arti Yorkies are a unique breed because of their impressive coloring. The Parti Yorkshire Terrier is a completely healthy and beautiful purebred Yorkie, and has been in existence for a number of years, but just like anything "new", there's a lot of skepticism concerning their rarity. I'm exhausted with all the completely inaccurate and negative information that is being presented concerning the Parti Yorkie, so I'm hoping this list of Parti Yorkshire Terrier FAQ's will help individuals better understand them and how they come to be. Please be open-minded and use common sense! Ask yourself ... With the strict guidelines and standards AKC sets on the registration of purebred dogs, would they be allowing registration of the Parti Yorkshire Terrier if they were not purebred dogs? The answer is NO. Parti Yorkshire Terriers CAN BE registered with the AKC as Parti-color. AKC conducted studies of 42 litters, dams and sires, and according to the DNA results, the Parti color has shown to be in the natural makeup of the Yorkshire Terrier. I think you will discover and realize the negative information being presented is by individuals and/or organizations that simply refuse to accept change and admit they were wrong!

WHAT IS A PARTI YORKIE? The beautiful Parti Yorkshire Terrier is quite a remarkable sight to behold and making a huge impact in the USA. The Parti Yorkie is a colored version of the standard Yorkshire Terrier and the result of breeding two purebred Yorkies, who both happened to carry the parti color producing gene. One sometimes cannot tell by looking at a parti carrier that they are a carrier because most of them are traditionally colored, and many I will add, ARE Champions. Since the parti color producing gene is a recessive gene, it will not produce a parti colored offspring unless the gene is carried by both parents. However, the gene can be passed along from one parent to their offspring and lay dormant for many years going completely unnoticed for many generations, to only surface when a parti gene carrier is mated with another parti gene carrier. When this happens the results can produce various coloring in Yorkshire Terriers.

Mystery seems to surround this little terrier of a different color.

WHY IS IT SAID BY SOME THAT "NO WHITE DOG OR DOGS WITH WHITE MARKINGS WERE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER"? Mystery seems to surround this little terrier of a different color. The Yorkshire Terrier is a man-made breed. The original breeders of the Yorkshires were weavers, miners and factory workers, who were illiterate, so no records were kept to truly verify which breeds were used to create the Yorkshire Terrier. Just exactly when and where and how this parti gene became part of the Yorkshire Terrier makeup is unknown and the issue has become a great source of controversy. There is a great deal of speculation and if you research long enough you will no doubt discover many different theories. The truth is, they are all just theories. No one knows for sure.

taken from the AKC Yorkshire Terrier history.... Although the specific breeds that make up the Yorkshire Terrier are not known, some breeds are commonly thought to be its ancestors. The Scotsmen seeking employment in and around Yorkshire is believed to have brought with them certain terrier breeds such as the Clydesdale, Paisley, Skye and Waterside, some of which are now extinct.
Many books have been written noting references to these White Yorkshire Terriers since the 1800s. Earnest Hemingway even wrote about his grandfathers white Yorkshire, Tassel. When the show era started, people began selectively breeding to produce the blue and gold colors we see today and the white terriers, when born were considered inferior and were either put down or discreetly given away. This practice has been followed through the years and even today some show breeders still use the cruel culling process to destroy the parti-colored pups when born. Breeders did not want it known that their highly prized show dog has sired parti colored offspring.

WHEN, HOW AND WHY WAS THE PARTI YORKIE CREATED? These Parti-color pups for years were born more often than was known to the general public. Since they were not considered standard most were killed when born, while others were quietly handed out the back door with the understanding of not saying where the dog was acquired. Show breeders did not want it known that their prized show dogs had produced "off colored" pups.
In the 1980s one show breeder (Nikkos Kennels) refused to destroy the tri-colored pups when born, but instead sold them out the backdoor unregistered. The Nikko's line is the most recognized line that produced the Parti colored Yorkies here in the USA. It is not the only one, but is the most talked about and referred to the most.
Nikko's Kennels was started in 1969 in Long Island and by 1979 had won titles with 17 Yorkshire Terriers.

CH. Nikko's Rolls Royce Corniche was a top show contender in 1983 and 1984, he was out of Nikkos Orange Blossom and CH. Nikko's Mister Independence. From Corniche came CH. Nikkos Rolls Royce, Ashley (Born 6/19/1982). From Ashley, came Nikko's Mickey Spillane (Parti colored - Born 5/3/1992) and Nikko's Silk and Sale (Born 9/9/1991). When these 2 were bred together they had 3 puppies born on 10/15/1997. These pups were Nikko's Great Expectations (Parti colored) Nikko's April in Paris (Parti colored) and Nikko's Golden Charm II (Black & Tan w/White markings). Nikko's Mickey Spillane was the first parti colored, but his AKC papers stated blue and tan because AKC did not acknowledge the parti color at that time. The parti color had been showing up in litters from Ashley since 1984 and Nikkos Kennel had been quietly placing them in pet homes and asking people not to say where they got them.
Crownridge Kennels and Summit Yorkies had obtained parti colored puppies from Nikkos Kennels and wanted them AKC registered with their true parti-colors. So in 1999 they convinced Nikkos Kennel to go to AKC and get them registered as Yorkshire Terriers Parti color.
To understand how they became AKC registered, please keep reading....

CAN THE PARTI YORKIE BE REGISTERED WITH AKC? YES! Absolutely! A common misconception is the YTCA (Yorkshire Terrier Club of America) states that the Parti is not standard, which leads people to believe they are not purebred and cannot be AKC registered. The AKC is a dog registry and does not deny registration on color alone. Parti Yorkshire Terriers can be AKC registered as long as both parents are also AKC registered.
Mrs Loryn Bogren of Crownridge Kennels happened to see one of these back door tri-color beauties and was intrigued by them. So much so, that she followed the person who owned this puppy for 5 miles to get the name of the breeder. After learning the parti colored puppy came from Nikko’s Kennels, she met with Mrs. Lipman (Nikko's Kennels) with the interest to obtain some of these dogs. Mrs. Lipman stated that the dogs could be only be registered as blue and gold as AKC did not have a color code classification for the Parti Yorkshire Terrier.
Mrs. Bogren of Crownridge however was adamant about wanting the dog registered as the Parti- coloring. She told Mrs Lipman of Nikko's Kennel that she would buy every colored pup produced if she would agree to allow DNA to be done on the dogs who produced the unique coloring.
This turned out to be a very lengthy and costly process to Mrs. Lipman (Nikko's Kennels), as AKC shut down her kennel in 1999 for 18 months to conduct DNA studies of 42 litters, sires and dams. She was not allowed to breed, sell or conduct any business during this time. 3 of the dogs tested were owned by Mrs Bogren (Crownridge) and 1 owned by Mrs. Gesmundo (Summit Yorkies). The rest tested were Gloria Lipman's (Nikko's Kennels).
During this study AKC also spoke to many other yorkie breeders about off colored pups born in other bloodlines. Many highly respected breeders finally admitted they occasionally produced these off colored pups. After researching and tracing many lines, it should also be noted that not only Nikko lines, but many other well know lines in the USA and abroad produced Parti colors.
In June of 2000 the DNA studies of Nikko’s Kennel was completed to the satisfaction of AKC. AKC deciding that after a study of the Yorkshire Terrier history and the DNA of the dogs involved in the study, they were satisfied that the color can be produced in otherwise normal litters of Yorkshire Terriers. According to the DNA results from AKC, the Parti color has shown to be in the natural makeup of the Yorkshire Terrier.
Parti Yorkshire Terriers CAN BE registered with the AKC as Parti-color. If you don't want to take my word for it, give AKC a call.

IS THE PARTI YORKIE A PUREBRED YORKSHIRE TERRIER? YES! According to the DNA results of 42 litters conducted by AKC in 1999 - 2000, the Parti Yorkshire Terrier is indeed a purebred Yorkshire Terrier, and the Parti color has shown to be in the nautral makeup of the Yorkshire Terrier. There are Yorkshire Terrier breeders who will argue that the Parti colored Yorkies are not purebred Yorkshire Terriers. However these same breeders could have a traditional colored carrier, perhaps even a champion, that came from the same litter as a Parti Yorkshire Terrier and they would never know that it carried the parti gene. Parti colored Yorkies have been appearing for a long long time, but no one with a champion dog would ever own up to it for fear of being banned from the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (YTCA).

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN A PARTI YORKSHIRE TERRIER AND A TRADITIONAL YORKSHIRE TERRIER? No difference whatsoever, with the exception of color.

WHY DO SOME SAY THE PARTI YORKIE IS AN UNHEALTHY ANIMAL? Certain individuals and organizations are publicizing false information such as this concerning the Parti Yorkie to discourage individuals from purchasing them. This is only a scare tactic to discourage people from admiring the true beauty of the Parti Yorkie. As with any breed, there are healthy Yorkshire Terriers and unhealthy Yorkshire Terriers, regardless of color. Some say the "off color" may be an indicator of a genetic defect. Well, it has been proven through multiple DNA testing that the Parti coloring is in the natural makeup of the Yorkshire Terrier. There are several skin and coat indicators to take into consideration when determining a Yorkshire Terrier's health, and color is NOT one of them. The coat should be shiny and smooth, skin should be supple and clear, not greasy, flaky or bumpy. Healthy puppies have bright eyes, clean ears, pink gums, white teeth, and shiny coats. Healthy puppies are alert, active and enjoy running and playing.

WHY ARE PEOPLE BEING TOLD BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AND/OR WEBSITES NOT TO PURCHASE A PARTI YORKIE? With the resurfacing of the Parti Yorkshire Terrier, certain individuals and organizations had their "toes stepped on", so in defense they are publicizing such information concerning the Parti Yorkshire Terrier to discourage individuals from purchasing them.

WHY IS IT BEING SAID BY SOME INDIVIDUALS THAT "REPUTABLE BREEDERS DO NOT BREED THE PARTI YORKSHIRE TERREIR"? Again, with the resurfacing of the Parti colored Yorkshire Terrier, certain individuals and organizations took many forms of action to discourage the "new" color. I am a reputable breeder who puts the health and welfare of my dogs before money. I have done my research (LOTS of it) and I can say with complete confidence that the Parti Yorkshire Terrier is a healthy purebred Yorkshire Terrier. Reputable Parti breeders are coming together to preserve and protect the Parti Yorkshire Terrier. These reputable breeders are determined to take the Parti Colored Yorkshire Terrier to the forefront, where he can shine and take his rightful place beside his standard counterpart. No matter what, the Parti Yorkshire Terrier is here to stay!

ARE PARTI YORKSHIRE TERRIERS BEING SHOWN AND/OR ALLOWED IN THE SHOWRING? Yes. The YTCA is a club who governs the show standard for the Yorkshire Terriers to compete against in AKC dog shows. In October of 2007, shortly after the recognition of the Parti Yorkshire Terrier, the YTCA elected to add a disqualification to the Yorkshire Terrier standard stating that "any dog of color or combination of colors other then blue and tan or any white markings other than a small white spot on the fore chest that does not exceed 1 inch at its longest dimension". The Parti Yorkshire Terrier CAN compete in AKC agility but are disqualified from showing in AKC sanctioned dog shows due to the white coloring. Reputable Parti breeders are coming together in an attempt to amend this disqualification and are determined to take the Parti Colored Yorkshire Terrier to the forefront and one day be able to be shown in AKC sanctioned dog shows.
Parti Yorkshire Terriers ARE allowed in non-AKC sanctioned dog shows, such as NAKC.

NAKC is pleased to announce the acceptance of the Parti Colored Yorkshire Terrier (PCYT) to it’s Companion Group. The PCYT will be allowed to compete with full recognition and the ability to earn Championship points. As of April 5th, 2010 all PCYT will be allowed to compete at all NAKC events either in the US or Canada and be allowed to earn International Titles offered through NAKC. Should anyone require more information they are welcomed to contact the NAKC office at 352-397-5613.

The Beloved Yorkshire Terrier

Whether you are looking for a loyal companion or a show dog, the Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that has captured the hearts of many. Their rich history and unique characteristics make them a beloved breed that continues to bring joy to countless households.