What Is A Parti Yorkie?

Since the middle of the 20th Century, Yorkies have become a popular breed among people. These small dogs are often even-tempered and they are small enough that you can carry them almost anywhere you desire. With smooth coats, the traditional colors for a Yorkie are often considered blue with a hint of tan mixed in.

Yorkies are highly desired and they serve to be wonderful pets, especially for those that don’t have the space to house some of the larger breeds. However, the tri-colored Yorkie or Parti Yorkie is one of the more modern mutations of the breed. They generally have three different colors that could be in any pattern on the body.

Parti Yorkies have become popular due to the visual appeal of the dog. They not only serve as wonderful companions, but people make a big fuss over the unique color combinations of these dogs. To help you better understand the Parti Yorkie, we have gone back to how it all started and where the Parti Yorkie comes from.

What Is A Parti Yorkie?

Contrary to popular belief, the Parti Yorkie is a purebred Yorkshire Terrier. At first, many breeders thought that the colors were a result of inbreeding and did not want to deal with these breeds. Many believed that due to mixing them with other dogs, they managed to get the new and unique coat we see today.

However, many breeders noticed that even with purebred Yorkies, these mutations seem to be present. Some top breeders reported that the puppies often come out in three colors, which can be white or black with tan and blue colors. The patterns vary, much like they do on any dog and this has spiked a desire for these puppies.

Yorkies have a recessive “Parti” gene that will display certain patches of white and black throughout the coat of your dog. This S-gene is naturally present in all Yorkies and over the years, these mutations have become more prevalent. You will notice that the colors and patterns can be located virtually anywhere on the dog.

We have also noticed that colors like chocolate and gold are also common in many Parti Yorkies. These colors are not as common and they do spike the price of these pups. Normal Parti Yorkies can command a price of close to $2000. However, the price can vary and you might notice that prices can go even higher for those with chocolate and gold.

Different Parti Yorkie Puppies

Not all Parti Yorkies are the same and there are four different Parti Yorkie puppies you might come across. It is a good idea to have a basic understanding so you can identify them if they come across your path. Here are the four different Parti Yorkies you might come across when you buy a new puppy:

Traditional Parti Yorkies

The Traditional Parti Yorkie is one of the most common and they can be identified by their black body and a slight tint of tan on their face. Due to the G-gene, these dogs develop with gold replacing the black on the face and silver blue color on the saddle. Some of the white areas on their body will remain there for life.

Golden 

The Golden Parti Yorkie can be identified by the gold on their saddle. These puppies don’t have the G-gene like many other Yorkies, which means they don’t turn silver. They often have plenty of brown in their coats. However, the A-gene is responsible for lighting these brown patches. You will often see brown areas turn into gold.

Chocolate 

The Chocolate Parti Yorkie is very similar to the Golden Yorkie and it also features traditional black and brown patches scattered throughout the body. However, these dogs have the B-gene and the gene can turn all the dark colors into more of a chocolate color. You will notice their coats becoming lighter as they grow older.

Merle 

The Merle Parti Yorkie is the only Yorkie that does not have a natural breeding process. While they can now be bred to create a purebred puppy, they were often crossed with the Merle Dachshund and Chihuahua to manipulate the genes. They often have dapple spots over their coats and they can be noticed with blue eyes as well.

Due to the M-gene, which is prominent in these puppies, their coats can readily change and they will have naturally lighter skin than some of the other Yorkies. They are still expensive puppies and have become popular among many celebrities.

Lifespan Of The Parti Yorkie

Since they were initially crossbred, many suggestions were made that they won’t have a long lifespan. However, the Yorkies have the same lifespan as many other dogs. According to many breeders, the average lifespan of the Parti Yorkie is around 11 to 16-years. Some have also reported that they could live longer if taken care of.

There are no funny issues or illnesses you need to be aware of with the Parti Yorkie. As long as you take care of your puppy and make sure that they get all the vaccinations, these dogs often live long and healthy lives. 

Parti Yorkie Price

One of the biggest issues with the Parti Yorkie is the price. As mentioned, the price can start at around $2000. However, the price significantly increases with rarity and some of the different variations of the Parti Yorkie. Many cases have been seen where the Parti Yorkie can even cost more than $10,000, which makes them expensive.

Even though they are expensive, the demand for them is high, especially in the United States and some parts of the United Kingdom.

Wrap-Up

If you are looking for a unique puppy that will certainly turn heads and have people asking where you got it, the Parti Yorkie is the one for you. Even though they are expensive, they remain popular and will constantly be in demand. We would love to see some of your comments on whether you would consider having a Parti Yorkie.