There is no denying that plain coat dogs are attractive, but dogs with patterned coats draw our attention on a whole different level. For years, dog owners have only relied on choosing from various colors, such as golden, white, black, etc., only. However, trends have changed now, and everyone is doting on tri-colored dogs because of their uniqueness and visual appeal. Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately called Yorkie, is one such dog breed.
Talking about Yorkies, they were recognized by their tan and blue coats. But because of genetic mutations, some litters had tri-colored coats, which were initially considered the result of crossbreeding, and purebred lovers and clubs didn’t appreciate mutts. Later on, several Yorkie parents saw that even on pure breeding, mutations occurred, which proved that Parti Yorkies are purebred.
Parti Yorkies have garnered incredible popularity in recent years, with each Yorkie costing upwards of 2000 U.S. dollars.
So, what actually are Parti Yorkies, and what’s the hype about them?
Let’s unwrap the secrets!
What is a Parti Yorkie?
Parti Yorkies are the purebred Yorkshire Terriers having a tri-color coat. Standard Yorkshire Terriers have blue and tan colored hair, whereas Parti Yorkies have a combination of black, white, and tan colors.
The tri-coloration occurs because they have a white recessive ‘parti’ gene (the S-gene) that displays significant white patches with small patches of black and tan that come in different designs. It can be full-body white and black and tan patches on the face; it can be black patches on the body and a tan and black color on the face; or it can be a whole black face, tan ears, and white coat with different patterns of other two colors; and so forth.
The colors and patterns on each Parti Yorkie may vary as the breed does not follow a specific pattern.
Parti Yorkies can also have golden, chocolate, or merle colors.
Parti Yorkie Puppies
There are four types of Yorkie puppies.
- Traditional Parti Yorkie
- Golden Parti Yorkie
- Chocolate Parti Yorkie
- Merle Parti Yorkie
Traditional Parti Yorkie puppies are black with a tint of tan on their face. Because of the “G” gene, as Yorkie puppies grow up, the black on their head is replaced by gold, and the black on their back saddle turns to a steel silverish-blue. As tri-color or Parti Yorkies are genetically pure Yorkies, the black color on the head of Parti Yorkie puppies turns to gold, and the black patches on their back turn to the familiar silver steel blue of a standard Yorkie. Any white areas on a Parti Yorkie puppy remain white throughout their lives and never change color.
Talking about the Golden Yorkie puppies, they are born sable and white. A gold or sable Parti Yorkie doesn’t have a greying gene (the G gene), because of which the back saddle doesn’t turn from black color to steel blue-grey. On the other hand, they do have an “A” gene that turns any brown patch to gold—just like standard Yorkie puppies. Unlike standard Yorkies, any dark brown patches lighten with time and turn to golden colors.
The third variation of Parti Yorkies is Chocolate Parti Yorkies. This variation carries a “B” gene that turns the black color with deep, dark brown patches, lightening up a bit as they grow older. The most distinctive features of these Yorkies are their lighter brown or amber eyes and their brown snout. Like the traditional Yorkie, most chocolate Parti Yorkie puppies’ faces may be sable, but some may be darker golden-brown. Any white color on the face or body remains white.
The last variation is Merle Parti Yorkies. The merle gene creates dapple spots instead of color patches on a solid or piebald coat, gives them blue or odd-colored eyes, and affects the skin pigment. The merle Yorkie puppies have an “M” gene that gives them beautiful patterns.
However, these genes don’t occur naturally in Yorkies. The first merle Yorkie puppies were introduced by South African breeders, who bred merle Dachshund or Chihuahua with a Yorkie. Thus, the merle Parti Yorkies are not purebred.
How Big Do Parti Yorkies Get?
The Parti Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), weighing 4 to 7 pounds and standing tall between 7 to 8 inches.
The table below that shows the timeline of how big Parti Yorkie can get.
| Age | Weight |
| Birth | 2.5 to 5 ounces |
| 8 weeks old | 12 to 34 ounces |
| 12 weeks old | 1 to 2.5 lbs. |
| 20 weeks old | 1.5 to 4. lbs. |
| Final adult weight | 3 to 7 lbs. |
The reason behind their small size is that they belong to the group of toy dog breeds. So, your itsy-bitsy 2.5 ounces Parti Yorkie can only grow up to 7 pounds at most. However, this table is based on general information. For an exact measurement, consult your vet or use a kitchen scale.
How Long Do Parti Yorkies Live?
The average life expectancy of Parti Yorkies is between 11 to 16 years. However, unfortunately, this lifespan is not linear and may fall short of the average because of certain health concerns.
Therefore, we recommend adopting a Parti Yorkie that is vaccinated and registered with the AKC.
Are Parti Yorkies Purebred?
Yes, Parti Yorkie is purebred. However, in early times, tri-colored Yorkies were not considered pure, which made them unwanted by reputable breeders. This changed in the 19th century when they were given the status of purebred. Later on, in 2000, the AKC officially recognized the Parti Yorkie breed as a pure dog breed.
The reason behind their parti-color is that they have a specific gene that gives them their characteristic tri-colored brown, tan, and white coat—unlike regular and traditional Yorkshire Terriers with blue and tan colors.
Can Parti Yorkies Be Registered With the AKC?
Yes, Parti Yorkie can be registered with the AKC if both parents are also registered with the registry.
First seen in 19th century England, Yorkshire Terrier’s original bloodline is still unknown but is believed to have been a cross of the following breeds:
- Maltese Terrier
- Skye Terriers
- Paisley Terriers
When Yorkshire Terriers first appeared, they had no specific breed standard. In 1872, the breed reached the U.S. and was recognized by the AKC in 1885, and a standard developed henceforth.
However, at that time, the Parti Yorkie colors were not considered to be purebred, and thus the AKC didn’t recognize them. For the same reason, the breeders didn’t give them much importance.
But in the ‘80s, a man showed the DNA results of dog’s litter that contained a Parti Yorkie to prove that the tri-colored puppies are purebred—after which the AKC recognized the Parti color Yorkies.
How Much Do Parti Yorkies Cost?
A Parti Yorkie puppy may cost you between the U.S. $4,000 – $5,000 from a reputable breeder. The price can also go as high as $10,000 for superior pedigrees and bloodlines. Moreover, a Parti Yorkie registered with the AKC can be more expensive.
It’s because getting a dog registered with AKC costs dog breeders a fair amount of money, as the AKC will only register purebred dogs and issue a document that mentions the dog-like breeders, siblings, parents, and other ancestors.
The prices are high because these puppies are still rare, though high in demand.
How Much Exercise Should My Yorkie Get?
A Parti Yorkie requires around 30 to 40 minutes of exercise daily. Though they are small, don’t be fooled by their size.
These dogs enjoy running, fetching, and playing games just as much as high-energy dogs do. Because of their inquisitive nature and inherited instincts of hunting and chasing rats and other rodents, these dogs love to explore things around them.
How Long Should I Walk My Parti Yorkie?
You can walk your Parti Yorkie puppy for 15 to 20 minutes; and adults (over the age of 2 years) for 20 to 25-minute sessions. As said before, their tiny bodies are full of energy; you will always find them ready to go for a walk.
What are the Common Health Issues of Parti Yorkies?
Parti Yorkies are generally healthy dogs. However, some common canine health issues may occur in them, for instance:
- Cardiovascular Issues
- Hypoglycemia—a sudden drop in blood sugar levels
- Periodontal disease—dental issues because of their small jaws and the inclination towards overcrowded teeth
- Legg-Perthes disease—a condition in which the top of the femur bone weakens
- Retinal dysplasia—a genetic disease involving abnormal development of the retina
- Luxating patella—dislocation of the kneecap
- Collapsed trachea—gradual thinning of C-shaped trachea
- Liver shunt—a congenital disability in puppies in which the liver does not close and seal
- Pancreatitis—an inflammation of the pancreas because of a high-fat diet
- Bronchitis—an inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes
- Lymphangiectasia—lymphatic dilatation
- Portosystemic shunt—an abnormal connection between the portal vascular system and systemic circulation
- Cataracts—the clouding of their eyes’ lenses
- Keratitis sicca—dryness of the conjunctiva
Most of these health issues appear as dogs grow old, and not every dog needs to develop these diseases. However, if you see any changes in your dog’s behavior, we recommend regularly getting your pet examined by a vet.
Are Parti Yorkies Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Parti Yorkies are hypoallergenic. Here, we’d like to bust this misconception hypoallergenic dogs are those that don’t shed at all.’
According to Dr. Jill A. Poole, division chief of allergy and immunology at the department of medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, “there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog because all dogs produce the same proteins. It’s those proteins to which you’re reacting. That’s why even a so-called hypoallergenic dog can still trigger an allergic reaction… It would be more appropriate to call these shedding versus non-shedding dogs.”
Just like traditional Yorkies shed minimally, Parti Yorkies also don’t shed much, making them a good option for people having dog allergies.
Can I Adopt A Parti Yorkie?
You can adopt a Parti Yorkie if you are okay with the following of their qualities.
- Their grooming requirements are high as they have long hair
- Because of their hunting instincts, they have a high tendency to bark
- They don’t get along with other pets quickly if they are not trained properly
- They have high energy and require 30 to 40 minutes of daily exercise
- They can get bored easily, after which they exhibit behaviors such as scratching, barking, and chewing.
If you can handle all these, you are good to go with Parti Yorkies.