Adapted from the American Kennel Club it reads as follows: General appearance, that of a long-haired Toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of the body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self-importance. The head is small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, with the bite neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissor bite or level bite is acceptable. The nose is black. Eyes are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color and sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression. Eye rims are dark. Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not too far apart. Body is well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump. The legs and feet, forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when viewed from behind, but stifles are moderately bent when viewed from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed. The tail is docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back. The weight is to seven pounds.
What does standard even mean? It is a kind of "blueprint" for what a Yorkie should look like. The standard was written by a group of Yorkie breeders known collectively as the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and then it was approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The standard ensures that none of the important features that make up the Yorkie will be lost to future generations. A puppy does not have to meet every standard to make a great companion.
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