Yorkshire Terriers can be found in a variety of different colors and sizes today. However, the very first Yorkshire Terriers (often referred to as traditional Yorkies) were born with a black and tan puppy coat and weighted in between 12 and 14 lbs..

Black And Tan Yorkshire Terriers (Traditional)
Traditional Yorkies are still just as popular today as they were back in the 1800s. In most Traditional Yorkies, the puppy coat will grow out to reveal a blue/tan or blue/gold adult coat. If the puppy coat does not break, the adult dog will carry a beautiful black and tan coat for life.

If a Yorkie breaks coat, the color usually starts to change first on its head when the puppy is around 6 months. The blue color found in Yorkies is not the typical blue we commonly use in art. It is more of a diluted black color, and it can be seen in a variety of shades, ranging from a dark steel blue to a shiny silver-blue. The dark steel blue can easily be mistaken for black, but when observed closely in the sunlight, you can see the  difference between steel blue and black. The saturated steel blue color is very difficult to produce.

Traditional Yorkshire Terriers are born with two distinct colors – black and tan. If the puppy carries the parti-colored gene, they may have beautiful white markings on their chest or feet.

Rare And Exotic Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkies nowadays may display a wide range of colors different from the standard ones. The parents of such puppies are carrying certain recessive genes which lead to the puppies having such unique colors. These include parti-colored Yorkies, gold sable Yorkies, and chocolate colored yorkes.

Parti Yorkshire Terriers
Parti-colored Yorkies are often mistaken for a new color variation. However, these beautiful creatures have been around since at least the early 1800s. Yorkie breeders in the early 19th century were known to discretely sell any Parti Yorkies born out the back door, as they were rare and unusual. At that time, it was not understood why the occasional tri-colored Yorkie could be born from two black and tan parents. However, with the advancement of DNA and genetic testing, it was discovered that the Parti Yorkie is a purebred Yorkshire Terrier. A parti-colored Yorkie can display only when two recessive genes are present in the puppy, one from each parent. A Yorkshire Terrier that does not carry the Parti-color gene cannot produce Parti-colored puppies. After thoroughly  researching their history and conducting DNA tests, the AKC concluded that the Parti Yorkies are indeed purebred Yorkshire Terriers differing only in a recessive gene that codes for their exotic coat color. Parti Yorkies most commonly have black, white, and tan coloring. However, here at Blueberry Brook Yorkies, we have also been successful in breeding Chocolate Parti Yorkies and Golden Parti Yorkies. 

Golden Yorkshire Terriers (Tan, Sable, Blonde)
Golden Yorkies (also known as Blonde Yorkies or Sable Yorkies) are extremely rare. They are born with a solid golden color or gold with white markings. For example, they may be solid gold with a white chest or white feet. Golden Yorkshire Terriers can have varying shades and variations of the gold color – from a light blonde to a deep rich golden. For registration purposes, the AKC designates the golden color as tan. 

Chocolate Yorkshire Terriers

Whereas traditional Yorkies are born black and tan, Chocolate Yorkies are born solid brown with tan markings. The Chocolate coloring occurs when both puppy parents carry the recessive Chocolate gene.
Chocolate Yorkies are registered with the AKC as having either Brown, Liver, or Chocolate coloring. Chocolate Yorkshire Terriers have the same temperament seen in the traditional, Parti and Golden Yorkies.