[Pinehaven]

Some yorkies carry recessive genes for other colors as a result of the non purebred dogs who were used to begin this breed. These genes can be passed on for many, many generations and the faulty colors will appear if one recessive gene carrier is bred to another dog who carries the same recessive gene.

A carrier will pass his recessive gene onto 50% of his offspring, if half of those pups are used for breeding, the carriers will pass their recessive gene onto half of their offspring, so you see how these genes for off color like Parti, continue to be passed down for years and generations.

Off colors have shown up in breeders litters since the beginning of the breed, in addition, well known show breeders like Parquin, Wildweir and Nikkos have had parti pop up in their litters.

In the early years of Yorkshire terrier history, when off color was seen in the litter, the pup was normally disposed of but since AKC now allows off colors to be registered (in 2000) we are seeing more parti, chocolate and golden yorkies.