat on a mature dog; fawn or bronzy hair intermingled with blue; sooty or black hairs intermingled with the golden tan of adult dogs; overshot or undershot bite; rounded bat ears, cropped ears; roached back, sloping croup.

AKC: (Not indicated in Standard.)

UKC:

• Cotton- or wool-textured coat in adults.


• In adult dogs, fawn or bronze hairs mingling with silver-blue color. Sooty or black hair intermingled with the tan.


• Overshot bite. Undershot bite.


• Prominent eyes. Other than dark eye rims.


• Bat, cropped, or down ears.


• Unlevel topline. Roached back. Sloping croup


• Elbows out or in.


• Low tail set.

KC: 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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

FCI: (Same as KC Standard)

Disqualifications: (For Showing)

CKC: Ears held erect by tying the hair into the topknot. Any adulteration in the colour of the coat by artificial means.

AKC: (Not Indicated in Standard.)

UKC: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Any change in coat color by artificial means. Albinism.

KC: (Not indicated in the KC Standard.)

FCI: Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

Images from http://www.ausilk.com:

Falling in love with yorkies

The very first time I set my eyes on a Yorkie was when I was a kid. It was not even a real dog but was just a photo of a Yorkie in an encyclopedia. I felt something special and captivating about this toy-terrier. Considering, my young age at the time, it must be the long silky coat and the cute red topknot bow as associated with a little girl's fondness of dolls with long locks and ribbons. From there on, the Yorkie has become a part of my life's wish list.

Though Yorkshire Terrier has been existing for more than a century already, this elegant breed has not yet gain much popularity in the Philippines and there was only a few breeders who breed and show Yorkies when I was younger. It was only in the late 199o's or early 2000 that the Yorkshire Terrier started to gain popularity as the world gets smaller with technological advancements. Due to the publicity the breed has gained through the celebrities of developed countries such as the United States and the increased availability and easy access of information over the internet, the Filipinos started to ride the pet lifestyle and pet industry trend.

The number of breeders soar in response to the demand from Filipino Yorkie lovers and the promise of profits through breeding and selling Yorkies. Being clueless of the standards, I took this event as something positive and was able to acquire my very first pet Yorkshire Terrier in August of 2007 from a backyard breeder. I got my Yorkie for a low price, which was just around US$250.00. The breeder was honest that he was of pet quality. I did not know what it meant and got scared that my Yorkie was not healthy enough and had my veterinarian run some tests on my dog. Luckily, my dog is healthy. I was really paranoid yet the worries actually drove me to research and learn about the true Yorkshire Terrier and further fell in love with the breed. above:Reeses when I got him

From admiring the aesthetic beauty of Yorkies, I was drawn closer into having my own. From learning and discovering more about this breed, I was owned. My love and care for my yorkie became a passion and dedication to protect the breed for I want the generations after me to also experience the same wonder and joy having this beautiful breed as companions.

Reeses, now an adult
*photo is not to advertise the product but to show the source of the name of dog*