Our Story: Essence of Grace Yorkies
At Essence of Grace Yorkies, we take pride in producing high-quality, AKC-bred Yorkshire Terriers that stand out for their exceptional health, loving temperament, and beautiful breed type. We focus on preserving traditional Yorkshire Terrier coloring, clear pedigrees, and correct structure. Our dogs are not just pretty faces—they are bred to the standard and raised with purpose.
Whether you’re seeking a loving companion or a future show prospect, our program produces Yorkshire Terriers with elegance, intelligence, and charm.
Our Foundation Priorities
✔ Health
Our breeding dogs are DNA tested through Embark and undergo appropriate OFA screening to support long-term genetic soundness and structural health.
✔ Temperament
Raised in a home environment, our dogs are loved, well-socialized, and thoughtfully prepared to become confident, stable companions.
✔ Breed Standard
We breed to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier standard, prioritizing balance, correct structure, silky coats, and rich traditional color.
Unlike breeders who market “teacup Yorkies,” we remain committed to producing healthy, standard-sized Yorkshire Terriers with integrity and purpose.
✔ Regional Focus
We proudly serve families throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and surrounding areas.
Meet Gracie Vargas
The Passion Behind Essence of Grace YorkiesMy journey with Yorkshire Terriers began in 2008 when I received my very first Yorkie, Penny Lane, as a Christmas gift. Two years later, Big Ben joined our family. Both were beloved pets who brought me endless joy and companionship. Penny Lane passed away at 15 from heart and kidney failure; Big Ben passed away at 11. Though I never bred them, my love for the Yorkshire Terrier breed was already deeply rooted.
How It All Began: The Start of a Dream
In 2019, shortly after losing Penny Lane, I was gifted a beautiful, well-bred Yorkshire Terrier female I named Eleanor Rigby (“Ellie”). At first, I had no intentions of breeding—Ellie was meant to fill the space in my heart. I enrolled her in puppy preschool and obedience classes, and she even began therapy dog training until COVID-19 interrupted those plans.
With many AKC Champions available at stud, I decided to try one carefully planned breeding to see what could come from it. That first litter changed everything. From it came Abbey, now AKC CH Essence of Grace Abbey Blazin’ Down the Road. That single experience sparked my passion for responsible breeding and showing.
I had hoped to show Ellie and began training her in conformation handling, but I was discouraged by others and never entered her in the ring. I vowed never to let anyone else’s opinions stop me again.
Growing the Program: Sasha and Show Success
As I grew more serious about breeding, we imported our first European Yorkshire Terrier, Sasha, from Russia. Sasha later became our first AKC Champion and played a foundational role in shaping our program.
Over time, this foundation has produced both exceptional show prospects and cherished companion dogs, each reflecting the same commitment to structure, temperament, and breed type.
While Abbey was actively showing, we were fortunate to be placed with an exceptional male from a respected breeder in Mexico:
GCHS ZIBURUA SUPER CHARGER (“Charlie”).
Before arriving in the United States, Charlie earned Champion, Junior Grand Champion, and Grand Champion titles internationally, along with notable wins in Mexico and Costa Rica. I personally finished his AKC Championship and Grand Championship titles in the U.S.
Charlie is now ranked among the top Yorkshire Terriers in the country and will appear at Westminster on February 2, 2026, showing alongside the breed as the culmination of his show career.
The Legacy Continues: Ellie’s Retirement & Lucy’s Journey
In 2024, we decided to let Ellie have her final litter before retirement. Paired with a trusted Champion male, that breeding produced Lucy—our future homebred show girl and Abbey’s half-sister.
Lucy currently holds 12 AKC points and needs one major to finish her Championship. A small setback has temporarily taken her out of the ring, with plans to return in mid-2026.
Whether Lucy completes her Championship before motherhood or finishes afterward remains undecided—but her journey reflects the patience, perseverance, and responsibility that define our program.
Ellie is now retired and enjoying a spoiled life with her forever family.
Learn more about the foundation females who shape our program on our Dams page.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Vision
In 2025, while attending Woofstock, I had the honor of connecting with breeders I had long admired—people whose pedigrees I respected through Abbey. Just a month later, one of those breeders offered me a co-ownership opportunity for a promising young male. I was incredibly grateful for the chance to bring these treasured lines into our program.
This male is a descendant of the same lineage behind our girl Abbey, which makes the opportunity even more meaningful. While his co-owner remains on his papers until he earns his AKC Championship, I am now his full-time owner.
He was lightly shown in 2025, gaining valuable ring experience, though opportunities for true competition were limited. In 2026, he will become a primary focus in the show ring, entering more competitive events where he can earn his wins through genuine competition. Alongside his campaign, we also look forward to Lucy’s return to the ring as circumstances allow.
This addition represents our future—honoring the past, improving the present, and investing thoughtfully in the long-term preservation of the Yorkshire Terrier breed.
As our foundation girls move toward the later stages of their careers, their retirements are planned with the same care and intention that guided their beginnings—always placing health, longevity, and quality of life first.
Every decision we make honors the past, improves the present, and protects the future of the Yorkshire Terrier breed.
If you’re considering adding a Yorkshire Terrier to your family, we invite you to explore our current availability and future plans.
