AKC standard?
 

I was reading another thread where it said a Yorkie should not weigh more than 7 pounds and should not stand more than 6 or 7 inches...is that the standard? If so then both of my boys are bigger than the acceptable standard and I just can't imagine them being too big for anything! I went to the aKC website and I did read the weight should not be more than 7 pounds but I didn't find anything regarding height limits.

I'm sure it's at that site somewhere.
Also these are Standards for show, there are yorkies as pets and for breeding.
Totally different weights.

Hi Gracy. I understand there are different sizes for pets, show and breeding. The dimensions I read seem a bit off to me so I thought I'd ask to be sure.

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There is only one standard....it is accepted by AKC AND voted on by the parent club YTCA. Below is the only reference in the standard as to "size" period. I'm sure your boys are not too big.....and even if they are over the 7 pound limit....I can tell you there are some wonderfully POPULAR Yorkshire Terriers of the RECENT past (cira 1980's) that have been over 7 lbs....and are muliple champion "Best in Show" winners. Some judges have perferred "quality over the written standard....since there are no disqualifications written into the standard.

Body
Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.

Weight
Must not exceed seven pounds.
D

Thank you...I just replied to your other response in the poll thread. No, my boys aren't over 7 pounds...they're both 3 pounds. Jo is 8 by 8 and Riley is 9 by 9 for height and length. I questioned the height limit because if it really was 6 or 7 inches then my boys would be considered over the standard for height and I just can't imagine that!

Sorry....respectfully....This is NOT true.....there is only ONE written standard for ALL Yorkshire Terriers......if you are dealing with a Yorkshire Terrier of America and American Kennel Club.....Yorkie.....there is not a standard for show/ pet/ or breeding....they all fall under one written standard....the one posted on AKC's and YTCA's website. All Yorkshire Terrier's should look the SAME or close to the same....all of them.
The standards for other registeries may be different....don't know about that.
D

Well basicly sounds like you have some pretty good examples of the breed....

Body
Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.

When you see the above statement....think square. Visually remove the head/neck and the tail....and you should see a pretty square little fellow. <G>
D

I read an article about the diffence between the British Yorkshire Standards and the American Yorkshire Standards....

They are basically identical - and do not contradict one another.

I don't have the article in front of me now - but they each mentioned one or two points that the other didn't mention -- again, they did not contradict one another...and were basically identical.

Carol Jean

This is TRUE. Futhermore.....until the current AKC standard was voted on by YTCA in 1966.....the Yorkshire Terrier standard was EXACTLY word for word the same as the English Kennel Club in England.....I don't remember the small differences either....and it's too much trouble to look it up. LOL
d

Thanks...yep, that's my boys...a couple of squares!

One main difference I have a problem with between the British standard and the one adopted by the AKC is the deletion of the one sentence the British standard had about temperament.

As a yorkie fancier for companion and service dog attributes, I would prefer the temperament be given more attention in the standard for yorkies as it is in other breeds. I feel temperament is more important than physical or aesthetic traits.

I have thought greatly about developing a companion dog standard since the show dog standard is not really very relevant for those who do not show.

I also do not agree with docking tails which is a requirement according to the AKC and the YTCA. For me, the current breed standard as written is not truly representative of the breed as it exists for the majority of owners and fanciers who do not show their yorkies. There are only 500 or so members of the YTCA and they are an exclusive club and not very welcoming. There are 1000s of yorkie owners who own companion dogs and I feel strongly about the rights of those pet owners when it comes to this breed.

Also, just because your dog does not happen to fall within the guidelines set by the standard does not mean it is not a yorkie.

There are no such thing as a standard for pet , a standard for show or breeding . Many peoples use their pet quality females for breeding just because they want puppies because it is cute to have them .