YORKY CLUB MAGAZINE #9 -- April 2008

"The complexities of COLOUR" by Jacqui Reddin-Williams

Who would have thought that these three short words “DARK STEEL BLUE” could cause so much discussion and even argument amongst Yorkshire Terrier aficionados? UK & FCI Standard Colour Dark steel blue (not silver blue), extending from occiput to root of tail, never mingled with fawn, bronze or dark hairs. Hair on chest rich, bright tan. All tan hair darker at the roots than in middle, shading to still lighter at tips. AKC Standard 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.

The blue and gold colours of the Yorkie’s long silk coat are what gives him his breed type, and what makes him a true Yorkshire Terrier. But is “correct colour” all in the eye of the beholder? During 2007 the YTCA drew up, voted on and ultimately added to their Breed Standard an amendment containing a DQ (disqualification) regarding the colour of the Yorkshire Terrier. This was in order to help judges to better interpret exactly what the Standard required regarding colour.

My role here is not to discuss this change. However, the ensuing discussions between breeders, both before and after this amendment prompted me to try and analyze exactly what the Breed Standard means by its description of the ideal Yorkie colour. Indeed why was there a NEED to help judges - and breeders - to better understand the Standard requirements?

Both FCI & AKC require “dark steel blue” with “All tan hair darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter at tips”. I knew exactly how the picture of the perfect Yorkie looked in MY head - but how did other, more experienced owners and breeders perceive the correct Yorkie colour?

So I asked Yorkshire Terrier breeders across the world to describe in words their idea of the correct Yorkie colours, and to send me a photo of these “perfect” colours. The results surprised me. Whilst most descriptions mention “metal” or “steel” we can see from the collage of photos sent from over 15 different countries people’s actual perception of “dark steel blue” was very different - although the 3 coloured gold seemed to cause less problems.

I eventually came to the conclusion that, no matter how precisely you describe a colour in words - the human brain will always translate those words into its OWN interpretation. Something like describing a “dark pink rose”.......we will all picture that rose very slightly differently! Which is why, in each of our mind’s eye, the perfect Yorkshire Terrier is not the same dog; just as the correct dark steel blue may seem more or less dark, more blue than black, or more aluminium than steel! We are all human - and like the perfect Yorkie, the perfect human hasn’t yet been born!

Many thanks to all the owners & breeders who took the time to send us in words & pictures, their idea of the perfect Yorkie colour.

“A dark colour approaching black but not black with a metallic quality that when reflecting or refracting light to the eye captures the blue end of the colour spectrum.”

“Blue should be the colour of an unpolished steel knife and the Gold the colour of a pure gold wedding ring.”

“If you take a steel nail and cut it in half, that is the ideal steel blue colour.”

“Take a piece of unpolished steel out into the sunlight -and there is your color.”

“I believe the term “steel” was used to denote a metallic or reflective essence to the colour.”

“The colour is “gun-metal” blue, a mixture of black and blue. That is to say so dark that could be”

“Mistaken for black in poor lighting but in good lighting, you could see the blue iridescence.”

“The dark steel blue should not be coal black. Black does not reflect light to give it that beautiful silk shine. It should be the color of the inside of an old gun.”

“You should be able to rub your dog’s coat with a piece of charcoal and it should not be readily apparent.“

“The word “grey” is also inadequate because grey is just black with the absence of pigment so this doesn’t work either.“

“The colour is usually almost black but reflects blue.”

“Tan develops from still black puppy -becoming white at the roots and then starting to get gold as they being older, having the shadings of 9, 18 and 24 carats of gold. “

“My ideal color on a puppy is one who is starting to break in color, but is still very dark. The head will be sooty, with the tan showing on the head and legs. The adult may still have some thumbprints at 2-3 years of age. The ideal adult color is a steel blue, the color of the inside of a gun barrel. I do believe, however,that varying shades of blue may still be correct as long as the color pattern is correct.”

“The steel blue as a puppy is black but he has blue skin and shines, as the coat grows it becomes more and more dark blue and as the dog gets older it starts to being lighter but it should still have the blue colour in the coat not white. The true coat also must shine as a mirror.”

“The most important things is that a true quality coat has always a shine even without any preparations or grooming.”