A Parti Yorkie is a purebred Yorkshire Terrier with a color pattern that includes white — typically a mix of white, black, and tan, which is why they're often called tri-color Yorkies. A standard ("Traditional") Yorkie is born black and tan and matures into a blue-and-tan coat with no white at all. A Parti carries a recessive color gene that adds white patches to that pattern instead.

Are Parti Yorkies purebred?

Yes. Parti coloring isn't a sign of mixed breeding — it's a naturally occurring recessive gene within the Yorkshire Terrier breed itself. The American Kennel Club began allowing Parti Yorkies to be registered in 2000, after breeders proved through DNA testing that Parti puppies were genetically full Yorkshire Terriers, not a different breed or a mix. Before that, Parti puppies born into standard litters were usually left unregistered.

A Parti Yorkie can be AKC registered as long as both of its parents are also AKC registered — the same requirement as any other Yorkshire Terrier.

Why don't more breeders have them?

Because the color comes from a recessive gene, two Traditional-colored parents can carry it without showing it themselves and still occasionally produce a Parti puppy. Breeding two known carriers gives roughly a 1-in-4 chance of a Parti puppy per litter, which is part of why the color is less common and not every breeder has consistent access to it.

One more distinction worth knowing

Parti Yorkies are fully legitimate, AKC-registered Yorkshire Terriers — but a 2007 rule change by the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America disqualifies any non-blue-and-tan coloring from AKC conformation (breed-standard beauty) shows. That's a showring rule, not a purebred-status question. It has no bearing on health, temperament, or registration eligibility.

At Maranatha Yorkies, every Parti puppy's parents are AKC registered and Embark DNA tested for breed purity, so you have documentation either way.