In this article, we answer the following question: What is a blue born Yorkie? We tell you how to identify a purebred Yorkshire Terrier; talk about its origins, character and care.
What is a blue born Yorkie?
Purebred Yorkies are known to have blue fur. The blue is not bright, but more blackish or blue-grey or washed black. This occurs depending on the genes the dog has at birth. Yorkies are the only breed of dog to carry this particular gene.
When Yorkie puppies are born, they are black and tan. The colour scheme varies with the dog. Some have more black than tan hair and vice versa. Yorkie puppies are never born with only one colour.
For example, a Yorkie puppy may be completely black when she is born, but upon closer inspection, you will find some tan hair somewhere on her body. As puppies age, there are only four coat colours in any combination that they will have. These four colours are black, blue, tan, and gold.
The change of colours in Yorkies
It is often difficult to notice the change of a dog’s coat because it happens gradually. Generally, when Yorkies are around six months old, their hair will start to change colour. It often takes until the dog is three years old before it has its permanent colour. The black coat of a Yorkie tends to gradually lighten at this age; however, each dog is different and matures at a different rate.
Most adult Yorkies are lighter in colour than young Yorkies. An adult Yorkie has more tan and gold fur than black. Most adult Yorkies have golden heads and mostly blue bodies. This blue colour often looks silver or grey. Once the dog is about 3 years old, its coat colours remain unchanged.
In recent times a lot of confusion and even deception to future owners is being generated, with another breed called: Biewer, Yorkshire de Biewer, Gold Dust Yorkshire, Yorkshires with Gen and a long etc., which, today, in our country it is not recognized as a breed and which, of course, are not coloured Yorkshire.
There is only one Yorkshire Terrier and its colour is the previously mentioned: Steel Blue-Gold.
One of the reasons that should be taken into account when breeding Yorkshire “out of colour” is that they could have genetic defects that can affect the health of the dog. Some of these problems can be severe skin conditions, allergies, total hair loss and, in some cases, in the short term, even death.
A responsible breeder will not intentionally breed specimens with unwanted defects.
On some rare occasions, a breeder may be born a puppy with an abnormal colour. That puppy should be destined for a home as a companion pet, but never be used for breeding. You should never fix those defects that are not desirable.
In all cases, a potential Yorkshire owner should inquire before acquiring their puppy.
How to identify a purebred Yorkshire terrier
The first thing to keep in mind to confirm the purity of a Yorkshire terrier puppy is to obtain a record of its pedigree with the breeder. Typically reputable breeders offer information on the purity of their puppies’ bloodline. Reliable proof of this is usually registration with kennel clubs and official associations.
Another alternative to differentiate if a Yorkshire terrier is pure or not is to examine its physical characteristics. Based on the breed standard, these are some of the key traits to look out for:
Colour. The coat of pure Yorkshire terriers is black and tan at birth. As the dog matures, its colour usually changes to steely blue and tan. This should not be a silvery blue or mixed with fawn, tan or black hairs.
Head. It should be small and flat at the top, with a short muzzle and a black nose.
Ears. Erect ears in a perfect V shape, not far apart, are also a sign of purity.
Eyes. Medium in size, not very prominent. They are dark and bright in colour, with a sharp and intelligent expression. Likewise, the edges of the eyes are noticeably dark.
Weight. A true Yorkie should weigh between 5 and 7 pounds as an adult. A specimen that weighs more than 7 pounds is no longer considered pure.
Body. Well proportioned and very compact.
Legs and paws. They have straight legs and round-shaped legs. Nails are always black.
Yorkshire Terrier: origins
Yorkshire, England: Its history begins in the second half of the 19th century. During the industrial revolution, in the old British county, where miners worked all day and often in poor hygiene conditions. One of the main problems consisted of the presence of mice, which were too many at that time.
Only a few decades after its origin it became a companion dog ( its main job was hunting): it is currently one of the most popular breeds on the planet.
Today it is a very beloved dog worldwide. Many specialized breeders are found in Venezuela, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Central America and in the United States. One of its main characteristics is its long and beautiful coat, “separated” by a division that goes from the snout to the tip of the tail.
Yorkshire Terrier: characteristics
How much does a Yorkshire Terrier weigh? 3 kg maximum! A real little dog. The eyes, on the other hand, are dark and bright, they manage to express all their essence. The ears are straight and can be seen well, because they are in an area where it does not have much hair, unlike the tail where the hair is more abundant (which has a darker blue colour than the rest of the body).
As for the coat, it is long and silky throughout the body: generally on the head, it is long and reddish-gold. The hair of this breed is dark blue on top, while underneath, especially on the legs and belly, it can be golden in colour. However, the two colours do not mix. It has no undercoat – for this reason, the Yorkshire Terrier is the ideal dog for allergy sufferers.
Yorkshire Terrier: character
It is one of the most appreciated companions and apartment dogs, especially among the elderly and families. He likes to snuggle continuously, always enjoying the company of his owner, perhaps curled up on a sofa. Although the Yorkshire Terrier is not the four-legged that loves long walks, it is very active and likes to play at home.
It is not difficult to train: it is not a stubborn breed, but it knows how to make itself respected, especially with strangers. He is never aggressive with his family, but he is aggressive with unknown people, just out of fear, not because he wants to attack.
Is it a dog that gets along with cats? Absolutely yes!
The average lifespan of a Yorkshire Terrier ranges from 12 to 15 years: in short, they live long, and for this reason, those who buy a puppy of this breed, must be very convinced. Also because it is a dog that requires attention, care and of course a lot of pampering. If he doesn’t get the attention he needs, he could also develop behaviour disorders, such as barking too much or continually digging in the dirt.
Are Yorkies high maintenance?
We cannot say that Yorkies are necessarily high maintenance dogs comparing it to the Hungarian Puli, the Siberian Husky, Beagle or Bulldog dog breeds, for example. However, you should know that Yorkshire terriers need high maintenance when we speak about their grooming.
The most outstanding characteristic of the Yorkshire terrier is its long, fine and straight hair. The hair colour is steel blue on the body and tail, while the rest is brown. Although the shedding rate of Yorkshire terriers is low, their coat needs regular care to keep it in good condition and looking good.
The good news is that your Yorkie sheds very little to no hair. However, their long, silky coat needs a lot of brushing. To prevent his hair from getting tangled and matted, his coat should be brushed 4 or 5 times a week with a stiff bristle brush and regularly taken to a professional for a haircut. Your Yorkie’s eyes and ears should also be cleaned regularly to avoid infection, and their teeth need to be brushed daily to avoid dental problems.
This breed is also sensitive to cold and has a tendency to catch colds, so it is necessary to protect them from bad weather. If they go outside in freezing temperatures, they can be put on a dog coat.
The behaviour and conduct of this dog will depend a lot on the socialization that they have from birth, especially if there are other pets in the home. Living with this breed is very good, it can play with children without problems or with other dogs. However, it must be borne in mind that they will always demand the attention of their owners.
Conclusions
In this article, we answered the following question: What is a blue born Yorkie? We taught you how to identify a purebred Yorkshire Terrier; talked about its origins, character and care.
A blue born Yorkie means a purebred Yorkie. When Yorkie puppies are born, they are black and tan. The colour scheme varies with the dog. Some have more black than tan hair and vice versa. Yorkie puppies are never born with only one colour.
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FAQ on What is a blue born Yorkie?
What is blue Yorkie?
A blue Yorkie is a puppy who will be born black and tan. For example, a Yorkie puppy may be completely black when she is born, but upon closer inspection, you will find some tan hair somewhere on her body.
What are the colours of Yorkies?
The coat of pure Yorkshire terriers is black and tan at birth. As the dog matures, its colour usually changes to steely blue and tan. This should not be a silvery blue or mixed with fawn, tan or black hairs.
What is the average price of a Yorkie?
The average price of a Yorkie is round $1200 – $1500 for a typical companion Yorkie. However, prices are negotiable most of the time.
Are Yorkies expensive to take care of?
Yorkies are not more expensive to take care off than most of the dogs. Food for a Yorkie may cost you around $300/year. But you should add to the bill veterinarian care, toys, tickets (if you want to travel with your dog).
Are Yorkies low maintenance?
Yorkies are not low maintenance, on the contrary. This breed is a barker, it can be difficult to train and needs regular exercise. Besides, a Yorkie’s hair needs to be groomed very often, combed every day.
References
Yorkieadvice.com
Petsworld.in
Animalwised.com
