Appearance
The Yorkshire Terrier breed standard specifies that the dog should have a compact, athletic build suitable for an active lifestyle. The dog should hold itself in an upright, confident manner. The Yorkie has a free, jaunty gait, with both head and tail held high.
Coat and Color
Yorkshire Terriers are a long-haired breed with no undercoat, which means that they do not shed as much as their short haired friends. Rather, their hair is like human hair in that it grows continuously and falls out only when brushed or broken. Additionally, since Yorkies carry less dander on their coat, they generally do not have the unpleasant "wet dog" odor when wet, and they may not affect as many people who suffer from dog-related allergies.
Yorkie puppies are born with a black and tan coat, and normally have black hairs mixed in with the tan until they are matured. The breed standard for adult Yorkies places prime importance on coat color, quality and texture. The hair must be glossy, fine and silky. However, some have very fine hair, which feels different and is harder to care for.
Build and Proportions
The Yorkshire Terrier has a small head, which according to the breed standard, should be rather flat and not too round. The teeth should have either a “scissors bite” or level bite with no underbite or overbite. The Yorkie’s dark eyes are not too prominent, but should be sparkling, with sharp intelligent expression, and placed to look directly forward. The small, V-shaped ears are set high on the head, not too far apart, and should be carried erect. In some kennel clubs, ears that do not stand up are cause for automatic disqualification.
The breed standard dictates that a Yorkshire Terrier must weigh no more than seven pounds. A Yorkishire Terrier of this weight is typically between eight and nine inches tall. There is no distinction made in the standard between Yorkies of various sizes: there is no "teacup" or "standard" within the breed standard.