The Duchess Arrived in Her Finest Feathers and Everyone Straightened Up
A cloud of pale blue and gray feathers sweeps up from the velvet hat perched on this Yorkshire Terrier duchess, held by a band of lace and gold. Her tan face and silky steel-blue fur peek out from a lace ruff, and her gown is blue velvet decorated with intricate gold embroidery and trimmed in white ermine dotted with black. Her dark eyes are bright and a bit stern, like a lady who has noticed that the tea is slightly late. The little blue ribbon on her hat flutters as though a breeze has swept through the palace corridor.
The feathers are the star of the show. Painters used loose, feathery strokes for them while keeping the face and lace razor sharp, a contrast that pulls the eye straight to her expression. Notice too how the white ermine, dotted with black tails, is painted with soft dabs that make it look genuinely plush.
Yorkshire Terriers are small, brave, and quite sure of themselves. They are affectionate with their family but can be wary of strangers, so gentle socializing from a young age helps. Their long coat is silky and needs regular brushing, or a shorter trim to make life easier. Because they are small, keep an eye on their teeth, which can build up tartar faster than in larger dogs, and ask your vet about a dental routine. Light jackets in cold weather help too.
If this duchess ever asks for another sugar cube, the answer at court is always yes.
