Yorkshire Terrier Colours – Complete Guide to Yorkie Coat Colors
A Yorkshire Terriers coat is of prime importance for this breed, specifically the Yorkshire terrier colours. Many owners and prospective buyers are surprised to learn that Yorkies change colour as they grow, and that the standard adult colouring is very different from what they see in a puppy.
Standard AKC Yorkshire Terrier Colours
A yorkie that does not have a metallic steel blue coat that lies flat on either side of its body is not recognized by the AKC breed standard. The official AKC standard recognises four colour combinations:
- Black and Tan — The typical puppy colouring. Puppies are born with a black coat with rich tan markings on the muzzle, above the eyes, on the legs, and under the tail.
- Black and Gold — As the puppy coat transitions, the tan markings may lighten to a richer gold shade.
- Blue and Tan — The adult colouring for many Yorkies. The black coat gradually lightens to a steel blue or silver-blue shade.
- Blue and Gold — The fully mature adult colour. A steel blue body coat with rich golden tan points on the head, legs, and tail.
Blue Yorkshire Terriers
Blue Yorkshire terriers is a term sometimes used to refer to the standard colouring of a Yorkshire Terrier. While yorkies are born with black and tan colouring, the black portion of their coat should eventually become a steel blue colour, hence the term blue Yorkshire terriers. The “blue” is actually a cool-toned steel grey rather than a true blue, but the term has been used for over a century.
Other terms for Yorkshire terrier colours are blue and gold Yorkshire terriers or blue and tan for adult yorkies, and black and gold or black and tan for young pups.
When Do Yorkies Change Colour?
The colour change typically begins around 3-6 months of age and can continue until the dog is 2-3 years old. The process is gradual — the black puppy coat lightens from the belly upward, with the head and back being the last areas to change. Not all Yorkies achieve the full steel blue colour; some retain a darker charcoal shade into adulthood.
An adult Yorkshire terrier must have well-defined tan markings on either side of the head and ear roots, on the muzzle, down the neck, on all four paws and under the tail. All traces of the black and sooty puppy hairs must be completely outgrown. Any intermingling of dark hair will spoil the rich, golden tan colouring that is specific in the breed standard.
Non-Standard Yorkie Colours
While the AKC standard only recognises blue and gold/tan, there are other colour variations that occur:
- Parti-Colour Yorkies — White combined with black and tan. Rare and not accepted in the show ring but popular as pets.
- Chocolate Yorkies — A liver/chocolate brown coat with tan points. Caused by a recessive gene.
- Red-Legged Yorkies — Deeper reddish-gold markings rather than the standard tan.
- Biewer Terrier — A separate breed derived from Yorkies, with a tri-colour coat of white, blue, and tan. Recognised by the AKC as a distinct breed since 2021.
Does Coat Colour Affect Health?
Generally, no. However, some breeders have noted that chocolate Yorkies may be more prone to skin issues and colour-linked alopecia. Always choose a reputable breeder regardless of colour preference.
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