I have two Yorkies, one purchased as a puppy and registered and one rescued with little history. My first Yorkies had very furry ears with extremely long hair unless trimmed. I called my youngest a "Yapillon" because her ears looked much like my Mom's Papillon!
After the death of my older Yorkie, I started volunteering as a foster parent for my local Yorkie Rescue. I eventually adopted a little boy who fell madly in love with my girl; luckily it was mutual. He was the first Yorkie I remember seeing with "skin ears.". His ears actually do have short fine hair and the "condition" is not due to an infection like "leather ears.". Since getting him, I have had several fosters with similar ears.
My question is: Do all pure-breed Yorkies have long hair on their ears or do some have short hair? How likely is it that my boy and my current foster are mixed breeds? I like to give potential adopters as much valid information as possible, but I cannot find a definitive answer.
I can say that in the case of these two skin-ear Yorkies, both have some non-Yorkie characteristics. Their noses at a bit long, their fur is rather rough and does not grow very fast, and their body proportions are different. My boy is 3.75 lbs but is not a teacup. He is very delicately boned and holds his body in a curved way that reminds me of a Chihuahua. My foster is about 8 lbs with very long legs. Neither seems to have that chest-forward stance I see with my registered Yorkie. They all have steel and tan coats, though my foster's doesn't appear tipped in light color.
TIA, Robin