Page 27 - ShowSight Presents - The Yorkshire Terrier

“THE COAT SHOULD NOT BE FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS CAUSED BY EGGBEATER LIKE LEG MOVEMENT.
RATHER, THE CORRECTLY BUILT YORKSHIRE TERRIER SHOULD MOVE VERY SMOOTHLY AND WITH EASE.”
otherwise specified by the individual breed’s standard.
In the Yorkie balance is of particular importance, whether the exhibit is four or five pounds or six to seven pounds. Per the standard and by eye measurement proper balance is as noted here:
• BODY LENGTH: The forward point of the brisket to the after tip of the pelvis.
• BODY HEIGHT: Top of the withers to the ground.
• BACK: The five, vertebrae between the withers and the loin, (ninth and thir- teenth vertebrae inclusive).
• BACKLlNE: Also called the top line, from the neck to the base of Tail, including withers, back, loin and croup. BY EYE MEASUREMENTS THIS
IS A SQUARE DOG THE BODY HEIGHT AND BODY LENGTH ALL OF EQUAL MEASUREMENTS.
The Standard does not describe eye measurement but it does say the follow- ing: The Body is very compact, rather short, with a level back line and with the height at the shoulders the same as the rump. It also emphasizes that a well- balanced outline is very important and is obtained by having the ideal length of neck, the ideal length of straight level back as well as the ideal length of leg. This overall harmonious effect, where every part fits properly, gives one the desired well-balanced Yorkshire Terrier.
ADDITIONALLY, IT IS EQUAL- LY OBVIOUS THAT A YORKIE WITH NO NECK, SHORT LEGS AND TOO LONG A BACK CAN NEVER ACHIEVE THE BALANCE REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
CORRECT MOVEMENT:
The Yorkshire Terrier is a trotter. The motion is harmonious, smooth, typically with an air of self importance and vigor. He moves in a straight line with free and
298 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2015
easy strides. The tail should not be fly- ing back and forth like a rudder. The coat should not be flying in all directions caused by eggbeater like leg movement. Rather, the correctly built Yorkshire Terrier should move very smoothly and with ease.
My greatest concern, both as a breeder and as a judge, is that some breeders are selling bitches as show quality but not for breeding. Typically, these bitches are under four pounds and much too small to be successfully bred. Good breeders will not breed bitches under five pounds. Our gene pool is very limited as we have less than a dozen breeders who have developed a line. The litters are very inconsistent in any lit- ter at maturity you can have a two pound adult, a five pound adult and a fourth gen- eration throw back that matures to be sev- en to ten pounds. For a small bitch to have birth weights so irregular causes problems.
Obviously, these factors do not influ- ence choice of a male Yorkshire Terrier.
In short, the Yorkshire Terrier has evolved from a workingman’s companion to one of the most glamorous stars of the Toy Group.
Reference for this article The Illustrated Discussion, Breed Standard, Early Book by P.H. Coombs And Mrs. Kolbert’s experi- ence of 48 years in the breed and a Judge since 1979.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was born and educated in Connecticut and hold a Master’s Degree in Finance and am a recently retired Bank Officer.
My involvement with breeding and show- ing began in 1963 when I purchased a fin- ished Champion Yorkshire Terrier, however this was not my first experience with dogs and animals as my Father raised Smooth Fox Terriers and Norwich Terriers and he was a great Horseman.
As an exhibitor and breeder of Yorkshire Terriers, Old English Sheepdogs, Peking- ese and Shih Tzu we have very successfully
campaigned to Best In Shows and also win- ning multiple Best In Groups. From the Turyanne Lines of Yorkshire Terriers over One Hundred Eighty-Nine Champions have been finished to date. Not only in the United States, but Europe as well.
Approved to judge in 1979 and at the present time I can judge Best in Show, the Toy Group, Non Sporting Group, Miscella- neous Classes and Junior Showmanship.
Since 1988 I have judged more than 30 European Shows.
Active Member of the following Dog Clubs: Yorkshire Terrier Club of Greater New York, founding member, past Trea- surer and Board of Director; Yorkshire Ter- rier Club of America, past Treasurer, Judges Education; Naugatuck Valley Kennel Club past Treasurer, present Board of Directors; The Progressive Dog Club of Greater New York, President since 2003.