Last Updated on December 26, 2021 by Griselda M.
How and why do Yorkies change colors? Well, that is an interesting question that comes up to many owners, and we will give you the answers!
The color change in Yorkies happens throughout their aging. Yorkie puppies start with one coat color and when they become adults a different colorway can come up. Usually, major changes happen when the Yorkie is a puppy and becomes an adult, or when it gets older than 8 years.
Other factors can play a big part as well. So, tighten your belt and get the knowledge with this article.
Table of Contents
Why Do Yorkies Change Colors?
Yorkie coat genetics is the sole factor in the change of colors. Cells in the Yorkie develop with 39 consecutive pairs of chromosomes. These genes can define all the physical attributes of your Yorkie.
If one parent passes on a dominant gene and the other a recessive gene, your dog will inherit the dominant gene. You can get rarer, unexpected results if both genes are dominant or recessive. Therefore, each Yorkie is unique in appearance, behavior, and personality.
It all comes down to melanin when it comes to Yorkie colors and how they alter. The color of canines is determined by only two pigments: black pigment and red pigment. All the colors you see in a dog are created by mixing these two pigments to varying degrees.
Yorkies have a dominant black gene as puppies. Yorkies genetics dictates that a portion of the red gene is going to lighten as time passes by, resulting in blue or silver Yorkie fur. In other parts of the body, eumelanin disappears totally, and the body instead creates red pigment.
When Do Yorkies Change Color?
Yorkies will not have their complete expected colors when they are pups. When the puppies are at least 8 to 10 weeks old, their true colors often emerge. The original coloration characteristic markers may become prevalent throughout this lengthy period.
Take the Tri-Colored (Black, Tan, White) Yorkie puppies as an example; these puppies can maintain this color or lighten to become silver or gold as they get older.
The black and white Yorkie puppies are another example. When exposed to the sun, Yorkies develop gray patches or even lovely red accents as they age.
Rare Yorkie Colors
There are a few rare colors that a Yorkie can develop. Many of them relate to crossbreeding. In other words, purebred Yorkies won’t develop them. In addition to that, the A.K.C(American Kennel Club) does not support some of these rare Yorkies colors.
1. Parti colored Yorkie
This breed is distinguished by its blue and tan coloring, as well as a lot of white characteristics. Both parents are required for this color to be combined and come out in a Yorkie strong piebald gene. This doesn’t guarantee that this colorway will appear, but it has a good possibility of doing so.
2. Chocolate colored Yorkies
The b-allele gene causes the chocolate-colored Yorkie to have this exact hue. To get this hue, these Yorkies are usually mated with other breeds. Before you go out and buy a purebred chocolate Yorkie, keep in mind that there is a chance that the puppy will crossbreed.
3. Red-legged Yorkies
Yorkies with black backs and scarlet bellies and legs have a color pattern that comes from an ancestral gene. The wavy and rough coat is another distinguishing feature of this hue.
4. Pure black colored Yorkie
This Yorkie colorway is one of the most uncommon. The black Yorkie is a color combination that can only be attained by crossbreeding. These Yorkies are not pure breeds and will never be.
External Factors That Affect Yorkie Color Changes
There are a few factors that can affect the change of color in Yorkies. As an owner, you need to know these factors, so you won’t get surprised when these changes occur.
One of the main factors that can affect the colorway is the quality of food. Feeding your Yorkie quality foods will let him develop the true colorway.
A nutrient deficit. It is true that a nutrient shortfall can have a negative impact on coat quality and color. Changes in coat quality and color can be caused by a copper shortage or a lack of the necessary amino acids like tyrosine and phenylalanine.
Another factor that can affect the coat color is the Sun. Your dog’s coat might be bleached by the sun’s rays. Some dogs can have a sun-bleached coat, much like some humans who spend a lot of time outside in the summer get sun-bleached hair (typically lighter streaks).
In some rare cases, diseases can affect the coat colors. An example of this is the condition called vitiligo, which is present in humans as well. If your Yorkie has this condition, the black and brown pigmentations shift toward whiter and get lighter. The number one symptom is a white spot on the nose.
Cycles Of Changing Yorkie Colors
When Yorkie pups grow into adults, they change colors in a variety of ways. Every Yorkie’s transition time is different, and it is determined by the combination of genes in its father and dam.
To be declared as a pure breed, a Yorkie’s undercoat must change from black and brown to golden or tan. You can be confident that the Yorkie is a pure breed this way.
We can’t say precisely how long the shift will take, but you should keep track of your Yorkie puppy’s development and acknowledge their coat improvement.
Around the age of 12 weeks, secondary hairs begin to emerge. A dog’s skin and coat may change color from time to time, becoming lighter or darker. The typical fur growth cycle is 130 days. However, this varies in every Yorkie.
Conclusion On The Question – Do Yorkies Change Colors?
So, after all, Yorkies do change colors. One of the biggest factors that play a major part in the change is the genetics of the Yorkie. If you see changes in the color coat, you need to know why it changed and if that process is natural for your Yorkie.
After all, there are other external factors that can affect color change, so quality and a well nutritious diet are mandatory for proper color development.
If you got any other questions about this topic, feel free to comment and discuss them with other Yorkie owners.
Read more about Grooming Styles For Your Yorkie Poo!