Yorkshire Terriers that are Mostly or Fully Tan

Overview

Though just about all Yorkies will be black and tan as pups and blue and tan (or gold) as adults, there are some Yorkshire Terriers that appear to be or that are mostly or fully tan. How can this be? There are a few different reasons. This section will discuss this, along with photos.

Reason #1 - Appearing All Tan, But Not Really

The first explanation is the easiest and the most simple.

When viewed from just one particular angle, a Yorkie may appear to be fully tan, as in the case of this little cutie pie (photo left, photo 1 on mobile). This is because the face, chest and legs are tan. However, with blue just on the back, when we gain a different angle of seeing the same dog (photo 2), it is then that you'll realize he is only partially tan, which is the typical coloring for this breed.

Photos 1 & 2 above: Oliver Wellington, courtesy of Lex & Rick

Reason #2 - Appearing Mostly Tan, Short Coat

Since this breed can have a variety of hair cuts and one of them is the short 'puppy cut' where quite a bit of length is taken off the coat, this can remove a lot of the darker hairs.

When a Yorkshire Terrier has a medium or long coat, those dark hairs (blue or black) are going to really stand out and it is normal for the eye to be drawn to darker colors.

However, as you can see from this photo of King (right; below on mobile), when the coat is cut to a short 1/4 to 1/2 inch length, there is much less blue to focus on.

The tan essentially takes over, as far as the eye is concerned and since blue is a faded color, it really blends into the light tan.

King, 7 years old, photo courtesy of Lee

If this Yorkie were to have his coat grown out, his coloring would appear to be completely different. Though, his 'real' coat colors would not be changing; genetically, they are what they are. However, the length of those hairs can really change the dog's appearance. So, if someone were to say, 'This Yorkie doesn't have the correct amount of blue or black', they would be very mistaken.

Reason #3 - Losing a Lot of Black as They Grow

The photo here (below on mobile) shows how a Yorkie can have a coat holding a majority of black as a puppy, but as that dog matures, a lot of the dark color is lost and simultaneously what is left transitions to a blue.

So, here, you have an adult Yorkie that is mostly tan. The coat holds a lot more tan than it used to, which is completely normal with this breed. It happens as they mature and this is an expected transition.

Truffle, as a puppy and then as a 2 and 1/2 year old dog, photos courtesy of Deborah

In addition, you'll notice that the long tan hairs on the back flow over the darker hairs, which lends to the over-all impression of being majorly tan.

Reason #4 - Yorkshire Terriers That Are Truly All Tan with No Black

The last reason, though rare, is possible with this breed.

While just about every single Yorkie is born black and tan (99%) and that black changes over to blue as they mature, there are some 100% purebred Yorkshire Terriers that are fully tan as adults. This is the exception, never the rule, just as there are sometimes, rarely, those that are black and red as adults (known as red legged Yorkies).

Bear, a fully tan Yorkshire Terrier, whose black/blue grew out as he grew up! Photos courtesy of Alexandra G.

For all adult Yorkies, the darker hairs will cover far less of the body than when the Yorkie was a puppy. Present on 60 to 90% of the coat during puppy-hood, it often ends up most prevalent on the back (saddle) as an adult.

So, as the coat is morphing, more tan is coming in, darker hairs are falling out and fading.... and for some Yorkies, the tan overtakes the coat.

While this is considered a fault in show and Yorkies with these coats should not be bred, this is a random even that does not affect the dog in any other way aside from anesthetics (and it can't be denied that Yorkies with all tan coats are cute). And it is not caused by 'bad' shampoos or by too much brushing or any such thing.

It is not even caused by bad breeding practices (unless a breeder purposely breeds a fully tan Yorkie to another that holds mostly tan).

It is simply a genetic color marker that can appear without warning and will not often even be visible until that pup matures. It can take 1, 2 or even 3 years for the black to fully disappear.

You may be wondering if darker hairs can ever grow back in. Frankly, while there may be some odd, random occurrence, in general this cannot happen.

The Genetics Behind Yorkshire Terrier Coat Colors and How this Related to Minimal Blue

Yorkshire Terriers are known for their beautiful, silky coats that are traditionally blue and tan. The breed standard specifies that the coat is dark steel blue (not silver blue) and rich tan. The genetic makeup responsible for this unique coloration involves a combination of alleles (different forms of a gene) at multiple gene loci.

The Basics of Coat Color Genetics:

Coat color in dogs is primarily determined by two pigments: eumelanin (black) and pheomelanin (red). The specific color and pattern of a dog's coat are influenced by various genes that regulate the production, distribution, and expression of these two pigments.

Key Genes Involved:

B Locus (Brown): The B locus, with the dominant "B" allele coding for black eumelanin and the recessive "b" allele coding for brown eumelanin, is not directly responsible for the blue coloration but is essential in the overall color expression. Yorkshire Terriers typically have the "BB" or "Bb" genotype, ensuring the presence of black eumelanin, which is diluted to blue.

D Locus (Dilution): The dilution gene affects the intensity of the eumelanin pigment. The "D" allele is dominant and produces the standard eumelanin color, while the "d" allele is recessive and dilutes the color. For Yorkshire Terriers, blue is achieved when the black eumelanin is diluted. A dog with the "dd" genotype will have diluted black pigment, resulting in a blue coat.

A Locus (Agouti): This locus controls the pattern of color on the coat. The specific alleles here determine the coat's distribution of black and tan colors. Yorkshire Terriers express a pattern where the tan color appears in specific areas (face, chest, legs) due to the influence of alleles at this locus.

Genetic Variation and Tan Dominance:

In some Yorkshire Terriers, the tan color may appear more prominently or almost entirely, covering areas usually reserved for blue. This can occur due to a variety of genetic factors, including modifier genes that influence the expression of the main color genes or variations in the genes responsible for pigment distribution. While the exact genetic mechanisms can be complex and involve multiple genes interacting, the principle remains that these variations are the result of the dog's genetic makeup.

Rarity of Minimal Blue:

The instances where blue is minimal or almost absent are rare and considered a deviation from the breed standard. This could be due to a combination of genetic factors that significantly reduce the expression of the diluted black eumelanin, resulting in a coat that appears mostly tan. It's important to note that while this may be aesthetically pleasing to some, it is not what is aimed for in breeding programs focused on adhering to the breed standard.

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