So…what’s the big fuss? Parti Yorkies ARE Yorkshire Terriers, but with different pigmentation.
The Parti gene can only be expressed if a parti gene carrier is bred to another parti gene carrier. A carrier will look like a traditional colored Yorkshire Terrier but is born with maybe some white on it’s chin, chest and/or feet. In this case where a parti carrier is bred to another parti carrier, 25% of the offspring will be traditional Yorkies (not carrying the gene), 50% will be traditional colored Yorkies who do carry the recessive parti gene and 25% of the offspring will be actual Parti colored dogs. AKC has allowed Parti colored Yorkies to be eligible for registration since 2000.
Many people have the mistaken notion that a Parti Color Yorkie is not eligible for AKC registration. In fact, Parti Colored Yorkshire Terriers can be registered with the AKC. However, for show purposes, while they are accepted in the obedience ring, Parti Yorkshire Terrier Pups are not yet eligible to be shown in the confirmation ring. The term “parti” refers to their color not the breed. When you register a “Parti Color” Yorkshire Terrier with AKC you must send in 4 pictures, one of each side of the dog. When your AKC registration papers are returned to you they are registered as Yorkshire Terrier and stated on the papers is their color, ie, Blue and Gold Parti Color, Black and Tan Parti Color and so forth. You cannot register a Parti color Yorkie online at AKC website because you MUST send in photos of the dog in order to have the “Parti Color” listed on their papers.
The most prolific known line of Parti Yorkies is the “California line” or Nikko’s line. These dogs are all descendants of an AKC Champion named Nikko’s Rolls Royce Ashley. In 1983, a Yorkshire Terrier named “Nikkos Rolls Royce Ashley” won the Best of Show at Crufts and was selected Dog of the Year. This Yorkie Stud went on to become the patriarch of our exclusive line of AKC registered Parti Color Yorkies. The AKC officially accepted our Parties after voluminous DNA-tracing. Two dedicated breeders in California, fought to get this line of Parti colored Yorkies, registered by AKC. This line of Parti carriers and Parti colored Yorkies comes from a well known show breeder who’s been breeding and showing for over 40 years. Forty-two litters and generations of dogs from this line were DNA’d prior to AKC’s approval of registration.
Parti Yorkies come in various colors, such as Chocolate (red), Blonde (white/gold), Blue-black and commonly recognized as white with brown and black. These pups are becoming more popular within the Yorkie community…and the best part is that these Parti Yorkies have the same characteristics of the Traditional Yorkshire Terriers that we all love!
General Appearance
That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog’s high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self-importance.
Head
Small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, with the bite neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissors bite or level bite is acceptable. The nose is black. Eyes are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color and sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression. Eye rims are dark. Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not too far apart.
Body
Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.
Legs and Feet
Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when viewed from behind, but stifles are moderately bent when viewed from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.
Tail
Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
Coat
Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat appearance.
Colors
Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are matured. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs, to which the following color requirements apply: Blue: Is a dark steel-blue, not a silver-blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs. Tan: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.
Color on Body
The blue extends over the body from back of neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker blue, especially at end of tail.
Headfall
A rich golden tan, deeper in color at sides of head, at ear roots and on the muzzle, with ears a deep rich tan. Tan color should not extend down on back of neck.
Chest and Legs
A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs.
Weight
Must not exceed seven pounds.
Disqualifications:
Any solid color or combination of colors other than blue and tan as described above. Any white markings other than a small white spot on the forechest that does not exceed 1 inch at its longest dimension.
In the 19th century, a group of Scottish weavers migrated to England, bringing along different types of terriers to hunt rats. Dogs were bred for their useful qualities, let alone their looks and purity. The terriers that belonged to the group of immigrants were eventually crossed, resulting in terriers with “broken hairs.”
In 1870, a “broken-haired Scotch terrier” was named as a Yorkshire terrier because these types were bred in a town called Yorkshire. Soon enough, word was getting around that a sire named Huddersfield Ben, who was born in 1865 that great quality dogs were coming from Huddersfield Ben. He was considered an ideal dog, who was a champion ratter with charming looks and personality.
These Yorkshire breeders kept their breeding methods a secret from their competitors, assuring them buyers. Therefore there aren’t enough accurate records of their breeding methods. These breeds were officially called Yorkshire Terriers, where this breed was perfected.
Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred to be specialists in killing rats. In fact, they were, and still are thought to be more reliable than cats. They were even bred to bark when they found their prey, letting their masters know where they are. Shortly, the mining industry had a high demand for Yorkshire at the time, because the mines were full of rats.
Back then, you would always find a dog next their to their master. A Yorkshire Terrier would go to work in the mines to kill rats and then come home with his master to the family. Yorkies began to be great companions and excellent watchdogs as well. Even their coats became shiner and silkier from the maintenance they’d receive from home. The minors would eventually go to work without the dogs, and the dogs became pampered the family.
It is thought that the sire Huddersfield Ben originally weighed about thirty pounds. As the need for working dogs decreased through time, the demand for small dogs increased and became more domesticated.
The Yorkshire Terrier became increasingly smaller and smaller through time. In the late Victorian era, they became fashionable pets in England. Yorkies were then brought to the United States in 1972 and became the country’s favorite pet. The trend was to have the Yorkie to get even smaller, with adults scaling at a mere three pounds. The newer breeds needed very little exercise, looked spectacular and was very trainable.
The Yorkshire Terrier, as of 2006, is the second most popular purebred dog in America.
As much as want our little Yorkies to stay as healthy as possible, they still have health problems.
They are commonly prone to bronchitis and early tooth decay. They also have poor tolerance of anaesthetic and sensitive digestive system. Therefore exotic treats should be avoided.
Sometimes they can suffer from paralysis in the hindquarters that are caused by herniated disks and other problems of the spine. Yorkies have fragile bones, where knocks and falls cause fractures.
Toy “teacup” Yorkies often have serious health problems, along with abnormal behaviors.
Yorkies need to be fed dry food (canned food may be included) so they can have strong and clean teeth. It’s important to have their teeth cleaned to keep them from falling out, or from creating infections.
Yorkies being adventurous and curious, your household could be a dangerous and deadly zone for your little Yorkie if you’re not aware of what’s left out or an easy reach. These 10 items can kill your Yorkie if swallowed:
1. Antifreeze
2. Chocolate
3. Bleach
4. Tylenol
5. Watch Batteries
6. Moth Balls
7. Fabric Softeners and other detergents
8. Mouthwash
9. Peach Pits
10. Household Plants
Yorkshire terriers are considered high maintenance, be it from grooming or health situations, however it’s well worth the attention because Yorkies provide love and warmth in your life.
Yorkies are very eager to please their owners. They especially love to receive praise and attention!
They are easy to train however require consistency or they will quickly learn bad habits. They have natural intelligence which allows them to figure out ways to get around following commands if not consistently trained.
It is important to socialize your Yorkie as early as possible, to prevent them from becoming anxious in new places. Socialization also helps your Yorkie understand that not all strangers or other animals are dangerous.
Yorkies benefit from crate training (for housetraining) as it gives them a safe place to go that is similar to a den. This is a good idea if you have lots of visitors and the Yorkie is upset or requires a bit of relaxation.
It is also an excellent way to travel with your Yorkie, as they become accustomed to the crate while in the car, train or airplane. It gives them a real sense of security and is not a cruel way to carry your dog at all!
Here are some tips that you might want to consider when training your Yorkie:
- Work with your dog every day. Yorkies have a short memory and attention span, similar to that of a small child. If you skip a day of training she will forget what she has already learned.
- Use treats as a reward when your Yorkie does what you are trying to teach her to do. That way she will know what is expected of her and be motivated to please you.
- Speak in a firm tone when reprimanding her. She will know by the tone of your voice that she has done something that is not acceptable.
- Allow for lots of playtime between training sessions. Your Yorkie will learn faster if she is allowed to stretch her legs and play in between sessions.
- Train your Yorkie when it is just the two of you. Other people or animals are too much of a distraction. Allow her to focus on you and your voice.
- Teach only one command at a time. Wait until she has mastered a command completely before beginning to teach her a new one.
- Use the same exact wording for each command you teach. If you want your Yorkie to sit, then only use the word sit. If you say sit down or anything else she will become confused and not know what to do. Think back to when you were trying to learn a new language. One word can change the meaning of a sentence and you may have difficulty figuring out what is the correct way to say something. It is the same for your Yorkie. She will try to figure out what you want, so keep it simple with one word or a short phrase.
Sources: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green ; http://www.myyorkiesecrets.com/