Yorkshire Terriers are charming little decorative dogs, loved by millions of people around the world for their perky disposition and chic appearance. The main pride of their breed is their wool, long and thick, descending in waves to the very floor.
However, the most beautiful feature of the breed is also the most difficult part of caring for it. Yorkies require regular, and quite frequent compared to many other dogs, trimming and shaving. Only correct, timely grooming helps them maintain their appearance and health.
How to properly cut a Yorkshire Terrier?
Yorkies up to 4 months of age only require hygienic care! It’s too early to do hairstyles, but the general shape of the haircut needs to be maintained, for example, trimming the hair on the paws and ears, trimming the cut ends of the hair.
When cutting the private parts of a Yorkshire Terrier, it is better to use scissors, but if you still prefer a clipper, choose a long attachment. These areas have very delicate skin that is easily injured and quickly becomes irritated. It is better to leave the hair on the testes longer. The belly of male dogs is exposed higher to the chest than that of females, since the long hair on it can get dirty when urinating.
Types and frequency of haircuts
Yorkies have thick fur and can grow quite long. This is what distinguishes the breed from other representatives of “lap” dogs. At the same time, pets have no undercoat. On the one hand, this makes care easier, on the other hand, it requires constant attention from the owner.
The beautiful fur of Yorkies is a real sight to behold.
You can trim your Yorkie yourself or in a special salon with a hairdresser. To correctly explain to the groomer what kind of haircut needs to be done, you need to know the main types and varieties of the procedure. These include:
- Hygienic. A mandatory procedure that helps maintain the health of the pet is carried out regularly, starting from six months. Hair is removed in the groin area (the genitals, anus, base of the tail, and underarm are treated), the armpits, ears, around the eyes, and always the claws are trimmed. There are no restrictions, the purpose is to remove overgrown hair.
- Cosmetic. The requirements for this type of haircut are set by the exhibition organizers; without meeting specific standards, the dog will simply not be allowed to participate. In addition to standard hygienic treatment, tufts of hair between the paws are removed, the remaining hair is combed and carefully trimmed.
- Model. Allowed only when the dog is not planned to be exhibited for evaluation (exhibitions and the like). The only limitation is the imagination of the owner and groomer.
Attention! The only thing that must be taken into account when cutting is the hair structure of the coat and its thickness. Otherwise, the look “like in this picture” may simply not work out.
Model haircuts can be anything, the main thing is a professional approach
How often should you trim your hair?
Your Yorkie Biewer should be groomed regularly. However, the frequency of procedures varies from person to person – even dogs of the same breed have different hair growth rates. It depends on the diet, activity, and unique characteristics of a particular dog.
A separate point is show pets. These cats are rarely cut, growing long, thick hair, and the ends are trimmed if necessary. Hygienic haircut is another matter. It is necessary to treat ears, claws and other places constantly, as the hair grows.
Do I need to cut my Yorkie's hair for the winter?
Yorkies are a decorative breed. Dogs have no undercoat, and their hair is similar in structure to human hair: they do not provide warmth. Your dog should be groomed regularly. Otherwise, health problems may arise.
Attention! The main misconception is that the pet will be warmer. This is not true, a hygienic haircut is necessary, and your pet should be warmed with clothing that fits the size.
In winter, dogs are also often cut, but clothes and boots are selected
Grooming a Yorkshire Terrier: at home or at a groomer
How to cut a Yorkie - at home or at the groomer - each owner decides independently. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Professional grooming is the key to a high-quality pet haircut. The master has the necessary equipment, education and experience.
Attention! Before visiting a salon, you should read reviews about it, talk to other clients, and make sure that the staff is professional groomers. You can only trust your dog to a qualified specialist.
Another option is to invite a groomer to your home. In this case, the cost of the service will increase, and you will also have to adapt to the schedule and look for a time that is convenient for everyone.
The main advantage of cutting hair at home is saving money. The procedure is regular, so costs do not decrease throughout the pet’s life. At the initial stage, you will have to familiarize yourself with the nuances of the procedure and purchase some equipment.
How often should you brush your Yorkie?
There is no exact answer to this question. Some people comb it every day and more than once a day, others think that it harms the dog’s skin and coat and do it every other day. The main thing is to prevent the formation of tangles. You should not comb a Yorkie with heavily soiled (matted) coat; this procedure will damage the coat. Do not immediately buy expensive cosmetics for dogs in large bottles. It may not suit your Yorkie, because everyone's coat structure is different. An indicator that the cosmetics are suitable: after bathing the Yorkie, the hair does not mat in “icicles”, does not break off, and dandruff does not form. You can't wash Yorkies with human shampoos, we have different pH levels.
First time
The very first time the scissors touch the puppy's hair is quite early. Already at 3 months, before moving to a new home, the breeder carries out the first haircut procedure, removing excess hair in areas where it can cause harm:
- On the ears.
- Under the tail.
- Between the paw pads.
Then the young animal moves to live in a new home. He has about a month before the next procedure to get used to his surroundings and his owner. At 4 – 4.5 months the first adult haircut is performed. If the dog is a show dog, then it is hygienic. If the Yorkie is kept as a pet, then from now on you can experiment with its appearance.
To bathe your Yorkie you will need:
- Mild shampoo. I am of the opinion that you should bathe your Yorkie once a week. The purpose of shampoo is to cleanse the skin and coat of dirt. Shampoos contain substances that are necessary for the coat. It is very important to use products that “return” what the shampoo washed away. It is very important to be careful when choosing shampoo. Shampoo can undo years of grooming.
- Air conditioner. Conditioner should be used to restore the loss of vitamins and fat during daily care. The conditioner should be left on for one to two minutes for optimal results, even though it should not remain on the coat. Wool needs time for the conditioner to absorb. Conditioners smooth out the outer layers of the hair, helping to keep the ends healthy. This will add more shine to the Yorkshire Terrier's coat and keep it in perfect condition.
At home
Regular visits to a professional dog groomer can take a serious toll on the owner’s wallet, as their services cost quite a bit. Therefore, most breeders prefer to deal with everyday, routine coat shortening and trimming on their own, going to the salon only in preparation for an exhibition or to get a new unusual hairstyle.
If you don't have experience with this, then don't be afraid to try. Modern technologies provide ample opportunities. Thanks to detailed video lessons, today everyone can take care of their dog themselves. To do this, it is enough to have a little free time, a little knowledge and the necessary tools.
Tools
This is the biggest expense item, since in order to properly care for the fur of a small animal, you will have to choose professional scissors and clippers. Naturally, there are cheaper options, but they will only harm the woolen fabric and quickly fail. When purchasing grooming equipment, remember that they will be used for many years.
To independently care for your Yorkshire Terrier you will need:
- Large hairdressing scissors with straight, long tips. It must be a professional, well-sharpened tool made of excellent steel, otherwise it will spoil the hairs, jam them, and at the same time quickly become dull.
- Small scissors with rounded tips, like manicure scissors, for working with small details on the face and paws, must also be of high quality and very sharp.
- Machine . A human version is not suitable for such a small dog. Buy a specialized device specifically for small dogs. Choose a quality item with a set of metal attachments. The most important thing in a machine is the attachments. Plastic ones will do more harm than good, as they strongly electrify the fur and break quickly.
- The trimmer is useful for working with small areas on the face, ears and paws. You will use this device constantly, trimming your hair as it begins to grow, so you cannot skimp on it. Choose a durable model made from quality materials.
- Combs . You will need a whole set. Two combs with teeth of different lengths and frequencies made from natural materials. Brush with natural bristles.
- A variety of hairpins, elastic bands, bows and rhinestones.
Remember! It is necessary to accustom the puppy to all devices long before the first experience of cutting hair. He should be well aware of the sound of the working machine and trimmer, the clicking of scissors, so as not to be afraid of them. If you try to work with an unprepared dog, then care will turn into torture for both the animal and the owner, since the animal will constantly fidget and try to escape, which means it can accidentally harm itself. Start teaching sounds from a very early age.
Hygienic haircut
The owner can perform these simple manipulations independently if he has the appropriate tools. For this, a high, comfortable place with good lighting, tools and simple skills are enough.
How to do it:
- Split ends really spoil the appearance, but getting rid of them is easy. Comb the fur and divide it into strands, which you then twist into tight strands. All hairs sticking out need to be shortened a little, then the entire hair fiber will look smooth and well-groomed.
- The ears are carefully trimmed by 1/3. At the same time, it is important to remove all the hair from the inside; it is on them that all the dirt and sulfur that bother the dog accumulates.
- The muzzle also needs trimming with a trimmer and small scissors. It is necessary to carefully shorten the hairs around the eyes.
- All protruding hairs on the paw pads are cut off so that they do not roll down and interfere with walking. Claws are trimmed.
- The intimate area is an important part of the process. The wool is cut as short as possible.
A hygienic haircut once a month or a month and a half is one of the conditions for the well-being and healthy appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier.
Rule #5
Vaccinations and treatment against ectoparasites.
Each owner carefully monitors the health of his quadruple friend: he vaccinates on time, treats the wool, and regularly deworms. Before going to the salon, the animal must be treated for ectoparasites and vaccinated.
In turn, we understand that going to the groomer is the most important stage in the socialization of an animal. Of course, all four-legged animals are afraid of many things, and such a “going out into the world” will be a definite challenge for them. We will try to ensure that your pet has the best, most pleasant impressions of beauty treatments. Before the start of the session, our masters must communicate with the animals, trying to win them over. We will make every effort to ensure that the meeting is held in positive tones, and in the future your pet will go for a haircut without fear, calmly bathe and willingly expose its fur to combing.
Rule #4
Tell the groomer about the animal's characteristics.
Before the procedure, the groomer carefully examines the animal and sees everything that is on the skin and body of the animal, but only the owner can know about such things as cardiovascular diseases or any other health pathologies. Be sure to inform us about all this during your visit, this will protect your pet and make our work easier.
Be sure to tell the groomer if you know that the animal may be aggressive or allergic, or if the animal has had a negative grooming experience before. Our groomers are professionals in their field who can easily find a common language with any animal; they carefully and attentively treat all problems in the animal’s health.
It is also recommended to postpone a visit to the groomer if the dog is in heat.
Features of keeping a Yorkie
To prevent your pet from becoming a source of inconvenience and trouble, you need to know everything about the Yorkshire Terrier. From the first days, a schedule of hygiene procedures is drawn up. They take into account the characteristics of the coat, which needs to be looked after daily, combed, and trimmed if necessary. Yorkie is taught to wear clothes to reduce the risk of colds. If behavior problems arise during the training process, you should seek advice from a dog trainer and make adjustments.
Owners of mini terrier bitches need to exclude the possibility of breeding, since their size does not allow them to successfully bear and give birth to offspring.
Rule #2
Do not feed 2 hours before procedures.
If beauty treatments are scheduled for the morning, it is better not to give your pet breakfast. If for the day or evening, it is advisable not to feed 3-4 hours in advance. This rule is due to the fact that if you feed the animal right before the procedures, there is a possibility that the food will not be absorbed or the animal will want it as needed. In this case, the animal will become nervous, show increased activity, twitch, thereby preventing the groomer from carrying out all the necessary activities efficiently and quickly, and in the worst case, behave more aggressively than usual.
Yorkie haircut for girls
Girls must have long bangs, as housewives love to do their hair with bows and hair clips. The haircut is modeled so as to leave long hair for a “skirt” on the hind legs and abdomen.
Suitable hairstyle for girls:
- model;
- hygienic;
- French braid;
- skirt.
To make a braid, the master leaves long hairs on the back. They are used to weave either a French braid or several simple ones.
