Parti Yorkie vs. Standard Yorkie: Key Differences (With Pictures)

Many potential Yorkie owners wonder if there is any difference between the parti Yorkie and the Standard Yorkie. There are actually more similarities than there are differences, but there are a few to speak of.

Both dogs are adorable, intelligent, energetic, and eager to please. The main difference between the parti Yorkie and the Standard Yorkie is their coat colors. A Parti Yorkie has a tri-colored coat with black, white, and tan colors, while traditional Yorkies usually have the classic blue and tan look. When it comes to either dog, you’ll want to know about their personalities, appearance, exercise needs, and any health issues. We’ll give you an overview of these dogs in the sections below, so keep reading!

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Parti Yorkie Overview

You may not be surprised to learn that the parti Yorkie is a part of the Yorkshire Terrier dog breed. This dog is much the same as the Standard Yorkie in appearance, weighing in at between 4 and 7 pounds and standing between 7 and 8 inches in height. They have a life expectancy of between 12 to 15 years as well.

A parti Yorkie is more of a color variation in Yorkies and isn’t limited to just this dog breed. To be fair, the only real difference between a parti Yorkie and a Standard Yorkie is the color variation. A parti Yorkie has unique tri-colored fur made up of black, white, and tan, while a traditional Yorkie has the more common blue- and tan-colored fur.

Personality/Character

The parti Yorkie is a tiny ball of energy. The dog is loving, affectionate, energetic, and eager to please. While they may be small, they have a mighty bark that will alert you quickly to anyone coming to your home. They are protective of their pet parents and can get along well with other pets if socialized and trained to do so.

The parti Yorkie is truly a sweet dog and is the very definition of a lap dog. They are prone to separation anxiety, so make sure someone is home with this tiny pet for most of the day.

Exercise 🐕

While the parti Yorkie is energetic, they are also tiny, so they don’t need as much exercise as larger dogs do. Two walks a day should be perfect for keeping your little friend in shape. Limit the walks to 20 to 25 minutes a piece, as you don’t want to tire your dog out.

They can also chase balls and play with toys in the house to get the exercise they need. They are small, so they can run around almost anywhere to get exercise and stay healthy.

Health Problems

There are a few health issues that you need to watch out for with the parti Yorkie. The best way to prevent your pet from ending up with one of these issues is by taking it to a vet for regular checkups so that any problems can be caught and dealt with early on.

• Dental disease
• Hypoglycemia
• Luxating patella
• Retinal dysplasia
• Liver shunt
• Collapsed trachea
• Pancreatitis

Suitable For:

Parti Yorkies do great with families. However, they’re more suitable for homes with older children, as they can easily become injured since they are tiny. They get along well with some pets if they are socialized and trained early. Because they bond closely to their owners, parti Yorkies have issues when left alone for long periods. Therefore, they’re ideal for families that always have someone at home.

Standard Yorkie Overview

The Standard Yorkie is your traditional Yorkshire Terrier. It is one of the top 15 most popular dog breeds in America. They are stylish, often dressed to the tee, and carried around by the rich and famous. Of course, Standard Yorkies aren’t just for the rich; anyone can adopt or purchase one of these adorable dogs.

The dog is bold, courageous, energetic, and adorable. They are also considered feisty little animals with a big bark in their tiny bodies.

Personality/Character

These tiny dogs have bigger-than-life personalities and a yappy bark to accompany them, so you should never have to worry about someone sneaking up and knocking on your door without being alerted to their presence.

Yorkies are intelligent, but you have to watch them because they have no idea that they aren’t the size of a Great Dane and will pick a fight with larger dogs pretty quickly.

They are loyal, protective, energetic, and always ready to play. This classic lap dog can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long, so make sure you have the time to spend with your Yorke before you make the commitment to give the dog a forever home.

Exercise 🐕

Exercise, as with the parti Yorkie, can be limited to one or two walks a day of about 20 to 25 minutes apiece. It is important to note that this Yorkie is quite stubborn, so they might not do exactly what you tell them to when out for a walk. Although they don’t need as much exercise as some breeds, Yorkies need daily exercise to prevent obesity.

Obesity can be detrimental to any breed, but the Yorkie’s joints and tiny legs can suffer if it puts on too much weight.

Health Problems

As with the parti Yorkie, there are a few health issues you should also be on the lookout for with your Standard Yorkie. If you see any signs of these possible health conditions, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet for a checkup immediately.

• Obesity
• Patellar luxation
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Portosystemic shunt
• Hypoglycemia
• Collapsed trachea
• Reverse sneezing

Suitable For:

Standard Yorkies are great for people who live in apartments, people who live in the city, and pet parents who love to take their pets everywhere they go. It is best to keep this dog with a family with older children so the dog doesn’t end up injured. If socialized and trained properly, Standard Yorkies get along with children and other pets.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

When it comes to choosing between the parti Yorkie and the Standard Yorkie, there are not many differences to speak of. The coloring is the most significant difference, but the rest of the dog’s appearance is pretty much the same. The choice of which breed is right for you might come down to the availability of puppies you find from a reputable breeder, as parti Yorkies will be more difficult to find than standard Yorkies.

The best way to determine which of these Yorkie puppies is best for you and your family is to do your research, talk to friends and family who have one, and then decide based on what you discover. If you decide to adopt either of these Yorkies, remember that dogs are a huge responsibility and that either of these dogs is going to expect to go where you go and need a lot of attention. If you give them the attention they crave, they’ll return that attention and love for years to come.

• See also: Toy Poodle vs Yorkie: The Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Top - Parti Yorkie (Sam Lion, Pexels) | Bottom - Standard Yorkie (Josch13, Pixabay)