It may not have been proven but it has also never been disproven. It is documented in numerous books and articles that I've seen online and in printed publications, that the maltese was used to enhance the texture and length of the early yorkie's coat. I won't believe one version over the other, it was way before my time
, but I will use my own judgement and common sense in making up my mind. My own opinion is that, I just don't see how anyone can believe that there were no other color genes in our early foundation yorkies besides than blue and tan.
We're are not just talking about the Maltese spotting genes in our dogs, but any foundation part bred dog who is traced back in our early yorkie history. These were dogs with no pedigree, dogs who ran the streets, dogs who were cross breds. They themselves may look Blue and tan but that doesn't mean that there are no other color genes hidden in their genetic makeup. We've seen recent surprise litters on YT that contain parti colored and traditional colored pups, the same would happen in foundation litters. Just because Swift's Old Crab was the correct color, doesn't mean his litter mate wasn't parti, chocolate or golden colored.
I like to use the attached illustration to make a point. Pictured is a group of Terriers from the 1860 Book of Field Sports by Henry Downes Miles, illustrated by DJ Watkins-Pitchford. The caption under the illustration says the drawing depicts, The Skye Terrier, The Scotch Terrier, The English Smooth Terrier, The Crossed Scotch Terrier, The Dandie Dinmont and The Bull Terrier. A number of these breeds of dogs were used in the creation of the Yorkshire Terrier breed. Note that two of the 6 dogs pictured are parti colored ...
Now, if you can tell me the genetic make up of the parents, grandparents and great grand parents of the dogs in the illustration, and if you can tell me if any of these dogs were or were not used in the bloodstock of our foundation dogs, then will you please give me the a winning lottery ticket number for this week???