What Breeds Make a Yorkshire Terrier?

A Yorkie is a delightful breed of dog. Although they are small in stature, they have a big heart and charm. The Yorkie has a playful side as well and can be both naughty and lovable. Many people wonder, “what makes a Yorkie?”

What Breeds Make a Yorkshire Terrier?

There are no specific crosses that make up the Yorkie. The significant forebears are said to have been the Skye Terrier, Maltese, black and tan Manchester Terrier, now-extinct Leeds Terrier, and possibly the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Other breeds that seem to miss from this crossbreeding include the Clydesdale Terrier, Skye and Paisley Terriers. Yorkies were initially much larger as they were bred as working dogs. 

However, as their reputation (good-looking and dependable working) grew, they became increasingly popular as companion pets for the upper class. Due to this popularity, breeding started, and they began being smaller and smaller until they became their size today.

The Foundation Sire to the Yorkie Breed: Huddersfield Ben

Huddersfield Ben is a well-known Terrier. It is the Yorkie breed’s foundation sire. Below are some facts about this dog;

• The owner gave it the name Huddersfield after the town where it was born. 
• This dog belonged to M.A. Foster, who became well-known after winning over 70 dog show events and numerous Ratter competitions.
• Huddersfield Ben was the most coveted stud dog on the market. While it was (relatively) huge at 11 pounds, Ben routinely produced litters of puppies weighing less than 5 pounds and conforming to the breed standard at the time. 
• This dog died at the age of six in 1871. It had a significant influence on the creation of the Yorkshire terrier breed.

Types of Yorkie Dog Breeds

Do you want a small dog with a lot of personalities to join your family? Then a Yorkshire Terrier could be the ideal dog for you. The Yorkie is a toy-sized terrier with silky golden fur, which makes it adorable.

However, Yorkies tend to have independent personalities, which makes it challenging to potty train them. Sometimes dog lovers get confused by the different types of yorkies and know which Yorkie to buy. That should be the least of your worries since there are various versions of Yorkies, and they all make excellent pets for people of all ages.

Parti Yorkies

If you are a dog lover and want canines that stand out, the Parti version is for you. While all Yorkies are friendly, a Parti Yorkie, or particolor, is the life of the party. Because they are tri-colored, these Yorkies aren’t like your typical blue and tan, gold and black, or blue and gold Yorkie. 

Chocolate Parti Yorkies are generally brown, unlike the traditional Yorkshire terriers that are mostly black. They are generally rare, as they result from a parent who has a double recessive chocolate gene. In most cases, this dog breed has a brown, chocolate, and tan coat. 

On the other hand, golden Parti Yorkies don’t have dark blue or black coloring, and their coats have hues of light blonde and deep gold or solid gold. Parti Yorkies are around 7 to 8 inches tall and weigh around 4 to 7 pounds, making them larger than the teacup Yorkies. 

Teacup Yorkies

Yorkies are little dogs to begin with; however, the teacup versions or miniature yorkies may fit in your pocket. Teacup Yorkies can live for up to 15 years and weigh less than seven pounds. These dogs are so small to the extent that the YTCA and many breeders raise questions about the ethicality of breeding these dogs. 

However, there is no clear definition of a teacup Yorkie or a distinct difference between a teacup Yorkie and a regular Yorkie, as many breeders will sell any Yorkie that weighs less than 4 pounds as a teacup Yorkie. In most cases, teacup Yorkies have a standing height of 5 to 7 inches. 

They are prone to various health problems, including dental disorders, patellar luxation, collapsed trachea, and liver shunts. Prepare to take miniature yorkies to the vet for wellness checks so that the vet can identify any potential health problems before they become more serious.  

Designer Yorkies

Designer dogs have become extremely popular in recent years. Designer Yorkies, sometimes known as “hybrid” dog breeds, are a mix of two different dog breeds.

A Chorkie, for example, is a designer Yorkie that was created by crossing a Yorkie with a Chihuahua. While a Yorkie Poo, is a crossbreed of a Miniature Poodle and a Yorkie.

A designer Yorkie is distinguished from mutts because its breeding was purposely to generate a mixed dog. Some dog lovers prefer a designer Yorkie as they get the best of both worlds and get to experience the best personality features of the crosses.

Black Yorkies

While the majority of Yorkies have two coat colors, a black Yorkie does exist. A black Yorkie is no less loyal or loving than a standard-colored Yorkie, despite its scarcity. In most cases, all-black Yorkies are mixed breeds between a dog with black fur and a regular Yorkie.

Usually, a black Yorkie doesn’t have the glossy coat of the regular types of Yorkies. The coats of these dogs also tend to be more brittle and rough due to the characteristics of the other parent’s breed. Since the American Kennel Club only recognizes the purebred Yorkies, all-black Yorkies might not be recognized and can’t participate in official dog shows.  

Keep in mind that even if a purebred Yorkshire Terrier puppy might look all-black, on closer inspection, you might see white markings or a few patches of tan hair which is not purely black. These patches continue to expand as the Yorkie ages, ending up with the regular coat of a standard Yorkie.

Mismarked Yorkies

For Yorkies, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes four color combinations: black and gold, blue and tan, black and tan, and blue and gold. Any additional color marks, even if the  little pup has the same saddle pattern of a Yorkie is considered mismarked. 

A mismarked Yorkie is equally a great dog, even if they aren’t particularly valued. For instance, you can potty train mismarked Yorkies the same as you would the regular ones. That means these versions are not officially recognized, and might not be allowed to take part in official shows and competitions. 

As a result, most people who want to adopt Yorkies shows might not consider these versions. This makes them have a lower demand compared to the recognized versions. If you are on a tight budget, you can consider going for these versions as most breeders might sell them cheaper than the regular ones.

Biewer Terriers

The Biewer Terrier is a lovely small dog that owes its existence to the Yorkie. This breed began as a Parti-color Yorkie with random markings that covered the usual breed coat pattern. Using “scientific techniques,” the Biewer Terriers are now recognized as purebred dogs and even participate in the toy group competitions.

Generally, a Biewer Yorkshire Terrier requires brushing of their single coats and regular cleaning. In most cases, a Biewer Terrier has better aesthetic looks than the regular types of Yorkies. For instance, the coat of a Biewer Yorkshire Terrier tends to be shiny and reflect in the sunshine especially when well-cleaned. 

How to Care For Different Yorkie Breeds

Regardless of the breed, these dogs are generally small and prone to similar health problems. Although the care practices might differ slightly depending on the breed, the following are some of the common care practices you can use on different Yorkie versions.

• Since Yorkie puppies tend to get easily panicked, it is not advisable to allow them access to all the rooms in the house as they can be overwhelming. Instead, after adopting the dog, designate one room until it feels comfortable to the new environment before allowing it to access the other rooms 
• The small sizes of Yorkies makes them susceptible to overfeeding and obesity, increasing the chances of health issues such as hypoglycemia which can end up in fatal seizures. It’s therefore advisable to consult your vet on the best Yorkie food, amount, and frequency of feeding depending on the dog version and age.
• The small sizes of Yorkshire Terriers make them prone to accidents such as falling from furniture chairs, stepping, or kicking them. Additionally, their bones are fragile, and even minor accidents might lead to bone fractures. The best way to avoid these accidents is to keep the Yorkie in their designated room when running errands.
• Yorkie puppies are delicate and can suffer from respiratory health issues such as hypothermia when exposed to cold. Avoid bathing Yorkie puppies that are less than eight weeks old. Instead, clean them using a damp towel or baby wipes.  
• Since Yorkies are affectionate dogs, there are chances of suffering from separation anxiety if you leave them alone for a long time. One of the best ways to prevent separation anxiety is to provide your dog with play toys when leaving it alone at home and then take it for exercises such as long walks or hiking in the evening. 

Related Questions

Final Thoughts

The Yorkshire Terrier is a fascinating dog breed that dates back to 1870. Owners of the Yorkie will tell you that it is the best companion pet and a guard dog. Its versions are arguably the most adorable among all dogs due to their multiple coat colors.