The white Yorkshire terrier has sparked much debate amongst Yorkshire terrier lovers. Some believe that his white fur was a product of crossbreeding. Others claim white Yorkshire terrier is a purebred Yorkie with a very rare coat colour.
Let us find out the truth about whether or not he is a mixed-breed or purebred dog. We will also talk about the possible factors that allow breeders to create white-coloured Yorkies.
1. White is a controversial coat colour in the Yorkie breed.
Pure white is a naturally occurring coat colour in many dog breeds, such as the Samoyed and the Bolognese, but not for the Yorkie. For this reason, many dog enthusiasts believe the White Yorkshire Terrier is a hybrid dog.
Crossbreeding is one of the few ways to achieve a coat colour that is non-existent in the breed. It is assumed that White Yorkies are produced by mating a Yorkshire Terrier with white-coated breeds such as:
- West Highland Terrier
- Maltese
- Biewer Terrier
- Morkie (Maltese Yorkie mix)
However, several White Yorkshire Terrier breeders claim that their dogs are purebred. As there is no scientific documentation about White Yorkies, the only way to prove that their pooches are purebred is through genetic testing.
2. The White Yorkshire Terriers are not recognised by kennel clubs.
White is not a natural coat colour in Yorkies. Thus, organisations like the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club in the UK do not acknowledge it as a part of the breed’s standard colouring.
In general, Yorkies have black and tan coats when they are young. As they mature, their coat colour slowly transitions into blue and gold. However, there are other colourations widely accepted in kennel clubs.
According to the breed standard, the acceptable colours of Yorkshire Terriers are:
- Black and Tan
- Black, Blue, and Tan
- Blue and Tan
- Blue Steel and Tan
- Steel Blue
- Steel Blue and Tan
- Steel Blue, Black, and Tan
- Steel Grey and Tan
A White Yorkshire Terrier cannot be registered in the aforementioned kennel clubs. This also means he is not fit to join contests related to these organisations. If you aim to show your dog, consider owning a Yorkie with standard colouring.
3. Pure White Yorkshire Terriers are difficult to find.
Are White Yorkies rare? White Yorkies are certainly rare dogs since their colouration is not naturally found in the breed. You will have higher chances of seeing Yorkies with white-fur markings than with an all-white coat.
Another frequently asked question by dog lovers is: “What is the rarest colour of the Yorkie?” There are a few colours in Yorkies deemed as rare, including pure blonde and solid chocolate.
It is also speculated that Yorkshire Terriers with these coat colours were created through crossbreeding to achieve such rare colourations.
4. Certain genes can introduce white colouration in Yorkies.
Selectively breeding dogs with certain genetic patterns may produce All-White Yorkshire Terrier puppies. Here are some genes hypothesised to have contributed to Yorkies’ white coats:
Piebald Gene
Piebald spotting in canines is caused by the S locus in their DNA. It is characterised by blotches of 2 distinct colours on their fur.
Some believe White Yorkie puppies might be a product of an extreme white-spotting gene. They may appear completely white but have small patches of other colours on their fur.
It could result from inheriting 2 copies of the recessive piebald genes. However, this is merely a speculation. Scientists are yet to prove that this is possible.
Note that the piebald gene is not common in the Yorkshire Terrier. Hence, the breed’s coat does not possess white spots. Beagles are one of the most common carriers of this gene.
Merle Gene
The merle gene produces a pattern of dark blotches of colours over a lighter shade of the same colour. Owning 2 copies of this gene, which is called double merle, can result in having a nearly all-white coat.
However, double merle Yorkie puppies are rare to come by since the gene is very uncommon in the breed. These pooches come at a high price due to their extremely rare coat pattern.
Be warned that merle has been linked to several genetic health risks, such as hearing loss and blindness. Dogs with double merle genes are even more likely to develop these health issues.
Red Gene
The E locus of a dog’s DNA carries the red gene. It is responsible for the red pigmentation commonly found in the coats of the Golden Retriever and Irish Setter.
Scientists theorise that the red gene can be manipulated to create solid Yorkshire Terrier White dogs. However, they are still working out how this can be achieved.
Parti-Color Gene
The A locus provides parti-coloured patterns on coats. Dogs with this gene will have a white base coat with various patches of other colours.
Breeds like the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel are common carriers of the parti gene. Producing a partie Yorkie is also possible.
According to scientists, the parti-color gene can be modified to create a solid White Yorkie puppy. However, more research is needed to know whether this is truly possible.
5. A genetic mutation can make a Yorkie’s coat all white.
Albinism is a very rare genetic mutation that causes a total absence of pigmentation on the coat and skin. Dogs born with this condition have solid white coats. Their nose, eyes, eye tissues, and skin possess a pinkish tinge.
It is theoretically possible that White Yorkshire Terriers might be products of albinism. That being said, there is no information detailing the history of albinism in the breed. Albinism is more likely to occur in other dog breeds like the Collie and Great Dane.
6. Expect a White Yorkshire Terrier to be expensive
How much is a White Yorkshire Terrier? We cannot provide an accurate White Yorkie price estimation since this pooch is very hard to find.
However, breeders usually place a hefty price on rare dogs. Thus, prepare to spend hundreds or even thousands to own a White Yorkie puppy.
Be sure to only enquire from reputable breeders when in search of a White Yorkshire Terrier for sale. Ensure that their dogs and puppies are truly purebred by asking for genetic testing documentation.
Also, check if both parents and offspring have been health-tested and have health certificates. This will give you peace of mind that your chosen pooch was bred with caution and care, lessening his chances of developing or inheriting health problems.
