yorkie standards

[MyTrixie143]

I have a question about the coat color and length of a yorkie. How do you know if your yorkie puppy's hair will turn colors to the standard steel gray and tan. I heard all yorkies are born black and tan, and their coat will turn into a different color later, of course I know not all yorkies will have the steel gray and tan, some will always stay black and tan or black and gold. So if this is true, then at what age would their coats change colors if they were going to? Also, how long does it take for a yorkie puppy's hair to grow out real long and silky? Any input to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I have a question about the coat color and length of a yorkie. How do you know if your yorkie puppy's hair will turn colors to the standard steel blue and tan. I heard all yorkies are born black and tan, and their coat will turn into a different color later, of course I know not all yorkies will have the steel blue and tan, some will always stay black and tan or black and gold. So if this is true, then at what age would their coats change colors if they were going to? Also, how long does it take for a yorkie puppy's hair to grow out real long and silky? Any input to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

I have more information to add to my original post on the yorkie's coat color, and length.... My yorkie is 3 months old, he is black and gold, he has alot of gold on his head, however, his whole head is not gold. His hair grows relatively fast and his hair is silky and thin, not real thin, but definately not thick. Another question I had was, according to breed standards, a yorkie's head is all tan. So do puppies get more tan on the head as they get older, or do they have to be born that way?

[troubletb]

Well, I'll try to help answer some questions.
First like you said some will stay black and tan. This is true, but most (in my case anyway) will change and the changes will occur for years. Look at the roots, you can usually tell is there will be a change by the root color. My Petey is black and tan, and he is 8 months old now, he still has more black then I wish he had, but I'm still hoping that it will turn. My Bell and Lilly both born black and tan are now blue and gold. Bell is much lighter then I wish she were but at 3 yrs old she is still changing. When I brush Lilly you can actually see growth line in her hair. black, blue, silver black and so on. its very odd looking. Lilly's hair is very soft on her head and some what wiry on her back. But as she is only 9 months old I know her coat is also still changing.

Also the coat will take years to grow to its full length. I never cut petey's hair and at 8 months old its about 4" from the ground. But he is very small. Lilly'sis slower growing and I doubt her coat will ever be floor lenght. This is my Petey, notice all the black where there should be tan/gold. I'm still hoping that it will change

Hope some of this helped.

[MyTrixie143]

Thanks for the information.First I just want to say that your yorkies are gorgeous! I love getting yorkies as puppies, the only down fall is that you have to wait until they are older to see how they will turn out, looks wise. How long did it take for Bell's and Lilly's coat to change colors? Scampers, my yorkie does have just a little bit of blue on the top of his head. It seems like his head is more gold then when I first got him. Is it possible for his whole head to turn gold since right now he has black with it, or does he have to be born that way? Another words, did Bell have an all tan head when you first got her, or did it get that way as she got older?

[troubletb]

Actually your Trixie, looks just the way Bell looked at 9 weeks when I bought her.
I searched on my computer for a picture of Bell has a baby and this is the only one I could find. Its a terrible picture but shows how dark Bell was as a baby.

[Olivier]

Give the puppy a chance . Most puppies will start changing when time comes .

[goldenray]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I have a question about the coat color and length of a yorkie. How do you know if your yorkie puppy's hair will turn colors to the standard steel gray and tan. I heard all yorkies are born black and tan, and their coat will turn into a different color later, of course I know not all yorkies will have the steel gray and tan, some will always stay black and tan or black and gold. So if this is true, then at what age would their coats change colors if they were going to? Also, how long does it take for a yorkie puppy's hair to grow out real long and silky? Any input to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Yorkies can start breaking blue anywhere up to about a year. I'd say the majority between 3-6 months. Looking at the pictures you posted I'd say she will break blue. The whole head should turn gold, and once again looking at her pictures I will venture to say she will. As for floor length coat, you usually have that by 2 years of age. Sometimes sooner, part of that depends how big the dog is. A really short legged one doesn't have very far to grow to the ground. Good luck.

[Patti]

Originally Posted by troubletb

Well, I'll try to help answer some questions.
First like you said some will stay black and tan. This is true, but most (in my case anyway) will change and the changes will occur for years. Look at the roots, you can usually tell is there will be a change by the root color. My Petey is black and tan, and he is 8 months old now, he still has more black then I wish he had, but I'm still hoping that it will turn. My Bell and Lilly both born black and tan are now blue and gold. Bell is much lighter then I wish she were but at 3 yrs old she is still changing. When I brush Lilly you can actually see growth line in her hair. black, blue, silver black and so on. its very odd looking. Lilly's hair is very soft on her head and some what wiry on her back. But as she is only 9 months old I know her coat is also still changing.

Also the coat will take years to grow to its full length. I never cut petey's hair and at 8 months old its about 4" from the ground. But he is very small. Lilly'sis slower growing and I doubt her coat will ever be floor lenght. This is my Petey, notice all the black where there should be tan/gold. I'm still hoping that it will change

Hope some of this helped.

Petey looks a lot like my Cali. Her coloring is almost Identical and she is 10 months old.

[MyTrixie143]

Thank you all for your comments and opinions. Over the past two weeks I have noticed that the blue on his head starting increasing and is creeping down his neck. His hair grows relatively fast and I already have to put it in a topknot in order to see his face. It will be interesting to see how he turns out!