Parti Yorkie Common Questions and Answers

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Whether you realized it or not, you've probably seen or encountered a Parti Yorkie. They are considerably different in color from your standard Yorkie so you would not likely have made the connection between the two. That said, Parti Yorkies are incredibly adorable little dogs that are impossible not to fall in love with instantly. You were probably left with any number of questions, the biggest of which is? What kind of dog is that?

The following is in no particular order of importance but lists 10 Common Questions we get about Parti Yorkies:

You are likely already familiar with the Yorkshire Terriers breed so it's important that you know that a Parti Yorkie is not a separate breed from a Yorkshire Terrier. They are in fact one in the same, just with different coloring! There are some great articles out there that provide a more detailed explanation of how a recessive gene (the piebald gene) in a breed that is traditionally known to be black and tan, produced the Parti color combination of black, tan and white. The term "Parti" refers to the color, not the breed. We at Yorkie Blossoms specialize in the Parti Yorkie Variety. 

The short answer is yes. If you breed two traditional dogs who carry the Parti gene, they can produce puppies that also carry this genetic trait and/or are born with parti coloring. Likewise, if you breed two traditional or standard Yorkies that aren't carriers of the parti gene, the likely outcome is traditional puppies. 

The answer to this question is YES! The AKC concluded that the traditional purebred Yorkshire Terriers can in fact produce differently colored Yorkies. It's genetics! In fact, back in 2000, the AKC began accepting registration of Parti Yorkies with the color code of 014. Once Parti Yorkies were officially recognized by the AKC, many breeders started breeding them.

So, where does all the confusion and misinformation come from? The YTCA (Yorkshire Terrier Club of America) states that the Parti colored Yorkie is not standard, which has incorrectly led some people to interpret that to mean they are not purebred and therefore cannot be registered with the AKC, which you now know is inaccurate.

 Yorkies come in many colors and all of them are beautiful!

• Standard or Traditional Yorkie: Yorkies are one of the most distinctive dog breeds thanks to their small size and the fact that they grow long hair instead of fur. Their coloring is Black & Tan, Blue & Tan, Black & Gold, Blue & Gold.
• Parti Yorkie: Are typically tri-colored and present in black, tan, and white coloring with no specific pattern.
• Sable Parti Yorkie: These beauties usually present two colors, white and sable with no specific pattern.
• Chocolate Yorkie: Chocolate yorkies can be identified by their chocolate coloring but the biggest identifier is their brown noses while traditional and other Yorkies all have black noses.
• Chocolate Parti Yorkie: They are identified by their chocolate coloring but also present with the white markings. And yes, they also have brown noses!
• Black Yorkie: They hair is primarily black but may also have tan and/or white points.
• Extreme Black Yorkie: As the name suggests, they have black hair over their entire body with no white or tan points.
• Pure Blonde Yorkie/Golden Yorkie: Pure blonde or golden Yorkies are extremely rare, as is any solid colored Yorkie. Blonde and Golden yorkies may also present with some color variations.
• White Yorkie: White Yorkies are those that are fully white in color with no color variation.

As we mentioned previously, once the Parti Yorkies were officially recognized by the AKC, many breeders started breeding them including us at Yorkie Blossoms! 

For many of us, price is an issue, however, we must take price versus value into consideration when addressing this topic. (We at Yorkie Blossoms also offer financing!)What are you getting for your money? Here are some questions you should consider asking before you buy: How are the puppies cared for? What are their living conditions? Have they been to the vet? Will their shots be up to date upon delivery? Are their parents onsite? Do they come with a health guarantee and/or health certificate? Can they be registered with the AKC? Good breeders will be happy to provide proof and references upon request.  

Now for the answer to this question… Pedigree Yorkshire Terrier puppies with their AKC papers are often sold in the range of $2,000-$3,000 USD or more. 

It is often said that a dog is man's best friend but that may not be the case, if the man is allergic to his dog! Pet allergies are quite common in the United States and it's estimated that 15% to 30% of all Americans are affected. While allergies to cats are almost twice as common, allergic reactions to dogs tend to be more severe. But you're in luck because Yorkies are considered to be hypoallergenic! This makes them a great option for people with dog allergies because Yorkies have hair as opposed to fur, and they don’t shed. 

Now for the disclaimer, according to AKC, there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog, so don't go throwing away your allergy meds just in case!

Yorkshire Terriers have a life expectancy of between 11-16 years. And while Yorkies are generally healthy, they are susceptible to health problems associated with their size and breed. As with any breed, regular vet visits and care can certainly contribute to their longevity. 

• Luxating Patella: One congenital health problem in Yorkies, kneecap dislocation. The kneecap slips out of place under duress causing your dog to limp or avoid walking for a few minutes though it soon returns to normalcy on its own. Rest and physical therapy can help your dog overcome the problem to some extent. However, surgical correction can be carried out for a permanent solution.
• Collapsed Trachea: This is mostly commonly found in undersized dogs. Researchers indicate the hereditary weakness of rings holding the windpipe as the primary reason for this disorder. Noisy or troubled breathing, frequent coughing and gagging sounds may be indicative of a collapsed trachea. We recommend using a body harness and to avoid using a dog collar as this may cause the problem to become more severe.
• Periodontal Disease: Most small dogs have issues with their teeth, and your Yorkies are no exception. You may want to consider having your dog’s teeth cleaned twice yearly by your vet just as you would your own at the dentist. Otherwise, check for food remnants and clean teeth and gums at least once a week at home.

We at Yorkie Blossoms have a 1 year heath guarantee against all genetic defects! 

Your Yorkie should be taken for a walk a minimum of 1 time per day though twice daily is recommended. Once in the morning and again in the evening is good. The actual time of the walks isn't as important as having a schedule. You'll find all breeds better behaved when they have a daily schedule.

There's moderate exercise, such as daily walks at a steady pace or cardio exercise which is shorter in duration but more intense activity, such as playing fetch. You'll find the benefits to daily exercise for your Yorkie numerous with one important result being it helps a dog release that pent-up energy that may otherwise be directed in a negative ways such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, and things of that nature.

Yes, you absolutely can adopt, or you can consider fostering. Ask your local animal shelter about Yorkie Rescues. We believe that every animal deserves a good life and a good forever home. We have worked with local animal rescues, we've fostered, adopted and helped rehome some very deserving animals. We suggest you check with local rescue groups as they may have networks across the US dedicated to Yorkie dog rescues.

And there your have the 10 common questions we are asked about Parti Yorkies! 

If you are interested in one of our Yorkies please fill out an application here!