What is a Parti Yorkie? Everything You Need to Know | Yorkie Fun (2024)

Have you ever heard of a Parti Yorkie? These special, rare, and little dogs are full of love and have many interesting facts about them. I cannot wait to share their backstory with you and teach you all there is to know about my favorite type of Yorkie!

A Parti Yorkie is a Yorkshire Terrier with different coloring than a traditional Yorkie. Three Parti Yorkies exist: the Tri-Colored, Golden or Blonde, and Chocolate. Parti Yorkies have been around dating as far back as the 1800s but were originally considered low-quality puppies, not purebred.

Want to know how this all changed and how the Parti Yorkie has now become not only popular but also recognized by the AKC? We’ll get to all of that. But first, let’s take a peek at what they look like.

What Does a Parti Yorkie Look like?

Parti Yorkies are cute, adorable little puppies that are created when two Yorkshire Terriers are mated, and both carry the recessive Parti Yorkie gene. Interestingly, if two Parti Yorkies are mated, they still have a chance to have traditional Yorkie puppies. So you never know what kind of puppies might arrive!

Parti Yorkies are considered to be hypoallergenic, and their coat is more like hair than fur, although no dog breed is 100% allergy-friendly. Starting at six months, you will notice a Yorkie’s hair will begin to change color. This slow process is normally complete when the Yorkie is between one and two years old.

Three types of Parti Yorkies are tri-colored, golden or blonde, and chocolate. The Tri-Colored Parti Yorkie is the most common. These dogs have hair that is a combination of white, tan, and black. The Tri-Colored Parti Yorkies will have a mostly white body with some black throughout it.

Our family dog is a tri-color, and as a puppy, our girls said he looked like a cow because of the markings on his back. As he began to age, his colors did change a bit. White still remains as the primary color, black spots on his back, and his face changed to more brown shades than the black you will see below.

The Golden or Blonde Parti Yorkie is rare. Their hair lacks the grayish-blue color Traditional Yorkies are known for. They can be solid golden/blonde or a combination of golden/blonde and white. Their hair grows longer and appears to be a lighter color, so they are often referred to as Golden Yorkies.

The Chocolate Parti Yorkie is the rarest of all, requiring one of the mated parents to carry a double recessive gene. These puppies are solid and completely brown in appearance. Chocolate Parti Yorkies are often sold with a high price tag because they are so rare.

The Beginning of the Parti Yorkies Journey

Parti Yorkies had a rough beginning. Back in the 1800s, when they were first discovered, they were considered low-quality of the Traditional Yorkie. When they were born, they were often euthanized or given away in secret. Breeders did not want anyone to think that their dogs had given birth to a puppy that was not perfect. There were thoughts that these puppies were cases of breeding purebred Yorkies with other dog breeds. It wasn’t until much later that it was discovered just how special a Patri Yorkie was and that it’s not a substandard Yorkie.

Are Parti Yorkies Purebred?

After over a century of Parti Yorkies not being considered purebred, two people sought to change this incorrect perception. Gloria Lipman and Loryn Bogren were breeders and knew that these beautiful puppies were born to purebred traditional Yorkies. DNA testing was done on over 40 dogs to prove that Parti Yorkies were purebred.

In 2000, The AKC (American Kennel Club) took the DNA tests and changed the breed standards of the Yorkie to accept the coloring found on Parti Yorkies. This was a huge step for these little dogs to get recognition.

As a side note, we wrote a complete guide about all of the different types of Yorkies. Be sure to check it out.

Parti Yorkies: Little Dogs with a Big Personality

Parti Yorkies, like the traditional Yorkie, are often known for being little dogs who really think they are big. Think of the Napoleon Complex but with dogs. These little pups are affectionate and loyal. They love to snuggle and sleep right by your side. They are also great watchdogs, as they will let you know, with excessive barking, if any intruders may be outside your house. This can be positive and negative.

Speaking of excessive barking, check out this article we wrote if you have ever wondered why Yorkies bark so much.

Parti Yorkies are also known for being stubborn. You will see this in many aspects of their training. Some take as long as two years to be fully potty trained, and some will still have accidents. Parti Yorkies are known for having separation anxiety and small bladders, making training even more difficult. Because of this, they should not be left alone for long periods of time, especially at the puppy stage. As your Parti Yorkie matures, it can be left for up to six hours.

Parti Yorkie Facts: Interesting Tidbits on These Amazing Little Dogs

Parti Yorkies are truly my favorite breed of dog. Their personalities are full of energy and love, and would be a great addition to your family. Want to know if a Parti Yorkie is the right dog for you? Read below to find the pros and cons of these lovable little pups.

Here are a few other things to know if you’re considering a Parti Yorkie.

• Average weight of 4-7 pounds
• Average height 7-8 inches
• Big personalities in a little body
• Low need for exercise (2 walks per day)
• Loves to play
• Love to snuggle
• To be shown, the AKC requires them to have a docked tail

Parti Yorkies are truly unique and beautiful dogs. A recessive gene causes them to have a coat that differentiates them from the Traditional Yorkie. They are now recognized by the AKC for the beauty they truly possess. I hope you found this article helpful. We love our Partie Yorkie, Peanut, so very much.