Wow, that is a bold statement, hellbender. I am not about to start a debate/argument here on which mongrel is the "only true" mongrel, but, historically, ALL Chantecler are mongrels in comparison to foundation breeds of fowl, lol. ALL Chantecler are composites of other breeds put together (as are Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, etc). "SOME" White Chantecler lines can be traced to Brother Wilfred's flock, but not all, so saying that "White" are the "only true" Chantecler is false. Some lines have been bred for a longer time than others without outside infusions, but not all of any variety.
The Partridge did not have the benefit of its founder living long enough to establish a firm following for the bird, he died the year they were accepted by the APA. That, along with the ravishes that WWII brought to all Canadian exhibition poultry (the ones in the monastery were not "hit" as hard), made it hard for the Partridge to gain a firm position as a variety.
So, yes, the Partridge is a work in progress and there are many dedicated breeders who are working diligently to refine the genetics to what they need to be, but there are alot of poor looking white Chantecler lines out there too.
Proud to own a bunch of productive partridge colored mongrels and know the history of my breed ... Shel