White Yorkies, Parti Yorkies and Biewer Yorkies. They are the newest confusing sensations about Yorkshire Terriers.
There have been a lot of exchanged words, sentiments, bad and good vibes about these Yorkies. But if read enough about them, you’ll begin to see a trail of similarities in them.
The universal truth is there is a definite possibility that all of them are considered rejects back when the English people were perfecting the breed of the Yorkshire Terrier. In order to attain these colors, a gene that is white or silver must be present among the breeders in order to achieve breeding these colors.
The main differences in these dogs are the amount of colors on their backs. White Yorkies are dominantly white, Parti Yorkies have mixes of white and standard colors and Biewer Yorkies are also a mix. It is safe to claim that White and Parti Yorkies are pretty much the same. It just happens that there is more white in the coats of the white Yorkies. The temperaments will vary, no one can dictate and genetically engineer their behaviors.
For some understandable scenarios, the Parti Yorkies are accepted now in the AKC. Pending DNA tests, or submission of registration numbers, these Parti Yorkies can be considered for recognition. Although once accepted, they may not be called Parti Yorkies, just plain Yorkshire Terriers. It’s funny to think that the AKC people back then may have found themselves in a fix when two AKC registered Black and Tan Yorkies from the Nikko Rolls Royce lines suddenly produced white offspring. Imagine being forced to reconsider old tradition that Yorkies can not be white.
On the Biewer’s case, it may take time before the AKC an the CKC recognize this breed if at all they will. Some organizations and other smaller scale clubs have accepted these Biewers into their books, mostly in the UK. This German originate will have to earn it’s way into the politics of Kennel Clubs in the US and Canada.
In my own humble mind, I believe the White Yorkie, Parti Yorkie and Biewer Yorkies are from one and the same origin which is Yorkshire. I believe these 3 colored dogs are bi-products of breeding practices in the olden days. It takes both parent breeders to have the genes present in them to produce Biewer, White and Parti. For me, there isn’t much to compare, they come from the same origin, bred for the same purpose, may have the same stories to tell, have the same genetics, and will have the same future.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Read the AKC book: “Parti” yorkies are NOT accepted by the akc. They must be blue/tan, black/tan, etc. NO white heads, backs, legs, none of that. The breed standard is the breed standard, and it is set for a reason.
Go to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and you’ll see an article about “Parti” yorkies—and how they are NOT accepted by the AKC.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Tammy Ellis, I’m afraid Parti colored yorkshire terriers are accepted and registered by the AKC (as are other off colors). Off colors are not allowed to show in Conformation classes (neither is black and tan or light blue and gold adults because of the DQ rule) but off colors can be shown in other AKC sponsored events.
The Yorkshire terrier standard was written over 100 years ago, back in the days when color genetics and recessive genes weren’t understood. Parti has been showing up in the breed since the beginning of the breed as noted in this book written in 1904 “A manual of toy dogs: how to breed, rear, and feed them By Mrs. Leslie Williams” Page 39. Book can be found/read on books.google.com. If you do your research, you’ll find many early writing of off colored yorkshire terriers including parti but these colors were normally given away and often times destroyed.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:56 am
AKC does recognize them however they can not do shows. They can get registered AKC papers. But Can not show because their coloring is a disqualification. End of Story……but none of this really matters because they are simply gorgeous dogs. Better in looks than the acceptable colors. When I was looking to get a dog I was stuck between the traditional yorkie and the maltese…….I really coudn’t decide…..and then I found these beautiful Biewer Yorkshire Terriers A La Pom Poms……fell in love got two and then purchaced a Parti Yorkie…..Love love love my White Yorkies.