What is a Parti Yorkie

© By Crownridge Kennel - Loryn Bogren
Copied with permission

Parti-color Yorkies have been registered with the American Kennel Club since about 2000. The designated number for the color is 014 and the designated color is Parti-color, blue and tan, black and tan, etc.

The Parti-color gene has been in the breed since the 1800's. Since the Parent Club designated the traditional colors of Blue and Tan, etc. as part of the standard, the Parti-color puppies that "cropped-out" were discarded; i.e. given away without papers or WORSE.....

Our puppies all started with a dog named "Rolls Royce Ashley". His sire, "Rolls Royce Corniche", was Best In Show at Crufts in England and was AKC Yorkshire Terrier Dog Of The Year in 1983. Our pedigrees have many champions with "Rolls Royce Ashley" on both the Sire and Dam sides.

The Parti-color gene is a simple, recessive color gene. In order for it to be expressed, it must be on both sides of the pedigree.

Here is a break-down of what you get when you breed Parti-colors to different combinations of Parti-colors, Traditional colors that carry the Parti-color gene, and Traditional colors that do not carry the Parti-color gene.

If you breed Parti-color to Parti-color, all the puppies will be Parti-color. Parti-color to Parti-color carrier will have two Parti-colors and two Parti-color carriers. Parti-color carrier to Parti-color carrier will have one Parti-color and two Parti-color carriers and one traditional color that does not carry the Parti-color gene. Parti-color to Traditional that does not carry the Parti-color gene will have all traditional color puppies that carry the Parti-color gene. Parti-color carrier to Traditional color that does not carry the Parti-color gene will have two traditional color carriers and two traditional colors that do not carry the Parti-color gene. AND, of course, Traditional to Traditional without the Parti-color gene will have all traditional color puppies that do not carry the Parti-color gene. These figures are based on a litter of four and as you know, you may get more Parti-colors in one litter and less in the next, but in the long-run they will average out to these figures.

The AKC DNA'd about 42 litters before they accepted our Parti-colors. The DNA proved they were 100% purebred Yorkshire Terriers. AKC does not require DNA on the dams but the same requirements for the DNA on traditional-color, breeding sires applies. Registering a Parti-color litter is exactly the same as registering a traditional litter. When registering an individual puppy from a Parti-color litter, the AKC requires two color photos (front and one side) and the puppies are registered on a "case-by-case" basis. All of ours have been accepted to date.

The coat textures, temperaments, etc. are all the same as Traditional color Yorkies. These Parti-color Yorkies are simply AKC Yorkshire Terriers with all the "Bells and Whistles"!