The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest breeds of dogs. It was developed during the 19th century in Yorkshire, England. This article discusses the characteristics of the Yorkshire Terrier and its color-modifying gene. You can also read about the Yorkie’s lifespan and coat color. These facts can help you decide whether the Yorkshire Terrier is the perfect pet for you.

Yorkshire Terrier breed standard

A Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog with a big personality. Though smaller than Chihuahuas, the Yorkshire is boisterous, bossy and feisty. This little dog’s tiny size does not detract from its big personality, as it is well-known for its ability to engage with humans. It has earned the nickname “tomboy toy” for its engaging ways.

Despite the breed’s teeny size, the Yorkshire is known for its smooth movement. A typical Yorkie weighs up to seven pounds. It also displays strong drive and straight action front and rear. Its coat is a deep shade of tan, not ginger or rust.

The head of the Yorkshire is tiny but compact. It should be flat but not round. The teeth should be level and sharp. The rump and shoulder heights should be the same, and the head should be level. The ribs are shaped like an oval, and they should be deep enough to meet the elbows.

The Yorkshire Terrier breed standard states that a Yorkie should weigh between five and seven pounds. The body of a Yorkie should be well-proportioned, with a level back and short legs. The back legs should be moderately bent when viewed from behind. Yorkies also have dewclaws, which are commonly removed. The UKC and AKC breed standards explicitly allow this practice.

The Yorkshire Terrier has a long history. It was first brought to England by Scottish weavers in the mid-nineteenth century. English miners later developed the breed. Although the dog was a smaller dog at first, it eventually became one of the most popular dogs in England and the United States.

The Yorkshire Terrier breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1956. It is a small, spirited terrier that has a long, silky coat. Puppies have black coats with tan points, while adults have a full coat that reaches the floor. Its head is flat and its ears are small and triangular. The tail is docked at three to five days old and is usually about half the original length.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog that displays its terrier heritage, making it a great companion dog. It is an excellent watchdog and does not require a lot of exercise. It should not be kept by small children. It should not weigh more than seven pounds (3 kg).

Yorkie characteristics

Yorkies are known to be very loyal and protective of their owners. They also love to receive lots of attention and show affection to their owners. This trait can make them good family pets. Although they are small, they can be strong willed and independent. While they tend to listen to their owners, they aren’t always quick to listen to others. This can make them very stubborn at times.

Other Yorkie characteristics include being a bit aggressive. Like any other dog, Yorkies are very protective and can become aggressive if they feel threatened. They bark in high pitches when they sense danger. They can even alert from a distance. Similarly, Yorkies can get aggressive towards small babies and must be watched at all times.

Yorkies can also be very protective of their family. Female Yorkies are often protective of their puppies. However, this behavior isn’t always present in both sexes. While males are more affectionate and independent, females are more likely to guard their territory. In general, males are easier to train and are more social. However, male and female Yorkies can be equally affectionate.

Other Yorkie characteristics include being a great companion. They are small, but incredibly intelligent and trainable. They respond well to commands, and they are also great at adjusting to new environments. As a result, they make excellent pets for apartment dwellers and lap dogs. However, they do best with families with older children, and don’t do well with very young children. This is because they can become snappy around younger children.

Yorkies can be great watchdogs. While they won’t do real damage, they can be brave guard dogs. However, they require a lot of grooming. Their fur is almost similar to that of human hair, so their owners have to regularly trim their coats. This requires a great deal of time.

Although Yorkies can get along well with other pets, they are very picky about who they interact with. While they can tolerate most dogs, they are generally more comfortable around smaller, passive dogs.

Yorkie life expectancy

A Yorkie’s life expectancy is about seven years. This is a relatively short lifespan compared to other breeds of dogs, including the standard-sized dog. The small size makes them susceptible to injury and medical complications, which can result in a shortened lifespan. Fortunately, proper care and training can help your teacup yorkie live a long and healthy life.

Although Yorkies are notoriously prone to running out the door at will, there are many ways to keep them safe and extend their life. The first step is to get them to the vet on a regular basis. This can help prevent problems, such as dental problems, which can lead to painful or even fatal consequences for your pet. Additionally, proper dental care will virtually eliminate the risk of tooth infection. Proper care can also reduce the pain caused by tooth decay.

Another major factor affecting your Yorkie’s life expectancy is genetics. Your pup’s genes determine what diseases it will inherit. You also need to make sure that the parents of your dog are healthy. Breeders are responsible for ensuring good genetics for their pups, so genetic testing is a must.

Lastly, spaying and neutering is a good way to extend your Yorkie’s life. Studies show that male and female Yorkies who are fixed before six months live longer than those who are not fixed. Spaying prevents a dog from being in constant heat, and lowers the risk of developing fatal mammary gland and ovarian cancers. Additionally, spaying reduces the risk of testicular and prostate cancer in males.

While the average Yorkie lives up to 20 years, it’s important to remember that some Yorkies live shorter than expected. Mini Yorkies, for example, have shorter lives than standard Yorkies. In addition, female Yorkies live up to 1.5 years longer than males. A teacup Yorkie is much more susceptible to injuries and accidents than standard Yorkies.

The second leading cause of Yorkie death is trauma, which can be completely preventable. Injuries during pregnancy can pass through the placenta and cause malformations.

Yorkie’s color-modifying gene

The Yorkie’s coat color is determined by two pigments, eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red). As Yorkies age, eumelanin recedes from some areas of the body and is replaced by phaeomelanin in other areas. Both pigments are necessary for the dog’s color, and they are inherited from both parents.

The RALY gene controls the coat color of the Yorkshire Terrier. A Yorkie with this gene usually is born black and clears to a beautiful gold color as it grows older. However, the white Yorkie is rare, and most Yorkies have parti-coloring, which can be blue, tan, or chocolate. To achieve this coat color, both parents must carry the RALY gene, which expresses itself in a highly unpredictable manner.

As a pup, a Yorkie will have a black and tan coat, with tan patches in certain places. The tan area will be visible on the inside and tip of the ears, feet, and tail. The amount of tan will vary among individual dogs. In adulthood, the black part of the coat will turn blue. This process may start as early as six months and continue for many years. However, a Yorkie without the graying gene will still have a deep black coat at maturity.

A Yorkie’s color-modifying gene affects every part of its coat. It affects the coat colour, from eye pigment to nose pigment. It is recessive, and requires two copies of the gene in order to express itself. As a result, it can be either light or dark, and even affect a dog’s eyes or nose.

The American Kennel Club has strict rules about the colors of Yorkshire Terriers, but this does not mean you can’t choose the one you like. Yorkies come in various color combinations, and every individual one is unique. To help you decide which color scheme to choose, check out our Yorkie color guide. We have included a color chart as well as detailed information on why a Yorkie may have a specific color.