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Originally Posted by TexasKat08  These books were (in some cases) written over 100 years ago. DNA and the ability to research genetics is a modern science, providing indisputable proof. I imagine these books are based more on an assumption of the facts as determined by the the (visual) evidence. "Genetics of the Dog" was published in 1989. Is there some other reference guide written more recently that provides genetic proof that the yorkie carries the Piebald gene? I'm curious because I have been studying the yorkie breed for about 5 years and I haven't seen one. |
Yes, many of these books were written prior to, during and shortly after the Yorkshire Terrier became a recognized breed with the Kennel Club in England in the late 1880's. Who better to ask about the dogs that went into the breed, then the people living during the time when that breed began?
As for the more recent books you mention, that "provide genetic proof" that the yorkshire terrier carried or did not carry the parti gene, I don't belive that any of the recent books or theory's have
proved that the early YT dogs did not carry genes for off color unless someone was able to dig up some of the first Yorkshire terrier graves and extract DNA to prove that these dogs did not carry genes other than the ones that Willis speculated that all Yorkshire terriers
should carry. Even if some lines of modern day Yorkies were tested for the certain coat colors or coat patters that tests are currently available for, not all lines of yorkies will carry for off colors but some will (much to the breeders surprise).
The yorkshire terrier did not start out by breeding purebred, blue and tan, long haired dogs who's pedigrees were known. It began by breeding dogs of unknown heritage who carried unknown genes. It's those early genes that are still being passed on in some of todays Yorkshire terriers
