Difference Between Dark Steel and Silver Blue
 

I feel ignorant for not knowing, but what is the difference between a "dark, steel blue" and a "silver blue" coat?

The AKC Standard states that:
Blue: Is a dark steel-blue, not a silver-blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs.

I am just not sure what either looks like.

If someone would be able to post pictures of each, or guide me to a website showing the differences, it would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thank you. :)

The blue is relative in the eyes of the beholder. It's difficult to explain. I suggest that you contact an experienced show breeder that is very familiar with the standard.

I'd also suggest that you subscribe to the Yorkshire Terrier Magazine.

This is my idea of dark steel gunmetal blue, I hope this helpsAttachment 143502

What a beautiful Yorkie.

Thank you , he was bred by Peggy Nygard and he is Cute Cute Cute!!!!

And here is a picture of a more silver blue, but her color was still excepted as she finished in just 7 shows with 5 Best of Breeds. I think the bitches tend to lighten faster that the males.

But then it all depends on who is looking , One of my best friends and handler told me that this girls color is how he thinks the color should be and another breeder friend of mine thinks she is to light. So it is left up to the judge to decide what color he or she thinks is dark blue.

Yorkies are a hard breed to get right and then when you think you do, you can never be sure every one else thinks the same......
Attachment 143503

Deb,

You are absolutely correct bitches do lighten faster than males...and with each Season.

Some are too light, but if you have a great structured dog I would throw out the cake because the frosting didn't turn out exactly the right color. It is all in the eye of the beholder.

That is so true I hate the color thing and trying to get it just right , to me every thing is so much more important than a shade of blue. Some can breed it and some can color to the right shade. I say show them the way they are and hope the judge finds the best dog.

My charmer is the correct dark steel blue silk and you don't know how many judges told me he was too dark.

The problem is no one knows what the correct color is, every ones idea is different. But when you look at the color of gun metal you get a better idea

I think.....

I would like to see a picture of your Charmer and his color, please

I just sent you a PM

I would love to see a picture of Charmer also.
Mary - do you have a website?
Kim

Sorry Kim, I don't have a website...I'm just a bit old fashioned.

Mary

Mary - Stormy is still tangle FREE!!!
I am still using the Almond Oil on her - she is 5 1/2 months old now.
every time i try not to use it after her bath - she has tangles at next bath.
Thanks, Kim

It should be there....let me know.

Mary

thank you, everyone. you were all really helpful. :)

Glad it's working out for you. Charmer is in my Avitar.

Such a Handsome Yorkie!!!

Mary,
Can I see the picture too? I've only seen the little one on your business card.

Thanks :)

Beautiful! :thumbup: I really like them dark like that!

I just sent it to you Misty

I got it! The smaller picture just doesn't do him justice! :) He is so pretty! (and yes boys can be pretty! :p ) I do really love the look of them darker like that!

Chloe and I really have coat envy right now!!

What if they are spayed? Do they still lighten with every season?

Crystal in my Avatar picture is not the correct color any longer but when she got her championship 11 1/2 yrs ago she was the dark steel blue that the standard calls for today.

Not only does each season lighten a bitch, a litter of pups will do the same.

Since I didn't own my digital camera until a little over a year ago I don't have the earlier pictures but I have one in my collection of pictures I felt was a perfect color to judge your dogs from along with the ones posted above. I do not know whose dog it is......hope they won't mind.

you know what, Joan. i attended an AKC dog show two weeks ago and nearly every dog in it was the color of your avatar baby. I was so surprised. in fact, I saw only one the color of the dog in your post. I have eight yorkies. Two are color correct, three are light and three, at the moment are dark but changing to the correct color as they age. They are just puppies at ten months old.

Dee, the judges have a very hard time with the yorkie as a whole. Color is important but not nearly as important as other parts of the standard in my opinion. If you have a dog with excellent confirmation and alot going for it , it would be sad to exclude it because of color.
.

What are the points for color ?? I forget.

all those dogs shown are simply gorgeous ....

Regarding color with yorkies it's really in the eye of the beholder and we all will interput differently what we think is a dark steel blue. Some will say a black yorkie is a dark steel blue but in reality it's just that "black". Some will say a medium silver is a correct steel blue but it's just that medium silver. A cotton coat is normally "black" with grey cast what we'd call a clerical grey I know I have two LOL. You will have a yorkie with a black satin coat and it not be cotton but a good yorkie person will know the difference in coat texture and some will just ignore the fact they have the incorrect coat but that aside I believe as some do that structure and movement and how the dog is put together should be of prime importance and then coat then being the icing on the cake because if you don't have a well put together dog the coat and color is just secondary in my opinion. I have 10 yorkies and not one are all the same color. Some are light, some are clerical grey (cotton coat), some are what I'd call a medium blue. Do I want that perfect dark steel blue of course I do so with that said after I get my structurely sound dog I can bring back in color with careful breedings. Last but not least....in the end if you show it's what the judge is gonna do and you just have to live with it and say it's just another day at the dog show LOL and if you just want a pet doesn't matter what color you have as long as it's healthy and loved! That's my Radar as my avator and I'd call him actually a medium blue and not a dark steel blue but I don't mind him being that color because he's structurely sound and a wonderful mover! I'd take him over a correct dark steel blue with no structure or a bad mover any day!
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers