In this blog post, we will answer the following question: What is a teddy bear Yorkie? We will write a brief summary about the adorable Yorkies and the variations or types that are derived from this breed.
What is a teddy bear Yorkie?
Known for its long, fine hair, its sleek body, and its endearing gaze, the Yorkshire Terrier is another dog that looks like teddy bears, especially during its puppyhood or when it gets the haircut known as the”cute puppy “.
It is a very active and curious breed that loves to explore and play, although it is also true that it has a strong and dominant character. It is very familiar and we can find it in toy, small or medium size.
How many types of Yorkshire terrier are there?
The Yorkshire Terrier is the only type of Yorkie recognized by official clubs. This is the original dog, which has served as the breeding base for all Yorkies. It is said that it was obtained by crossing the Clydesdale terrier and the paisley terrier, a now-extinct breed.
The breed standard indicates that the pure Yorkshire is a compactly built, toy-sized dog, measuring between 7-8 inches, and weighing no more than 7 pounds. The high-headed demeanour and confident attitude of the dog should give the appearance of vigour and self-esteem. Its coat is silky, fine and long, perfectly straight (never wavy).
When they are puppies, their fur is tan-black, almost always darker in the body area. As they grow, their fur takes on a tan hue, especially on the head and legs; It should be noted that no tan is mixed with black hair.
The body coat exhibits a steely blue colour, never silver, that extends from the back of the neck to the root of the tail. The tail always shows a darker blue, especially towards the end.
The Yorkshire Terrier was recognized by the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom in the 1870s, and in 1885 it was recognized by the American Kennel Club, in the United States.
It is a dog known throughout the world as a purebred, derived from the extinct paisley terrier and the Clydesdale terrier, from whom it inherited its particular brown and steel-blue coat.
A single standard and 6 breed variations of Yorkshire Terrier
Now, dogs with colours and markings that deviate from the original coat and size are also often classified as Yorkies, although officially some of them are not. These specimens are the result of Yorkshire that have been genetically modified, that have been crossed with other dogs or that have badly marked fur.
With this in mind, here are the 6 types of Yorkshire that are often referred to among breeders and lovers of the breed:
- The tricolour Yorkshire terrier
- The Biewer terrier
- The designer Yorkie
- The mini Yorkie or cup of tea
- The black Yorkshire terrier
- The mismarked Yorkie
Let’s see what characterizes each of them and what are the main differences …
tri-colour Yorkie
The tricolour Yorkie is not a separate breed; it is a Yorkshire terrier with different colours. Traditional Yorkies’ fur can be a combination of black and tan, black and blue, or bluish and tan, but the tricolour can display any combination of these colours, including white or chocolate as well.
The most common combination of tricolour Yorkshires is tan on the head and white on the body with some spots of black.
These dogs can even be a solid shade; this is why you can sometimes see a totally chocolate or blonde Yorkie. Although there is some debate among breed lovers as to whether the tricolour Yorkie is purebred, it was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2000 as part of its registry.
Biewer terrier
Although many refer to him as a type of Yorkie, the truth is that the biewer is a new breed derived from the Yorkshire terrier. At first glance, these puppies look a lot like the tricolour Yorkie puppies, but if we take a look closer to the coat we will see a difference in the markings.
The tricolour Yorkie has a tanned head and its body is a mixture of white and black spots; For its part, the biewer has a standard pattern of white and spots of another colour, generally symmetrical, in specific areas of the body. In other words, if you see a dog that looks like the Yorkie, but has mostly white fur, you are most likely seeing a biewer terrier.
They can measure between 7 and 11 inches, weigh between 4 and 8 pounds, and since they are most popular in Europe where tailing is illegal, they don’t usually have their tails docked.
The Yorkie Biewer was listed in the American Kennel Club registry, allowing it to compete in the Toy group shows since 2014.
Designer Yorkie
A fairly common tendency is to cross Yorkshire dogs with other breeds, for example with the Chihuahua (you get the Chorkie), with the Poodle (you get the Yorkiepoo) and with the Maltese (you get a Morkie). This is what is known as designer Yorkies, which are always mixed breed dogs.
One of the main differences between pure Yorkie and the mixed Yorkie is personality. The designer Yorkie will inherit the temperament of its non-Yorkie mother or father. As is to be expected, they also exhibit physical differences, in a training capacity and the maximum age they can reach; designer specimens tend to live less and are more likely to experience health problems.
Yorkie teacup or miniature Yorkie
The miniature Yorkie is a Yorkshire terrier that has been bred to be significantly smaller than normal. It is considered one of the smallest dogs in the world.
Although it can weigh up to 7 pounds (the maximum approved weight for the Yorkshire breed), the teacup generally weighs 2-4 pounds and is 4-5 inches long. Despite being recognized by many as a purebred dog, they are not eligible for official dog shows.
It should be noted that mini Yorkies terriers are prone to certain size-related health problems, such as brittle bones and bladder problems.
Black Yorkie
Many refer to these specimens as a type of Yorkshire due to the rarity of their fur. As puppies, Yorkies generally have a black or tan coat, which changes as they grow.
Once the dog has reached adulthood, its coat is typically bluish and tan; however, there is a possibility that an adult Yorkie is predominantly black. It is said that in most cases, black Yorkies are not purebred.
The mismarked Yorkie
The 4 approved colour variations for the Yorkshire breed standard are Blue and Tan, Blue and Gold, Black and Gold, Black and Tan. Any other marking is considered a bad colour. This includes the golden Yorkie, the chocolate Yorkie, the red Yorkie, and the silver Yorkie.
These rare specimens, together with the even rarer red-legged Yorkshire terrier, are the quintessential “mismarked”.
The breed standard allows the dog to have a small white spot on the sill, as long as the longest dimension does not exceed 1 inch.
Yorkshire terrier types: silky hair vs. cottony hair
Taking into account the characteristics of the coat, there are also 2 types of Yorkshire terriers: the silky long-haired Yorkie and the cottony short-haired Yorkie.
Silky hair. Most Yorkshire terriers have this coat; in fact, it is one of the distinctive features of the breed. According to the standard described by the AKC, the coat of these dogs is silky, shiny, fine and straight, capable of growing to the ground.
Keeping a Yorkie’s skin well hydrated will be the biggest challenge for an owner, as their fine, silky hair doesn’t offer much protection. Likewise, maintaining regular coat care to avoid split ends, loss of shine and tangles is another important task.
Cottony hair: Some Yorkies have a different type of coat, with a cottony and porous texture, rather than silky. It is thicker, wavy and dense hair. Although it never grows that long, this coat is extremely prone to matting, hence most owners choose to always keep it short.
How to know if a Yorkshire terrier is purebred?
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.
Final thoughts
So far we have seen a summary about the adorable Yorkies and the variations or types that are derived from this breed. We hope that the information provided helps you to recognize when it is a mini, a bad-marked, or the purest standard Yorkshire.
No matter what type of Yorkie you have around the house, give them all the love and care they deserve. Not for fun, it is one of the most popular and sought-after pet dogs in the world.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on What is a teddy bear Yorkie?
Why do Yorkies cost so much?
Yorkies cost a lot because they are considered a royal breed. Yorkie puppies with an aristocratic pedigree that are the offspring of champions of the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the US are at the top of the scale when it comes to high prices.
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 attached to their owners?
Yorkies can become very attached to their owners and become incredibly protective of the whole family. Yorkies are great dogs as guard dogs, no matter their size.
References
Yorkieadvice.com
Petsworld.in
Animalwised.com
