Lovely and Funny Pets: 2007

Friday, April 27, 2007

Feeding Tips fod Dogs

Some basic tips for feeding your lovely and funny dog :)

Feed your dog at the same time every day.
Always have fresh water available.
Keep food and water bowls clean.
Regular visits help keep your dog happy and healthy

Cheers

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Dogo Argentino Information and Common Questions

The Dogo Argentino, also known as the Argentinean mastiff or Argentine Dogo, is the result of a dream. Two brothers were determined to develop a sociable, yet intimidating hunter, capable of hunting cougars and wild boar. After some trial and error, the brother's dream was realized and the Dogo Argentino was born.
Is a large, white, game-bred, muscular dog that was developed in Argentina for big game hunting.

What is the Dogo Argentino breed origin?
In the 1920s in Argentina, Antonio Nores Martinez started breeding a dog intended to not only be a pet and family guardian, but also a hunting dog capable of taking on big game such as wild boar and cougars.
Martinez picked the Cordoba Fighting Dog to be the base for the breed. The breed is extinct today but was described as a large and ferocious dog that was both a great hunter and fighter.
With the Cordoba Fighting Dog as the base, he then crossed in Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux.
Martinez kept improving the breed via selective breeding to introduce the traits that were desired. The first standard for the breed was written in 1928
Finally, after 50 years of hard work, the brothers' Martinez had developed a magnificent breed with a talent for hunting, tracking and a watchful guard dog. In 1985, the Dogo finally reached the United States.

How is the Dogo appearance and size?
HEAD: Massive, convex front to back, and transverse through the relief of the masticating muscles and the nape.

FOREFACE: The same length as the head. The line joining the two orbital projections of the forehead is at an equal distance from the occiput and the teethridge of the upper jaw.

EYES: Dark or light brown in color, eyelid rims should be black or clear; eyes set well apart. A lively, intelligent look but with a marked firmness.(Clear eyes, or red eyelids, subtract points. Unequal ness of color-bluish-grey eyes is a basis for Disqualification.)

EARS : High and laterally inserted, set well apart due to the width of the skull. Functionally, they should be cropped and erect, in triangular shape and with a length which does not exceed 50% of the front edge of the auricle of the natural ear. Without being cropped, they are of mid-length, broad, thick, flat and rounded at the tip. Covered with smooth hair which is a bit shorter than on the rest of the body; they may show small spots, not to be penalized. In natural position they hang down covering the back of the cheeks. When the dog is alert they may be half-erect.

WEIGHT: 80 - 100lbs
HEIGHT: 23.5 - 27.5 inches

(Dogs, measured at the shoulder should measure no less than 24.5 inches and no more than 27.5 inches. Bitches, measured at the shoulder, should measure no less than 23.5 inches and no more than 26 inches.. Dogs and Bitches below minimum height are disqualified. Dogs and Bitches measuring more than maximum height are faulted. Since the Dogo is a hunting dog which fights it’s prey directly, among the big hunting breeds, small size loses efficiency. All adult Dogo, whether male or female, of less that the lowest allowable size, should be disqualified. Among several good dogs, the one of greatest height is preferred. The creator of the breed has established that there should exist a harmony of proportion or normal organic correlation that for a functional point of view, translates into a greater capacity to fight its prey. Therefore, one should look for the animal of greatest size and weight.)

COAT: Completely white. Any spot of color should be disqualified as an atavistic characteristic. The small spots on the head are not cause for disqualification, but among two similar animals, the completely white one is preferable. In contrast, any spot on the body is cause for disqualification.

Temperament
Dogos are known for being extremely loyal and affectionate with their families and crave attention from their owners. They are excessively tolerant of children due to their high pain tolerance, derived from selective breeding to be a big game hunter. They are protective of what they perceive as their territory and will guard it without fear against any intruder. They get along with other dogs as long as they have been properly socialized, but will usually not tolerate another dog trying to assert dominance over them and might not coexist peacefully with another dominant breed of dog. However, dog aggression is not desirable in the Dogo Argentino breed, as it is at odds with their intended purpose as a pack hunter.
Dogo Argentinos are accomplished hunters, and are widely used today and in a variety of ways from tracking, Search and Rescue, Schutzhund training, general police work including narcotics detection, military, to family dog. They are even occasionally used as a guide dog.

Special Concerns
The Dogo Argentino was bred specifically to avoid the dog aggression problems inherent in the Cordoba Fighting Dog when applied to hunting, specifically its lack of ability to hunt in a pack. The creators of the breed intended that great care be taken to prevent this undesirable trait from manifesting in the Dogo Argentino, as the breed was always intended to be a pack hunter.
Dogos can develop an aggressive or dominant temperament if not socialized with other dogs at an early age, particularly with other dogs of the same sex, but can be trained by an experienced handler.

Special Care
The Dogo Argentino has a soft, sleek white coat that makes them more sensitive to the sun. They sunburn easily and should be kept out of the sun for extended periods. They also need regular exercise to maintain the muscle structure of the breed.

Health Concerns
Gastric torsion (bloat) is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.
Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.
In addition, the Dogo is also prone to deafness.
The life expectancy of the Dogo Argentino is between 10 and 11 years.

Famous Dogos
Bombon (film) Carlos Sorín's 2005 movie starring a Dogo

Dogo Argentino Photo Gallery

Dogo Argentino - Video

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Abyssinian Cat Breed

The Abyssinian is a natural breed of domesticated cat believed to originate from one Egyptian female kitten called Zula that was taken from a port in Alexandria, Egypt, by a British soldier and brought to England

What is the Abyssinian breed origin?
The Abyssinian cat is said to be descended from a cat called Zula, brought to England by Captain Barrett Leonard when he returned from service in the Abyssinian wars in the 1860's. Apparently, he brought two cats, but Zula was the sole survivor. Needless to say, there is no verifiable record of Abyssinian cats directly descended from Zula, but Abyssinians were certainly exhibited at Crystal Palace in 1871, so that this breed may claim to be one of the original pedigree cats. Certainly every Abyssinian in the world is descended from cats bred in the United Kingdom. There are no records of the names or owners of the Abyssinians exhibited at Crystal Palace in 1871, to the best of my knowledge, and certainly no indication of their pedigrees. Nor is the Abyssinian the only ticked cat European history records. The so-called British ticked tabby, or "bunny cat", a cobby creature with ticked coat, short legs and thickish tail, might well be behind Abyssinians such as Ras Imru, judging by photographs. The agouti coat pattern is dominant, which explains its survival. Indeed many tabby cats have distinct ticking in addition to their stripes, spots and bars.

The origins of the domestic cat, whether pedigree or not, are shrouded in mystery, but it is beyond dispute that the Egyptians venerated the cat, forbade its export from Egypt and established temples to its worship, notably at Bubastis. Egyptian cats were mummified in their thousands. Grotesquely, many were shipped to Liverpool in the 19th century by plunderers of Egyptian sites - to be used as fertiliser! The Abyssinian Cat Club has one of these mummified cats as its mascot. The cat's status in Egypt derived from its ability to protect the stores of grain harvested in the Nile Valley. The Egytians also used cats in hunting, as various murals attest. Analysis of cat remains at Egyptian sacred sites indicated two main types: the African Golden Cat and Felis Chaus. So if you think the Usual Abyssinian bears more than a passing resemblance to Egyptian statues or murals, you may well be right. The late Alannah Coleman, internationally known art critic and judge of Abyssinians, certainly was convinced that Abyssinians had an Egyptian provenance.

How is the Abyssinian appearance and size?
Abyssinians are a special type of tabby cat; they are distinguished from all other tabbies by their beautiful ticked, resilient coats. All tabbies, in fact, have this ticked or agouti background in their coats (whereby each individual hair shaft is banded with different colors); however, superimposed on this ticked background is a particular dark pattern such as mackerel, spotted, or blotched. Through more than 85 years of selective breeding, these dark patterns have been nearly eliminated from the Abyssinian breed, and this is what makes them so unique. Although other tabbies are bred in different colors, Abyssinians are bred and recognized for championship by CFA only in the ruddy and red varieties, and more recently the color blue was recognized in 1984 and fawn in 1989).
Adult Abyssinians don't reach their full potential in coloring or ticking until they around a year and a half old. A kitten who looks pale and washed out when its first baby coat comes in after birth could become a vibrantly colored beauty when its color reaches its maturity.

Ruddy, Tawny or Usual
There are four most common colors of Abyssinians are: Ruddy, Red, Blue and Cream.

The Ruddy Abyssinians, (our little guys and gals), are a soft, rich coat of ruddy brown. Each hair is ticked with shades of brown or black with a vibrant burnt orange color closest to the skin. The insides of the legs and the underbelly are of the same burnt orange color, unmarked; the more vibrant the color, the better. They may have no stripes, lines or barring, and no white marks anywhere on the body. The legs should be of a clear color without barring. Eyes are generally rich golden, but hazel or green are also acceptable. Like all cats, kittens eyes are blue at birth and start changing at a few months of age. It is theorized that the longer it take the eyes to chage to their full color, the richer in color they will be. The nose is tile red, and the paw pads are brown or black. It is not unusual for an aby to have a black line down the centre of the back which extends up to the tip of the tail. The tail itself is long, wide at the base, and then tapered to the tip. Large, expressive ears are tipped with black. Abys are very alert, active and nothing in their domain gets past their notice or curiosity.
The impression an aby gives is that of a small cougar, lithe yet muscular and strong with exceptional balance.

Coat
Warm brown ticked with black. Base colour deep orange. Stomach and inside of legs deep orange to deep apricot to harmonise with the base colour. Any shading along the spine should be of a matching shade. Tip of tail and soles of hind feet are black.

Nose Leather
Brick red, outlined with black.

Paw Pads
Black.

Eyes
Amber, green or yellow; pure, intense colour.

Comments
Withhold challenge for white locket, white extending onto the neck or above the nostrils, unbroken necklace, grey or light undercoat, lack of ticking, bars on the fore legs, marks on the stomach, Siamese type, round head, whip tail.
FaultsGhost marking on legs, stomach and chest; too much marking on face; absence of outline around eyes; small or pointed ears; round eyes; unclear eye colour; cobby appearance; too deep a nose break.

Sorrel, Cinnamon or Red
A dilution of the ruddy, being a warm sorrel red ticked with chocolate brown. Tail tipped with chocolate brown. Preference given to deeper shades of sorrel and good even ticking. Paw pads: Pink with chocolate brown between toes, extending slightly beyond paws. Eye color: Gold, copper, green or hazel, the more richness and depth of color the better. Nose leather: Rosy pink.
Coat
Copper red with chocolate red-brown ticking. Base colour deep apricot. Stomach and inside of legs deep apricot to harmonise with the base colour. Any shading along the spine should be of a matching shade. Tip of tail and soles of hind feet are red-brown.

Nose Leather
Pink, outlined with brick red.

Paw Pads
Pink.

Eyes
Same as Ruddy

Comments
Same as Ruddy

Blue
A warm soft blue-gray ticked with deeper blue. Base hair and undersides of the body, chest, and inside of the legs to be a pale cream color. Spine shading to be a darker shade of body color. Tail tipped with a deep shade of blue. Preference to be given to good even ticking. Paw pads: Blue-mauve with a deep shade of blue between the toes extending slightly beyond paws. Eye color: Gold, copper, green or hazel, the more richness and depth of color the better. Nose leather: Dark pink.
Coat
Description as for Ruddy Abyssinian but body colour is a warm blue-grey ticked with dark steel blue-grey. Base colour pale cream or beige.

Nose Leather
Blue-grey or brick red outlined with blue-grey.

Paw Pads
Blue-grey.

Eyes
Same as Ruddy

Comments
Same as Ruddy

Fawn
A warm pinkish buff with powdered effect ticked with a deeper shade of pinkish buff. Base hair, undersides of the body, chest and inside legs to be a pale oatmeal. Spine shading to be a darker shade of body color. Tail tipped with a deep shade of pinkish buff. Preference to be given to good even ticking. Paw pads: Pink-mauve with a deep pinkish buff between the toes extending slightly beyond paws. Eye color: Gold, copper, green or hazel, the more richness and depth of color the better. Nose leather: Pink-mauve.

Coat
Description as for Ruddy Abyssinian but body colour is dull beige ticked with deep warm cream. Base colour pale cream.

Nose
Leather Pink, or pink outlined with old rose.

Paw Pads
Pink.

Eyes
Same as Ruddy

Comments
Same as Ruddy

Personality
Abyssinians are very active, friendly, curious and playful, but are usually not "lap cats", being too preoccupied with exploring and playing. They are "busy" cats, and can get bored and depressed without daily activity and attention. Many Abyssinians enjoy heights, and will explore their surroundings in three dimensions, from the floor to their owner's shoulders to the top of the highest furniture. They are highly intelligent, and probably the most independent of any domestic breed. There is a long haired version of the Abyssinian, called the Somali

What are the Abyssinian common disorders?
Abyssinians are generally healthy but are prone to gingivitis. If not treated, the more serious periodontitis can develop, causing tissue, bone and tooth loss. Untreated, dental disease can undermine the cat's overall health. With routine tooth brushing, regular checkups, and periodic professional teeth cleaning, the problem can be minimized. Amyloidosis, a disease thought to be hereditary that affects the kidneys, and PK deficiency, which causes anemia, have been found in some Aby lines

Other
A study of early photographs reveals the persistence of the characteristic gently rounded Abyssinian head, with wide-set, large, tufted and listening ears. The ears extend the lines of the moderate wedge. Eyes are a rounded almond shape, in an oriental setting. The hair around the eyes is pale and the eyelid edge darker. The Aby has slight nose-break, rounded muzzle with a slight indentation and a firm chin. Most characteristic of all are the markings, in the ticking colour, which extend from the inner edge of the eye to the top of the head and from the outer edge of the eye to the ears. The "Aby look", wild but not savage, centres on the large expressive eyes, whose glance is intelligent, mischievous, demanding and yet affectionate and sensitive. Body shape and coat, however, have varied widely. Some early cats such as Ras Imru, mentioned above, were heavy and cobby with a long, course coat, not at all like the lithe, medium sized, muscular cats of foreign type specified today. Others, particularly in the 1950's tend to the oriental in shape and quite a few have completely straight profiles. Certainly two Siamese appear in the back lines of every modern Abyssinian: Miss Melodious Venture and Dreamland Peter, and these are unlikely to have been the only outcrosses used to improve the vigour of a numerically small breed. Then there are the "white Abyssinians", almost certainly Siamese variants! The Aby coat is distinctly ticked, with three or four bands of colour, ending in the ticking colour. A clear undercoat is desirable, but grey roots (in Usual Abyssinians only), a common feature of agouti coats, persist. They are a serious fault if found all over. Today's cats usually have the find short coats specified by the current Standard. However, some modern Aby coats are arguably too short and soft, which probably reflects outcrosses to Siamese and Burmese at various times. The older-style coat is preferred by some, including myself; fine and nearly double, resilient and close lying and with just a hint of crispness, like polished rice, on the surface.

Abyssinian Photo Gallery

Abyssinian Cat - Videos

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Small Dog Breeds for Families that Lives in Small Apartments

If you live in a small home or apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have a dog. There are many small dogs breeds that make excellent job as pets for small homes.

Small dogs make ideal pets for apartment dwellers and those with smaller living spaces. Small dogs are also a lot easier and cheaper to look after and care for. There is less shedding, less mess, and the cost of caring for them is less.

But be carefull small dogs like exercise, it is important that you spend time with your small dog, take her for walks and ensure that she gets the best care.

Now that you and your family know yours responsabilities with a small dog. You can make your choose about the breed.

The choice will be difficult, small dog breeds make the cutest puppies.

Australian Terrier. Native to Australia, this little dog is one of the smallest working terriers. A good watchdog, this dog is smart and tough.

Bichon Frise. The bichon frise is not only a great lapdog, but the curly-coated white breed is recommended for people with allergies. The bichon frise loves attention and is very affectionate.

Skye Terriers. Skye Terriers are dogs of strong character and undying loyalty, showing unmatched devotion to their owners.

Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu are well suited as a companion dog. They are loving, playful and devoted to their owners. They are good family dogs, as they truly love people.

Dachshunds. Lively, and friendly, Dachshunds make good family dogs. They do best with older children. They make good watchdogs, barking when a stranger comes to the door.

Please feel free to suggest another breeds for small apartments.

Cheers!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Dog Clothes

Yes dog clothes. Let's face it. Dressing up our dogs is a guilty pleasure. And as long as it's done in good humor, and not to provoke, hurt, or embarrass someone (especially the dog), it's harmless fun. Some dog clothes can actually benefit our pets, keeping them warmer in winter, and cooler in the summer.
So you want to buy dog clothes for your beloved Fifi, but don't know exactly where to start. Whether you are looking to keep your small dog warm during the cold months or simply dressed in the latest designs, it is important to buy high quality clothes that will fit your dog and are comfortable at the same time.

Washable Dog Clothes
No matter what you buy for your furry friend, the clothes must be washable. Remember, you are buying clothes for your dog. No matter how much you love him, he will get dirty and stinky. Unless you want him to wear each outfit only once, you will want to wash his clothes.

Be sure to buy items that can be washed without shrinking. Polyester is one fabric that stands up to multiple washings. Read the tags provided on the clothes before making a purchase. The fabric content and washing instructions should be on the tag. If this information is not provided, you will be better off buying something else.

The Cost of Dog Clothes
High-quality dog clothing is expensive. If you can sew, you can save quite a bit of money by making Fifi's clothes yourself. Patterns for dog clothing are abundant in fabric stores and on the Internet. You may also be able to create your own patterns, if you are handy enough.

Keep Closure Devices Simple
Look for materials like Velcro instead of buttons and snaps. This self-sticking fabric will let you adjust your dog's clothing as they lose and gain weight, and shed and grow fur. Additionally, you need not worry about buttons or snaps being chewed off and eaten if you use Velcro. You do not want your dog’s expensive designer dog clothes to require a trip to the emergency room.

No Standard Sizing
When it comes to dog clothing, there is no international standard of measurement. Individual manufacturers often make up their own sizing charts. Be sure to measure your dog exactly as the clothing manufacturer suggests and compare your measurements to the sizing on the package.

Ideal Choices - Do These Dog Clothes Make Me Look Fat?
The ideal dog clothes are lightweight and comfortable, with easy fastening snaps or straps. They are attractive, inoffensive, and designed with your dog's comfort and safety in mind. They're washable, durable, and won't easily show dirt. Well-fitted dog clothes are loose at the neck, and stop at the elbow, and at the rib cage to allow your dog maximum freedom of movement. Dog clothes should allow you dog to ‘do his business' without getting soiled.

Dog Sweaters
Dog T-shirt

Dog T-Shirt

Dog T-Shirts can prove how much one of you is pampered, but whether this is a clear choice of owner or pooch depends upon personal taste and your point of view. Dog T-Shirts come in several styles. Some the dog wears in a wrap-around torso style. Others are worn by people with silk-screened text, or ingrained stock, personal dog photos or custom images imprinted into the T-Shirt.

Costs to Consider
How much your dog T-Shirt will set you back depends upon the stock offering of the retailer and differing levels of customization, but $15 seems to be a good entry level price. Some retailers offer shipping deals when you buy two or more T-Shirts. Credit card purchases are the norm.

Desirable Features in a Dog T-Shirt
Easy put on
Comfortable to pet
Attractive
Won't show dirt (for dogs that like to roll in the mud)
Washable/won't shrink
Colors stable

Looking good is important too! So the best dog T-Shirt will have all of the above and then style as well. An attractive looking dog T-Shirt that gets thrown in the washer is ideal. Even better if it doesn't shrink and the colors don't run. If your dog is constantly getting down and dirty in the mud, a dark shirt that doesn't show dirt is advisable as well.

Dog Clothes

Dog Sweaters

Why Dog Sweaters?
Here's the picture. You're walking down the street, and you see a person taking their dog for a walk. Completely natural, right? The only thing unusual is the canine is decked out in a colorful dog sweater and booties to match.
At first glance, you might think it's a little silly to put clothes on a dog. After all, they have fur don't they? The real fact is that while some dog breeds are fully equipped to deal with snow and ice, others are not.
Huskies are a great example of dogs that need no extra help weathering the elements. Their dense double coats provide excellent insulation against bitter winter winds, while their feet have thick pads that resist freezing.
On the other hand, consider the humble little Chihuahua. These small dogs evolved in the southern hemisphere where the climate is quite tropical. Their coats are relatively thin, even in the long coated variety, and their tiny feet are certainly not built for plowing through the snow.
Chihuahuas, along with many other breeds, are a prime example of pets that can benefit from wearing dog sweaters. Sweaters provide insulation these pets would ordinarily lack, making it possible for them to stay outside longer in cold weather and get their exercise

The Best Design
The best sweaters are designed to keep your dog warm without hampering his movements or ability to relieve himself.

Sweaters come either with or without necks
The main body of the garment should cover your pet's entire back up to the tail base, and only fit around the torso, leaving the rear area exposed.
Garments may have front sleeves or be secured to your pet using chest straps.

Dog Clothes

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Yorkshire Terrier Information and Common Questions

The Yorkshire terrier, well known for long flowing tresses, is a tiny but tough breed. Originally used to hunt rats, the Yorkie is a popular active pet.

The Yorkshire terrier was one of the top 10 breeds for the year 2006. Click here for the complete story on Top Dog Breeds of 2006.

What is the Yorkshire Terrier breed origin?
As the name implies, the Yorkshire Terrier originated in Yorkshire County (and the adjoining Manchester County), a rugged region in northern England.In the mid-nineteenth century, at the peak of England’s industrial revolution, craftsmen from Scotland came to Yorkshire in search of work and brought with them several different varieties of small long-coated terriers, generally known as Scottish terriers. The specific breeds that make up the Yorkshire Terrier’s ancestry are not known, since the breeders at that time did not keep records of the bloodlines. Certain breeds, however, are commonly thought to be the main forebears. The likely source of the Yorkie’s small stature, long-haired coat and blue color are the Clydesdale, Paisley, Skye and Waterside terriers, all Scottish terriers transported to England at various times. The English Black and Tan Terrier bloodline probably gave the Yorkie its signature color pattern. These breeds were all working dogs, used to keep vermin under control in the textile mills and coal mines. Many have suggested that the Maltese, an ancient breed (likely originating in Asia), may be in the Yorkshire Terrier’s background as well.

The breed first appeared at an 1861 bench show in England as the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier, named for the dog’s Scottish terrier ancestors. Early Yorkies were also known simply as Toy Terriers, in both rough and broken haired varieties. Yorkshire Terriers were given their breed name by 1874.

The Yorkie was bred as a ratter, used to kill mice and rats in small places. As a hunting group, terriers specialize in pursuing animals (usually vermin) that live in dens or burrows. Animals that are cornered and defending their young will fight ferociously. Therefore, any dog that would willingly pursue them must have an extraordinary degree of courage; terriers are bred for that quality. The Yorkshire Terrier, with its feisty temperament, is no exception

How is the Yorkshire Terrier appearance and size?
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 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.

Head 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 scissors 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 Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.

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.

Tail Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
Coat Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat appearance.

Colors Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are matured. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs, to which the following color requirements apply:
Blue: Is a dark steel-blue, not a silver-blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs.
Tan: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.

Is the Yorkshire Terrier children compatible?
The Yorkie is generally not very tolerant of children but can do well if raised with them. They are affectionate and loyal to the family but can be aggressive towards strangers if not properly socialized.

Special Concerns
Even though the Yorkshire terrier is generally thought of as a pet, they are still terriers at heart and readily chase and kill rodents. Yorkies should not be allowed unsupervised time with small pets such as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Common Diseases and Disorders
Health issues often seen in the Yorkshire Terrier include bronchitis, lymphangiectasia, hepatic lipidosis, cataracts and keratitis sicca. Additionally, injection reactions (inflammation or hair loss at the site of an injection) are common. Yorkies often have a delicate digestive system, with vomiting or diarrhea resulting from consumption of foods outside of a regular diet. The relatively small size of the Yorkshire Terrier means that it usually has a poor tolerance for anesthesia. Additionally, a toy dog such as the Yorkie is more likely to be injured by falls, other dogs and owner clumsiness. Due to their small size, Yorkies may be endangered if kept in the house with an undiscerning or abusive person, especially a child. They also are at risk of being injured inadvertently by children. Small children should be carefully watched around Yorkies. Many breeders and rescue organizations will not allow their Yorkies to go to families with young children, because of the risk it poses to the dog.

The life span of a healthy Yorkie is 12-15 years. Under-sized Yorkies (3 pounds or less) generally have a shorter life span, as they are especially prone to health problems such as chronic diarrhea and vomiting; are even more sensitive to anesthesia; and are more easily injured.

As with many purebred dogs, the Yorkshire Terrier is prone to certain genetic disorders, including distichiasis, hydrocephalus, hypoplasia of dens, Legg-Perthes disease, patellar luxation, portosystemic shunt, retinal dysplasia, tracheal collapse and bladder stones. The following are among the most common congenital defects that affect Yorkies.

Famous Yorkies
Dogs in film
Mr. Famous, Audrey Hepburn's beloved Yorkshire Terrier, appeared with her in a scene in Funny Face. During the shoot of The Children's Hour, Mr. Famous was run over on Wilshire Boulevard and killed. After the death of Mr. Famous, Mel Ferrer gave Hepburn another Yorkie named Assam of Assam.
In the movie Meet the Fockers, the Fockers' (Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand) family dog, Moses, is played by a female Yorkie mix named Terem.
Horror film Urban Legend features a Yorkie in the role of Hootie, a fraternity house dog who drinks beer through a beer bong. Hootie is murdered by a serial killer in an imitation of the infamous urban legend of "the dog in the microwave."
In the film Daltry Calhoun, Aunt Dee (Beth Grant) has a Yorkie named Pickles.
The character of Mrs. Coady (Patricia Hayes) in A Fish Called Wanda owns three Yorkshire Terriers. Throughout the movie, an animal lover named Ken Pile (Michael Palin) repeatedly tries to assassinate Mrs. Coady, but instead accidentally kills the Yorkies one by one. Following the death of her last little dog, the woman dies of a heart attack.

Dogs in literature
Toto in the original book version of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is believed to be a Yorkie. Although the book does not specifically state Toto's breed, it describes Toto as "a little black dog with long silky hair." Most recognize Toto as a Cairn Terrier from the 1939 film version. However, from the illustrations in the first book many have concluded that Toto is a Yorkshire Terrier, as this breed was very popular at the time of publication. Toto was a Boston Terrier in later books of the Oz series.
Fred Basset, the comic strip created by Alex Graham, features a Yorkshire Terrier named Yorky.

Dogs on TV
On the television series Green Acres, Eva Gabor's character (Lisa Douglas) owned a Yorkshire Terrier named Mignon (as in "filet mignon").
Whitney Houston's Yorkshire Terrier, Doogie, was featured with her on the television series Being Bobby Brown.
On MTV's 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave, a reality show revolving around the marriage of Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro, the couple has a pet Yorkie named Daisy.
A Yorkshire Terrier named Barney was seen on the newspaper drama television series Lou Grant, where he shared the spotlight with Margaret Pynchon (played by Nancy Marchand). The character of Barney was killed by a Pit Bull Terrier on an episode of Lou Grant that affected legislation on dog fighting in several states.
The George Carlin Show featured a Yorkie named Miles (after jazz legend Miles Davis); George Carlin's George O'Grady won the dog from a plastic surgeon in the first episode of the television series.

Show dogs
Huddersfield Ben, a champion show dog, was the father of the modern Yorkshire Terrier.
Champion Cede Higgins, winner of the coveted Best in Show award at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 1978, was the first and only Yorkshire Terrier ever to win the title.
In 1997, Champion Ozmilion Mystification became the first Yorkie to win Best in Show at Crufts, the world's largest annual dog show.

Small dogs
Sylvia, a matchbox-size Yorkshire Terrier owned by Arthur Marples of Blackburn, England, was the smallest dog in recorded history. The dog died in 1945 when she was almost two years old, at which point she stood 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder, measured 3.5 inches from nose tip to tail, and weighed 4 ounces.
For 1995 through 2002 Guinness World Records listed a Yorkshire Terrier named Big Boss, as the smallest dog in the world. Big Boss was listed at 11.94cm (4.7in) tall when his owner, Dr. Chai Khanchanakom of Thailand, registered the toy dog with Guinness.
A Yorkie named Thumbelina, 5.5 inches tall and 8 inches long, held the Guinness World Record for smallest living dog prior to 1995.
Tiny Pinocchio, an abnormally small Yorkshire Terrier, has appeared on several television programs including Oprah and the Today Show.

War dog
Smoky, a war dog and hero of World War II, was owned by William Wynne of Cleveland, Ohio. Wynne adopted Smoky while he was serving with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific.

White House dog
Pasha, Tricia Nixon's pet Yorkie, lived in the White House during the Richard Nixon presidency.

Celebrity Owners
A Yorkshire Terrier named Spike was the former canine sidekick of television celebrity Joan Rivers. The corporate logo of Rivers' PGHM (Please God Help Me) Productions featured an image of her beloved Spike in a prayerful pose with a halo over his head. Joan Rivers also owned a Yorkie named Veronica.
Missy Elliott owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Poncho. The dog appeared in the music video for Elliott's song "Lose Control."
Kelly Rowland's Yorkshire Terrier, Mocha, was featured on an episode of Cribs on MTV.
Justin Timberlake owns two Yorkshire Terriers named Bella and Bearlie. The dogs appeared with Justin in a 1997 US Weekly feature on the members of *N Sync and their dogs.
Model Gisele Bundchen has often been photographed with her Yorkshire Terrier, Vida.
Bruce Willis owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Wolf Fishbein (Wolfie), after a character in the Woody Allen movie Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Raven-Symone owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Shawty Pimp. The dog appeared with Raven in a photo shoot for Ebony magazine.
Professional football player Brett Favre owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Jazzmin.
Actor Kyle MacLachlan and his wife have a Yorkie/Chihuahua mix named Sam who, along with their other dog Mookie, has a website and a "TV show".
Actress Tara Reid owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Stoli.
Public relations professional Lizzie Grubman from MTV's PoweR Girls owns two Yorkshire Terriers named Peanut and Crunch.
Actress Taryn Manning owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Speakers.