Different Colors
 

If the AKC standard were the "save" button and we were working on a very important project would we use it? Then if we decided to make copies and use them in different ways we would still have the original, uncompromised.

I don't personally have a problem with different color variations, or coat textures, as long as the AKC gene pool is protected from recessive genes. The gene pool is a limited and shared resource, kind of like a swimming pool. How clean do we want it to be?

When something new and unique comes along it will catch someone's attention, but for how long, and what is the effect on the breed as a whole. Are we willing to compromise the entire breed on the temporary desires of the day? Why not pursue new variations under a different registry, leaving the tried and true original intact? JMHO :)

Rigger is neutered. Someone told us that the "off color" Yorkie's can have health and skin problems. We did not want to take a chance of passing anything along.

The thoughts above mimic my thinking as well. And at least for chocolates I KNOW there is work being done to have them recognized.

[QUOTE=yorkiekist;2009913]I dont "approve" the breeding of off colored Yorkies. They are not to the standard and never have been.The Yorkie has always been a tan dog with a blue saddle. The breeds used to create the Yorkie were not parti colored, blond or chocolate. There is alot of controversy over how and when the off colors came to be and since there was no DNA or kennel inspections back then, who knows if they are 100% Yorkes or a few mixes that started being bred in and over the years actually started to resemble Yorkies.
/QUOTE]

It's been documented 2 or 3 times on YT in the last 5 months, that a surprise litter of parti or chocolate pups came out of 2 registered, traditional colored parents. These were lines that had never produced anything but the standard colors.

Even though the dogs used to start this breed, may not have been parti, chocolate or blond, it doesn't mean that the founding dogs did not carry the recessive genes of other colors besides tan with blue saddles. Some of the dogs used to start this breed did not have saddles, some were solid colored like Kershaw’s Kitty who was blue with no tan - according to YTCA's history page. Does anyone know what color Kershaw’s Kitty's parents or grand parents or great grand parents were? How about Swift's Old Crab who was a cross bred scotch terrier?

The different breeds and types of dogs who began the breed, were not purebred or papered and it's their hodgepodge of unknown genes that have been passed down through our yorkies for many, many generations. The more prolific a line was, the more chances of passing on their recessive genes.

In other Yorkshire terrier history writings, it states that the Maltese was crossed with the early Yorkie to enhance the coat length and texture, if that is in fact the case (which is different than the YTCA's views) than that's very likely how the parti color wound up in some of our yorkies.

Off colors have been happening since the beginning of the breed but due to people's lack of knowledge in the old days with regards to genetics, it was assumed that mom was messing with the wrong stud. We know today, it takes both parents to carry the recessive genes in order for the parti, chocolate, golden or blue colors to appear.

I feel that a good quality yorkie, isn't a bad color as long as there are no health issues (i.e.: blue borns).

[quote=Pinehaven;2010824]As usuall, you will not change my mind nor I yours. Why would a Maltese create a parti color when they are not a parti color, they are a solid white with no spots? Length of hair also came from the Waterside Terrier(know extinct)and the Skye Terrier which, back then, were very much smaller dogs than they are today and they also got the blue color from them. I believe someone posted the history of the Yorkie by the Wildweir ladies. Its interesting to read.

As you all know, I love the colors. I agree with Sue. They are all yorkies. The yorkie breed carries many hidden genes so when two yorkies, carrying that same hidden gene, are mated, they can produce a variety of colors. Not good, not bad, just different.

They pose no threat to the "standard" traditional colored yorkies, and they do not have any more health issues than any other yorkie.

The information on the YTCA website is not complete. They post what they want people to know.

At one time the maltese was shown in the same class as the Yorkishire Terrier, "Broken Haired Scottish Terriers". It only stands to reason that if they were considered the same type of dog, that they were bred to each other.

A yorkie in any other color is still a yorkie. It's not the color that makes a yorkie, it's the personality.

So, is the Maltese a parti colored dog?

I know this is going to get critized but I believe as long as someone does the research on the genetics and health issues they should not be critized for putting their money time and effort into a particular color or trying for a certain look then let them. For all we know someone who may even come on here and get fussed at and critized could very well be the founder of a breed that in 100 hundred years from people will love as much as we love our yorkies! And yes I love the color of a golden yorkie.

I have wondered about the color variations for a long time. I believe there really are very few "standard" yorkies by color. Winston is without a doubt 100% Yorkie...but yet is he the standard...no, he is not...
So in other words he is no different than the goldens, chocolates...or parti's. So to me a Yorkie is a Yorkie...no matter the color.
Now we are talking color not other health issues, don't get me wrong...I do believe breeders should strive for healthy pups when breeding. But color? I don't know, I've seen a lot of Yorkies and again very few are the breed standard. But I still love them!!!

Agree!

Maybe everyone should just give their opinions and not call anybody out on theirs.

[quote=yorkiekist;2010839]I'm not trying to change your mind but I am trying to educate those who are on the fence so they can see all sides of the story and decide for themselves.

There are several different spotting genes. Dogs can carry one type of spotting gene or a combination of spotting genes, the Maltese would be an example of extreme white spotting. Maltese do have pigment around the eyes, nose, paw pads and when wet, they have freckling on their body.

Some of our parti yorkies are being born now, that are all white (extreme white expression), it will be interesting to see if two solid white parti's will produce litters of all white parti pups? Guess time will tell. :rolleyes:

you want to know something so funny! I have 4 yorkies and out of all of them, Baby get's the most attention! Everyone is always coming up to me and telling me how much they love her dark coloring.

I know a lot of people think you should stick with the standard and not breed other colors but in all honestly, I think people really love the darker colored ones.

You know, I always wondered that. Will someone try to strive for an all white parti (which it will then not be called a parti) or try to go for an all Black parti?

I am with V (good post):D

My perspective is a bit different. First and formost I think we all agree that the health of the offspring is of utmost important.

With that said, AKC is a "club" with rules and regulations. If we are breeding Yorkies with the intent to register them under the AKC Registry, then breeders should breed within the standards. I copied the following exerpt from the AKC site regarding color: Disqualifications: Any solid color or combination of colors other than blue and tan as described above. Any white markings other than a small white spot on the forechest that does not exceed 1 inch at its longest dimension.