INSIGHT ON THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER
CAROLYN HENSLEY
CH: Length of leg and neck resulting is a body without substance losing compactness. Too much angulation in rear and too straight in the shoulder. Artificial coloring as a result of short cuts due too. No mastery in breeding as the specificity of coat colors are one of the most diffi- cult to achieve naturally resulting in the breed beginning to lose the correct blue and gold shadings as called for in the standard from the genetic pool. KK: In the past few years, the body coat is getting blacker and blacker. This coat color lacks the silky texture that is cool to the touch and which is the essence of the breed. As breeders we should remember the proper steel blue coat color carries the black gene. However, the reverse is not true. Black coat does not carry the desired steel blue gene. Breeders who ignore this fact could cause the Yorkie of the future to end up as a black and tan Terrier, rather than the dark steel blue and shaded gold Terrier that our standard requires. RO: Although it’s not a trait of the breed, over grooming can give an exaggerated, or unnatural, appearance. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? CH: I believe they are worse. As we are losing many of the old time breeders and exhibitors, the breed does not appear to be attracting a lot of newcomers and real mentors for them. KK: In February of 2016 I judged the Yorkshire Terrier Club of Greater New York Specialty. We had an entry of 136 dogs. I was very impressed with the overall quality of the entry. Top lines have improved greatly. Size and proportions were excellent. Presentation and condition of the coats were outstanding. I did notice one thing which concerned me. Throughout my career, both as a breeder/exhibitor and a judge, we have always had large bitch entries in the Best of Breed class at our Specialties. I have always believed that this was a very good thing. Unhappily, this year the Best of Breed bitch entry was very small. Is this a reflection of the fact that over the past seven to ten years we have seen very few new breeders/exhibitors join our ranks? We must also remember that our dogs may build our fame but using top quality bitches in our breeding programs build our lines. RO: Yes, I believe top lines and color are getting better. 5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? CH: Not expecting soundness as “they are only a Toy”, mis- reading and misinterpretation of the standard as written.
I am from Southern CA. Outside of dogs, I breed, train and exhibit Arabian horses. I’ve been in the dog world for over fifty years, showing for over 45 years and judging for 16 years. KATHLEEN KOLBERT I live in Naugatuck, Connecticut. In the summer time I work in the gardens. Also when time permits, I am an avid reader of James Patterson, Danielle Steel and Sidney Sheldon. I have been in dogs 52 years, showing for 50 years and judg- ing for 37 years. ROBERT OWEN I live in Elizabethtown, KY, and am a retired public school educator. I am currently the President of the Yorkshire Ter- rier Club of America so I spend a lot of my time working on board business. When I am not doing that, I travel with my family, solve Sudoku and crossword puzzles, and generally enjoy retirement! I bought my first Yorkie 47 years ago and began showing her a few months later. Yorkies have been my passion ever since. After finishing quite a few champions and judging numerous matches and sweepstakes, I applied to the AKC to judge in 2009.
1. Describe the breed in three words. CH: Longhaired Toy Terrier. KK: Elegant, vigorous and self-important. RO: Elegant, lively and loving.
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? CH: Sound, balanced, not exaggerated in any manner, specifics in coat color, quality, texture and quantity, able to hold level topline without being hard stacked and moving. KK: An elegant, sound, long-coated Toy Terrier, identified by his straight silky steel blue and clear shaded gold coat, with a beautiful head. RO: I want a level top line, high head carriage and correct movement.
3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated?
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , F EBRUARY 2017 • 249
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