A Parti Yorkie, also known simply as Yorkie, is a well-known dog breed. If you are looking to become a Yorkie parent, you need to be aware that there are two Yorkies: Parti Yorkie and the traditional Yorkie.

Parti Yorkie is a Yorkshire Terrier with white patches on its coat or a coat of white color combined with any other color. This means that Parti Yorkies are just Yorkshire Terriers with a different color. Traditional Yorkies have tan and blue colored hair, whereas Parti Yorkies have significant white patches or white tones combined with black and gold. Some may also have golden or chocolate colors, although that is rare.

History of the Parti Yorkie

The Yorkie’s origin is a bit unclear. A common belief, however, is that their ancestry is, as their name suggests, England. The Yorkshire Terrier’s ancestors were originally bred in the 17th and 18th century by Scottish workers in England, as well as local mill owners and farm laborers. The farmers initially bred Yorkies to catch the menacing rats, chase badgers and foxes from the farms, and to guard their crops on the farms.

The Yorkie we know today is smaller than his ancestors from the 1800s. However, the main difference is in their purpose: companionship rather than working. The Yorkie started gaining popularity as a pet during the Victorian era. However, this didn’t last for long, and by the 1940s, their fame began to wane. Fortunately, a legendary Yorkie named Smoky reignited the breed’s popularity in the war zone during World War II.

There was some controversy initially about the Parti Yorkies’ origins. Following the arrival of the dog show, breeding of blue and golden colored Yorkshire Terriers began. However, no reputable breeder wanted to be associated with Parti or tri-colored Yorkies at the time, as they considered them to be an inferior breed. As a result, the Parti-Yorkies were either put down or given away in secret.

However, the recessive Parti genes in these Yorkies kept propagating through generations. The genes lay dormant until two Yorkies that had Parti genes mated and gave birth to a Parti Yorkie. It is usually challenging to differentiate the Yorkies that carry the Parti gene from those that don’t possess it. The lack of clarity makes it very difficult to produce Parti Yorkies design breeds. Parti Yorkies are purebred Yorkshire Terriers, and these genes can show up in a purebred litter. Even Yorkies that do not have Parti Yorkie ancestors can end up producing puppies with the unique Parti coloration. 

Characteristics of the Parti Yorkie

Since Parti Yorkies are purebreds, you can register your furry friend with AKC as long as both parents are also registered. Below we’ll cover the traits that make Yorkies so popular.

Appearance

Often referred to as toy dogs, Parti Yorkies are small but rather sturdy dogs. Adult Yorkies get to an average weight of 4-7 pounds (1.81 to 3.17 kg) and a meager height of 6-9 inches (15.24 to 22.86 cm) from their paws to their shoulders. Their coats come in various combinations of colors like black and tan, black and blue mixed with silver, blue and tan, as well as chocolate with white. Although rare, you can still find Yorkies with coats of solid colors like pure chocolate or pure blonde.

Parti Yorkies are sometimes confused with Biewer Terrier, also known as German Terriers. Despite them sharing the same family lineage, the Biewer is considered a distinct breed. These two breeds are so identical that you may not be able to tell them apart when placed side by side. This similarity is mostly because of their similar coat colorations. However, a clear way to distinguishing between them is by looking at their tail. The Biewer Terrier has a full-length tail, while Yorkie features shorter tails thanks to docking.

Personality

The Yorkie’s cute and charming personality has earned them a high ranking in the list of the best-looking dogs in America. In general, the Yorkie is a happy and eager companion, although each puppy will have different traits and quirks from the next. 

Yorkies are also known for their intelligence, which can often result in them becoming stubborn and curious. However, they usually mean no harm and can easily be trained to be obedient. They can also bark a lot at strange humans, dogs, and other pets, so training your Yorkie from an early age is crucial to transform this aggression into affection. 

As with most dogs, Yorkies are also very attached to their owners and prefer not to be left alone for too long, resulting in depression and separation anxiety.

Health

Parti Yorkies are a relatively healthy breed. They have a life expectancy of between 12 to 16 years with a median age of 13.5 years. Yorkie’s small size should not fool you; they often live longer than the medium to large dog breeds. Despite their excellent health, Yorkies are also prone to certain health issues, including:   Legg-Perthes disease   

• Hypoglycemia, which refers to an abnormally low sugar level rate, is commonly found in toy breed dogs. This condition may occur in pups that are less than five months old and also in pregnant adults. Common signs to look out for are weakness, drowsiness, and fainting.
•  affects the Yorkie’s hip joints. As a result, your Yorkie’s hip may end up becoming deformed. You should be on the lookout for any signs of limping from your pup, especially between four and six months of age.
• The Yorkie is also prone to skin diseases like most dogs. If your furry friend is allergic to pollen, chemicals, or interacts with fleas, his skin may become itchy, and his coat may eventually shed excessively. You should watch out for any skin irritations on your Yorkie.
• Yorkies are also prone to collapsed tracheas, which is caused by the narrowing or collapsing of the windpipe. You should watch out for signs such as heavy breathing and excessive coughing.

Taking your cute pet to visit his vet often will ensure that you can catch or prevent some of these issues before they get out of hand. Feeding your Yorkie with nothing but high-quality food will have a positive impact on his overall health and longevity. 

Care

Training your dog from an early age will significantly influence his temperament and personality. Early socialization not only makes your dog comfortable around unfamiliar people and other dogs but also gives you peace of mind. If you live with your aggressive Yorkie in an apartment, for instance, you are bound to receive hostility from your neighbors. There are some essential tips that you need to follow to care for your Yorkie properly:       

• You need to create a defined space for your Yorkie to live in, especially when you are out of the house or during sleep time.
• Create a scheduled eating plan that includes a well-balanced diet, water, and occasional snacks.
• Periodically clean your pet’s ears, brush their teeth, and clip their nails.
• You will also have to brush their long coat twice to thrice a week to avoid tangles. You should, however, avoid using bristles as they can damage your little buddy’s fur coat.

Exercise

Owing to their history as working dogs, Yorkies are a reasonably active breed even in the present days. Exercising your Yorkie daily will go a long way in keeping your pup healthy and happy. Besides going for walks, you can also engage them in outdoor games which they’ll find very enjoyable. However, you should always remember to have your dog on a leash when outdoors to curb their overtly inquisitive traits.

Conclusion

As a potential Yorkie parent, you should be ready to receive a lot of love and affection from your dog. Don’t let their miniature exterior fool you. Yorkies pack a lot of personality and energy in a small package, so you should also be prepared to exercise and run around as your Yorkie is bound to keep you on your toes.