Black Yorkshire terriers are still a rarity, since these dogs are not specially bred anywhere.
The thing is that, along with the non-standard color, black Yorkies also have some other features that distinguish them from other dogs of this breed.
What kind of variety is this - black Yorkshire terrier?
What makes it notable besides its unusual coloring?
How's the marriage?
Don't be scared by this word. The fact is that now in the canine world everything has turned upside down. What was previously considered marriage is now being affirmed. The marriage becomes a standard, it is given a description and registered with the FCI. The black Yorkshire Terrier was no exception. He was named “Biewer”, and in 2007 the breed standard was approved.
This means that now you can go to exhibitions with such a dog. And get puppies from her. All for the sake of business, to put it bluntly. Selling puppies is a great business. The more fashionable the dog, the more expensive it is. So breeders of all breeds are chasing fashion.
Let's move on to the history of the appearance of the Biewer Yorkie.
What color to choose a puppy
In order not to make a mistake when choosing a Yorkie puppy that meets the standards, first of all, you need to check all the relevant documents:
- certificates from exhibitions, if any;
- complete information about the puppy's pedigree;
- certificates from the veterinary clinic with all vaccinations.
Responsible breeders are required to provide a package with these documents. If they refuse to show them or say that there are no papers, you should think about the integrity of such a seller.
It is recommended to pay attention to the conditions in which puppies grow up:
- It is worth avoiding houses where dogs are kept outside (Yorkies have poor health).
- There must be order in a shelter or nursery.
- Puppies are characterized by playfulness and liveliness, so it is advisable to look at their behavior: they should be active.
Newborn puppies slightly resemble Rottweilers. They are completely black except for small brown spots on the face. Dogs will be dark for up to 2 months, then they will begin to lighten. This is due to hormonal changes.
You can buy a puppy 4-6 months old; usually at this age it is already clear what color the mature dog will acquire. However, it will cost more, and changes can take place up to 2 years of age.
To make sure as much as possible about the future color of the puppy, you need to part the fur on its head and look: if the roots of the hairs turn golden, then, most likely, the dog will take on the correct color.
It is also advisable to pay attention to small details, such as:
- wet black nose (you can use it to determine whether the puppy is healthy);
- shiny eyes, not protruding;
- type of ears (at 3 months they should be standing).
The breeder is obliged to show how to properly trim dogs and how to care for them.
The pet is also examined for the following abnormalities:
- overly curved body;
- incorrect position of the ears;
- short or elongated muzzle;
- malocclusion, jaw problems;
- the tail is below the level of the back;
- light hairs in dark areas and vice versa;
- cryptorchidism.
And of course, it is worth examining your pet for standard deficiencies, such as deafness or blindness, or breathing problems.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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Vaccinated terriers with good pedigree cannot be cheap.
How did it all start?
As often happens: once upon a time there were breeders. They bred ordinary Yorkshire terriers. And then a strange litter was born. It was different in color from its parents. Black and white puppies were born 30 years ago to breeders from the UK. The bitch gave birth to puppies of a strange color. More precisely, initially they were normal. And when they moulted, that’s when everything became clear.
What should breeders do? Normally, such puppies are defective and must be destroyed. The English couple decided otherwise. The puppies quickly found owners. And the breeders kept the male and female for themselves. When they grew up, they were tied to each other. From such closely related inbreeding the Biewer Yorkies came about.
How are they different from regular Yorkies?
The black Yorkshire Terrier differs from the standard in appearance. Let us remember that Biewer is a consequence of a genetic mutation. She played a cruel joke with the color of the dogs. Biewer Yorkies were originally black and white thirty years ago. Perhaps due to close inbreeding, the color went even further. Golden, white and black dogs began to appear.
Let's move on to the description of the black Yorkshire Terrier breed.
- The dog's height reaches 22 centimeters. Weight ranges from 2 to 3 kilograms.
- The animals have long, dense hair.
- The muzzle is narrow, the eyes are deep-set, dark brown in color.
- The nose is black.
- Lips are dry, tightly compressed.
- Jaws are weak.
- The body is straight.
- Paws are medium, straight.
- The tail is of medium length.
The breed standard is not very different from the description of an ordinary Yorkshire terrier.
Character
The black Yorkshire terrier has a special character. At first glance, it may seem that this dog is a toy. No matter how it is: Yorkies, despite their size, are very interesting creatures.
A stubborn, loyal and intelligent dog is how their owners characterize “Biewers”. Pets are well trained. Just before that you will have to try to win their trust.
Friendly towards people. But familiarity is not tolerated. They can put it in place using their teeth. It very rarely comes to the latter. You need to irritate the dog to such an extent that it begins to resist.
They have a ringing voice. Many Biewer Terriers and classic Yorkies react nervously to the slightest rustle from the outside. That is, if they hear noise on the landing, they burst into loud barks.
They get along well with other animals. They are patient with children if they do not impose themselves too much on the pet. Detailed research on their part will not be tolerated. First they will warn you by growling, and then they will bite. Therefore, it is not recommended for people with very small children to own a Yorkshire Terrier.
Who are Yorkshire Terriers suitable for and how to determine the character of the future pet
Dogs of this breed are more suitable for families with children, as Yorkies are active, playful and love attention.
Character Test
If you want to buy such a pet, but there are concerns about its hyperactivity, you can choose a baby with a calmer character:
You can determine this when meeting the breeder and the future pet:
- pet the dog, pick it up, and then place it next to it. Gradually moving away from the animal, observe its reaction;
- if he trotts along happily behind you, he is an active, balanced dog, but only on the condition that, out of an excess of feelings, he does not attack and bite your legs.
Make sure your puppy doesn't start behaving aggressively.
Such behavior indicates aggressive tendencies that may not go away with age;
- if he walks slowly, he may be shy and unsure, but if he runs away with his tail between his legs, he will most likely grow up to be a coward.
You can do it differently: put the baby down, move a couple of steps away from him, squat down and lightly clap your hands. An aggressive guy will try to bite, and a calm guy will run up and start sniffing his hands. The shy one will be interested, but will not come close, and the coward will remain in place or run away.
Yorkie puppies
There is another test: you need to carefully turn the dog on its back and look at the reaction. hold it in this position for up to half a minute:
- an aggressive puppy will perceive this as violence, begin to bite and try to escape;
- the calm one will begin to resist, but realizing that this is a safe game, he will lie down and wait to see what happens next;
- the shy one will submit immediately and will not kick;
- the little coward will shrink into a ball.
An aggressive dog is not very suitable as a friend, especially when there are children in the family. He is unlikely to become tame, and may show temper every time he tries to be picked up. Such a toddler is usually impatient and difficult to control - he is used to quickly getting his way, so he will often bark and bite.
Maintenance and care
Before we get to that point, let's talk about the Mini Yorkshire Terrier (black). Keep in mind that this color does not exist among the “minis”. The only thing that distinguishes them from ordinary representatives of the breed is their size. In addition, Mini Yorkies are not declared as a separate breed.
Let's return to the content. What is required for our black "Yorik"?
- Combing. It should be regular, the pet's hair is long. She needs special care. Ideally, the Black Yorkshire Terrier is brushed daily.
- Checking teeth, ears and eyes. The ears are wiped with a cotton pad soaked in a special lotion for cleaning them. If this is not the case, you can use a chamomile solution. Or regular warm water. Daily ear cleaning is not required. It is carried out only when the pet is heavily soiled.
- Eyes are wiped daily. Remove various secretions.
- There should be no plaque or tartar on the teeth. This can be prevented by cleaning them. Yorkies have their teeth brushed regularly with a special toothpaste designed for dogs. As a preventive measure, they give a bone against tartar. Apples serve as an assistant for brushing teeth. Give your pet these fruits at least once a week.
- Does a Black Yorkshire Terrier need bathing? The question is ambiguous. After walking in dirty weather, he needs to wash his paws and belly. You should not bathe just like that; refrain from this procedure unless necessary. And one more thing: in cold weather the dog is not washed. He is prone to colds.
- In winter, the pet is walked in clothes. A special overall will reliably protect him from the cold.
- An adult dog is fed twice a day - morning and evening. Good, high-quality food is used as the main diet. These can be super-premium or holistic brands.
Small or grown up
Breeders and sellers of Yorkshire terriers offer both babies (1.5 - 2 months) and older dogs. As a rule, most people prefer to take a small puppy into their home, however, the cubs of this breed have their own characteristics.
A baby Yorkie can be compared to a small child who has just mastered the technique of walking. This creature constantly demands attention, its energy seems limitless, and its behavior is uncontrollable. Raising a puppy cannot be left to chance. He can bite, bark constantly, and chew things. In addition, the baby needs four meals a day, which means he needs to be walked quite often.
However, there are also benefits associated with keeping your pet young. The kids are unusually cute and charming, easy to train and get used to their owners. By paying due attention to raising a dog, you can get an obedient, devoted pet that brings joy and positive emotions.
For those who are not sure that they can withstand all the troubles associated with early age, the best choice would be a 6-7 month old Yorkie. During this period, you can already see the character and temperament of the dog, evaluate its final size and color. In addition, by this time the bite has been completely formed and teeth have changed. As a rule, the puppy already knows some commands and is accustomed to the litter box and walks.
Advice. It happens that adult Yorkies are also sold. In this case, it is important to find out the reason for the sale. This may be due to both the birth of a child, a change in living conditions, and the unfavorable nature of the pet.
Diseases
The Black Yorkshire Terrier (photo in the article) is a sickly dog. And not only him, any Yorkie is prone to illness.
- Colds come first. Very susceptible to cold. If the dog blows, the owner should prepare for the consequences. The minimum is a cough, the maximum is inflammation of the middle ear.
- Retinal detachment is one of the most common eye conditions in Yorkies. This also includes its abnormal development or dysplasia.
- Two rows of teeth. This happens not only to people. Small Yorkshire Terriers often show off their baby and permanent teeth. If this happens, you will have to contact a veterinarian. Surgery will be required.
- Dislocation of the kneecap. This is a classic, because the Yorkie's skeleton is too fragile. Their musculoskeletal system is susceptible to all kinds of damage.
- Separation of the femoral head.
- Yorkies are very prone to fractures.
- Tracheal collapse. Perhaps the most terrible disease of all listed. Unfortunately, all small breeds are susceptible to it. The cartilaginous half-rings of their pharynx are too poorly developed. The result is a sharp spasm of the pharynx. The animal cannot breathe in or out.
These are external diseases. And there is also an internal set, of which the most harmless is problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Interesting to know
Did you know that Yorkshire Terrier puppies are born completely black? And we are not talking about a Biewer, but about a standard Yorkie. Small golden markings are acceptable, nothing more.
As the dog ages, the color of the dog changes. Let’s say, molting begins, during which the babies “renew” their children’s coloring. Shedding can begin at 6 weeks of age. Or maybe at six months of age.
It also happens that a puppy does not shed. Remains dark or black. Among standard Yorkies, such a representative of the breed is considered defective. He does not participate in exhibitions. No one will allow such a dog to be bred.
Therefore, if you find an advertisement in the depths of the Internet for the sale of a standard black Yorkshire terrier, this is a hoax. Unscrupulous people want easy money. So they are looking for naive people who are new to the Yorkshire terrier breed standard and their colors.
What explains the difference in price for puppies of the same age and breed?
Yorkshire Terriers, like other dogs, are classified into three groups, each of which has its own characteristics.
Table 1. Classification of dogs according to breed standards and application.
Name | Signs | Application |
Show class | A puppy from champion sires with ideal breed characteristics regarding:
| Participation in exhibitions, breeding, with the opportunity to sell offspring at the highest possible price. |
Breed-class | A dog from producers whose breed is confirmed by documents. The animal's parameters correspond to the standard, but are not as outstanding as those of the show class representatives. A prerequisite is the absence of disqualifying signs | For participation in exhibitions (without prospects for high results), breeding work. These puppies are sold at an average price. |
Pet class | These animals do not have exhibition or breeding prospects due to minor health problems or the presence of disqualifying characteristics (non-ideal body proportions, head shape, ear size and other anatomical defects, non-standard color). | This is a pet dog that can be bought for little money. The absence of the need for a show career significantly reduces the cost of its maintenance, since there is no need to pay for participation in exhibitions. At the same time, from the point of view of an ordinary person, the dog is quite beautiful and has a set of breed characteristics. And yet such people are not allowed to do breeding work. “Defective” dogs are sold without documents. |
Adult show class dog
Where can I buy? Price issue
A professional kennel that specializes in breeding Biewer Yorkies is your assistant. Only there you can buy a good puppy and be sure that you will not be deceived. The owner receives a puppy card, which over time changes to a pedigree.
In addition, breeders encourage potential owners to meet the puppies' parents. You can see the baby’s mother and father with your own eyes and get acquainted with their pedigrees.
How much does a black Yorkshire terrier (Biewer) cost? From 50,000 rubles at least. And the maximum price reaches 200,000 rubles.
Origin story
The breed was bred at the end of the 19th century to fight the huge hordes of rats that lived in the coal mines of the county of the same name in Britain. Small pets could fight rodents for a long time and win. Workers had to carry mini-dogs under their clothes, since by law it was forbidden to bring animals with them into the mine.
Working qualities became secondary when the ladies of high society began to pay attention to the cute dogs. Almost instantly, the pets migrated to the boudoirs of socialites of that time. It was then that dogs stopped being cut short and their fur began to be cared for, and breeding Yorkies became a profitable business.