9781422279410

Chapter 2 What Should a Yorkie Look Like? A Yorkshire Terrier in full sail, moving across the show ring with her coat streaming out, is a sight to behold. But there is more to a dog than her coat. The majority of Yorkshire Terri- ers are pet dogs and will never grow a full coat, let alone be exhibited in the show ring. However, it is important that breeders strive for perfection and try to produce dogs who adhere as closely as possible to the breed standard. The top priority is to breed dogs who are both typical of the breed and sound in mind and body. So what should the perfect Yorkie look like? If you speak to most owners of Yorkshire Terriers, they will tell you they have the perfect dog—and of course, they do. Pet owners are not looking for perfection the way it is interpreted in the show dog world; they are looking for the dog who is perfect for what they want.

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