american Morkshire terrier standard
Show/Pet Quality - The AMTC Standard is the description of what breeders who compete in conformation dog shows strive to obtain in their breeding programs. The standard of perfection does not include varieties for colors and sizes outside the acceptable allowances. All dogs are eligible to compete in AMTC Companion events, which include Obedience, Agility and Rally as long as you are a AMTC member. All dogs require some basic training, which you may obtain from attending a basic training class. American Morkshire Terriers have a wonderful temperament and are great companions. You may also be interested in training your dog to participate as a therapy dog in hospitals, schools or nursing homes.
Official Standard for the American Morkshire Terrier
Standard of the American Morkshire Terrier
©2019 American Morkshire Terrier Club® (AMTC)
General Appearance: The American Morkshire Terrier is a toy dog covered from head to foot with long, flowing uniquely colored hair. The coat is soft, silky and straight. The American Morkshire Terrier has a gentle affectionate-mannerism, friendly, smart and makes a loyal companion.
Head: Small and slightly rounded, the skull not too prominent, the stop moderate, the muzzle not too long with a sound level bite, the ears are small, may be upright or drop ears and not too far apart, the eyes are set not too far apart; color varies with coat color from darkest brown to hazel, blue color is acceptable. Eye rims, nose and lips are black or liver, spotting or "winter nose" not uncommon. Hair may be trimmed on tips of upright ears to give them a neat appearance.
Neck: The neck is sufficient length as promoting a high carriage of the head.
Body: Well compact and proportioned. The back is level in topline equaling the length from withers to tail.
Legs and Feet: Forelegs are straight, nicely feathered, Elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs are straight but moderately angulated at stifles. Feet are round and small with black toe pads, spotting not uncommon. Toe Nails can be white, black or both. Dewclaws, if any, on forelegs may be removed and generally removed from hind legs.
Tail: Carried well arched over the body, long plume of hair, tip lying to the side over the quarter.
Coat: The coat is single, this is, without undercoat. Hair is glossy, silky, soft and long over the sides of the body. The long head fall may be tied up in a topknot or parted in the middle and left hanging. Any suggestions of wavy, curliness or woolly texture is unacceptable.
Color: The American Morkshire Terrier is a uniquely colored toy terrier breed. Head - any combination of the following colors; black, white, tan, gold (rich-yellow), and liver. Body - black, white, gold, liver or combination of white/black & gold or tan. Any variation of pied patterning is acceptable. Pied is described as comparatively large patches of one or more colors in combination with white. American Morkshire Terriers can be a solid ground color, include the predominate black, or chocolate (liver), gold, tan, or white. "Tan points" are common and vary in shades of cream to rust. Black hairs intermingled with tan furnishings is common. Brindle or merle color patterns are disqualifications.
Chest: Chest up through throat white and legs, feet are permitted.
Weight: Male: 4-15 lbs., Female: 4-14 lbs.
Height: Male: 8-11 inches, Female: 8-11 inches.
Gait: The American Morkshire Terrier has a graceful, flowing and jaunty gait giving impression of rapid movement when viewed from the side. In stride, forelegs reach straight and hind legs move in straight line. Tail must be up when in movement. Any suggestion of hind leg toeing in or out are faults.
Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and devoted to their human family. They are lively and confident with a gentle attitude making them a great companion for all ages.
Severe Faults: Over 15 pounds, rounded or roached back; high in front or rear.
Disqualifications: Any dog over twelve months of age measuring less than 8 inches, or over 11 inches. Any color combinations other than those described above. Cropped Tails. Brindle or merle color patterns are disqualifications.
Effective June 1, 2019
*Amended August 28, 2020
American Morkshire Terrier Club®, Inc. (AMTC)
Early Breed Development
©2019 American Morkshire Terrier Club® (AMTC)
General Appearance: The American Morkshire Terrier is a toy dog covered from head to foot with long, flowing uniquely colored hair. The coat is soft, silky and straight. The American Morkshire Terrier has a gentle affectionate-mannerism, friendly, smart and makes a loyal companion.
Head: Small and slightly rounded, the skull not too prominent, the stop moderate, the muzzle not too long with a sound level bite, the ears are small, may be upright or drop ears and not too far apart, the eyes are set not too far apart; color varies with coat color from darkest brown to hazel, blue color is acceptable. Eye rims, nose and lips are black or liver, spotting or "winter nose" not uncommon. Hair may be trimmed on tips of upright ears to give them a neat appearance.
Neck: The neck is sufficient length as promoting a high carriage of the head.
Body: Well compact and proportioned. The back is level in topline equaling the length from withers to tail.
Legs and Feet: Forelegs are straight, nicely feathered, Elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs are straight but moderately angulated at stifles. Feet are round and small with black toe pads, spotting not uncommon. Toe Nails can be white, black or both. Dewclaws, if any, on forelegs may be removed and generally removed from hind legs.
Tail: Carried well arched over the body, long plume of hair, tip lying to the side over the quarter.
Coat: The coat is single, this is, without undercoat. Hair is glossy, silky, soft and long over the sides of the body. The long head fall may be tied up in a topknot or parted in the middle and left hanging. Any suggestions of wavy, curliness or woolly texture is unacceptable.
Color: The American Morkshire Terrier is a uniquely colored toy terrier breed. Head - any combination of the following colors; black, white, tan, gold (rich-yellow), and liver. Body - black, white, gold, liver or combination of white/black & gold or tan. Any variation of pied patterning is acceptable. Pied is described as comparatively large patches of one or more colors in combination with white. American Morkshire Terriers can be a solid ground color, include the predominate black, or chocolate (liver), gold, tan, or white. "Tan points" are common and vary in shades of cream to rust. Black hairs intermingled with tan furnishings is common. Brindle or merle color patterns are disqualifications.
Chest: Chest up through throat white and legs, feet are permitted.
Weight: Male: 4-15 lbs., Female: 4-14 lbs.
Height: Male: 8-11 inches, Female: 8-11 inches.
Gait: The American Morkshire Terrier has a graceful, flowing and jaunty gait giving impression of rapid movement when viewed from the side. In stride, forelegs reach straight and hind legs move in straight line. Tail must be up when in movement. Any suggestion of hind leg toeing in or out are faults.
Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and devoted to their human family. They are lively and confident with a gentle attitude making them a great companion for all ages.
Severe Faults: Over 15 pounds, rounded or roached back; high in front or rear.
Disqualifications: Any dog over twelve months of age measuring less than 8 inches, or over 11 inches. Any color combinations other than those described above. Cropped Tails. Brindle or merle color patterns are disqualifications.
Effective June 1, 2019
*Amended August 28, 2020
American Morkshire Terrier Club®, Inc. (AMTC)
Early Breed Development
©2019 American Morkshire Terrier Club® Inc. All rights reserved and no part hereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written consent from the AMTC. Unauthorized use is prohibited and protected by exclusive rights.
