Not every pet owner knows how to properly groom a dog. In fact, this process is so delicate for a small dog that it is difficult for her to get used to such an activity in the first couple of days.
For some breeds this process is mandatory, but in this article we will tell you what grooming is for a pet and how to do it correctly.
What is grooming
Grooming is a set of measures to care for a pet, including hygiene procedures, combing, trimming, getting rid of mats, cutting and treating claws, and cleaning the area around the eyes. Specialists in this field are called groomers. The tasks of a groomer include tidying up the animal’s fur, ears, teeth, and claws.
Combing is one of the elements of grooming.
There is a misconception that only show or furry dogs need such procedures, but any animal needs care. Regular visits to grooming salons will help maintain the neat appearance and health of your pet for many years.
What is this in general terms?
Grooming is a complex event that includes caring for the animal’s fur, ears, teeth and skin. In nature, grooming is widely developed. From birth, an animal acquires self-care skills; this ability protects its natural fur from harmful environmental factors. Cats and dogs, for example, groom themselves, parrots preen their feathers, and primates catch fleas. For many animals, grooming is one of the most important parts of life, allowing them to exist and strengthen bonds between relatives.
List of breeds that need grooming
The exterior of certain types of animals requires the presence of a breed haircut; owners must periodically contact a groomer:
- poodle;
- spaniels;
- Yorkshire Terrier;
- Shih Tzu;
- Pomeranian Spitz;
- Maltese;
- Bedlington Terrier;
- Bichon Frize;
- Pekingese, etc.
The following breeds should be brought to a groomer for regular grooming:
- Akita Inu;
- Shiba Inu;
- husky;
- husky;
- shepherd;
- Tibetan mastiff;
- corgi;
- mixed breed and other pets with thick undercoat.
Owners of smooth-haired animals, such as:
- Doberman;
- German dog;
- boxer;
- beagle;
- dachshund;
- bull terrier;
- bulldogs, etc.
Representatives of wire-haired breeds need regular trimming:
- Brussels Griffon;
- miniature schnauzer;
- miniature schnauzer;
- Giant Schnauzer;
- West Highland White Terrier;
- fox terrier;
- Airedale Terrier, other dogs with coarse hair.
The importance of grooming for a dog's psyche
Grooming has a positive effect on the dog's mental state. The fact is that they are all good empaths, that is, they clearly recognize the emotions of the people around them. Now think about how a scary, shaggy dog lives? All his life he has felt contempt, fear, and displeasure coming from people. Can a person remain kind and sympathetic if he feels like everyone around him hates him? So the dog becomes angry and aggressive in response.
And a dog that feels admiring glances at itself will give love and adoration to its owner all its life. And the people around you on the street lift their spirits when they look at a beautiful, well-groomed and therefore cheerful dog.
And the breed in this case does not play a role. Remember that bulldog with a bow on his tail! He's not scary at all anymore. You need to love your pets, take care of them, and life will be filled with meaning.
Types of grooming
Grooming is divided into types depending on the goals.
Hygienic
These are care procedures aimed at maintaining a well-groomed appearance of the animal. Includes:
- washing, conditioning wool;
- drying;
- combing;
- removing tangles;
- eye treatment;
- ear care, cleaning and styling;
- shortening nails, treating paws, getting rid of tufts of hair between the pads;
- care of the paraanal glands;
- hygienic cutting of hair on the paws, belly, and groin area.
Hygienic care does not imply a model haircut for your pet. It can be carried out to maintain cleanliness or in the period between breed haircuts.
Professional
This type of grooming allows you to prepare dogs for exhibition. Used for those breeds whose standard includes requirements for appearance. It involves not only cutting, but also styling using special cosmetics for animals.
The goal of professional grooming is full compliance with the exterior, presenting the dog at the exhibition in the most advantageous way, and receiving good marks from experts. You can even hide minor anatomical deviations from the norm, color defects, but this is not encouraged.
Aesthetic
Not all dog owners are concerned only with a show career. In addition to shows, there are various competitions, shows, fashion shows, and photo sessions with pets. Aesthetic grooming helps pet owners implement unusual ideas, such as creative haircuts, teeth whitening, dyeing or lightening fur, using accessories, rhinestones, colored manicures, even tattooing.
What is creative design?
The most radical method of grooming. I am not a fan of this direction, but I have nothing against it. Such actions will not cause any harm to the dog, which means it makes no sense to prohibit such things.
So, creative grooming of dogs is giving it an unusual and unusual appearance for this breed.
For example, a good example of such creativity is the Poodle's lion haircut. Moreover, such an option is no longer considered creative, it has become so familiar. Let's see what types of creative grooming are currently shared.
Types of haircuts for dogs
Haircuts for pets vary by type, each performing its own tasks:
- Show or pedigree is required to match the breed's conformation.
- Model or creative allows you to create the type of pet that the owner likes.
- Hygienic is used to ensure a neat appearance of the dog and facilitate daily care. Can be done either by a groomer or independently at home: wash, carefully trim the hair around the tail and in the groin area, shorten on the paws and muzzle. These actions do not require special skills, only accuracy is important.
Regardless of the type of haircut, attention should be paid to the frequency of the procedure. Neglected fur, the formation of tangles, and too long nails bring discomfort to the animal and can cause various diseases of the skin and joints.
Hairstyles for Yorkie girls
Source: @valentina_groomer
Source: @zoosalonjuli
Source: @groomer__svetlana
Source: @strijka.sobak.bobruisk
Source: @valery_groom
It is impossible to list all the hairstyles of Yorkshire terrier girls. But, like people, dogs have a fashion for certain types of haircuts. One of the main trends is the creation of a doll image. Among the most popular Yorkie haircuts are the following.
Haircut for exhibitions. This is a special model haircut that is consistent with the requirements of the American Kennel Club. For dogs that do not show, this hairstyle is rarely done. It requires more care than the others. The fur is left long, but the areas around the ears, groin, and tail are carefully trimmed.
Korean haircut. This type of haircut is sometimes also called “Asian”. The dog's hair is cut off on its body, but left on its paws, ears and tail. York immediately looks like a cute cartoon character from a Japanese anime.
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Under the chinchilla. This haircut will look especially good on an ash-colored dog. The master shapes the dog’s fur on the back in such a way that it completely imitates the skin of a chinchilla. It is simply impossible to take your eyes off such beauty.
The difference between a girl's Yorkie haircut and a boy's Yorkie haircut is the haircut of the head. For girls, it usually remains long, and owners need to know the basics of how to braid it into ponytails (so that the dog looks well-groomed and the hair does not get into the eyes).
In fact, figuring out how to style a Yorkie's head is not at all difficult. The most important thing is to stock up on a fine-tooth comb and latex rubber bands.
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First you need to select the first strand, which is located closest to the eyes. Part your hair from one ear to the other. The strand should be combed well and tied with an elastic band. Next you need to do the same with the strand that is located a little further. It should also be combed thoroughly and then tied together with the first ponytail with an elastic band.
If desired, you can put a bow on the top of the hairpin. Or leave only one ponytail, fluffing it on the top of the head (with this option the hairstyle will last less time).
Dog grooming techniques
Depending on the type of haircut and breed characteristics, the following techniques are used:
Trimming
Regular haircuts or combing of the undercoat are not suitable for wire-haired dog breeds. For such animals, trimming (plucking out dead hair) is used. Due to the nature of the hard hair coat, dead hairs do not fall out naturally, but remain in the body, clinging to the undercoat. If they are not removed, the fur will become matted and the appearance will become untidy.
Trimming - plucking dead fur - stimulates blood circulation and improves the quality of the coat.
The hair of such animals consists of both a soft undercoat, which provides thermoregulation, and hard guard hair, which protects the skin from damage. Such a pet cannot simply be cut - this will disrupt the structure of the coat, the shine, density, and natural stiffness will disappear.
The trimming procedure resembles artificial molting, allows you to maintain healthy skin by stimulating blood circulation, preventing the formation of pathogenic microflora, and improves the quality of the coat, which becomes thick, silky, and with a beautiful shine.
With regular trimming there is no need to comb the dog.
Clipperwek
This is cutting the fur very short, using a clipper. It is used for breed haircuts, for example, poodles, or for hygienic purposes, especially when the coat is in poor condition with a lot of tangles.
Showtream
Professional grooming technique, used for show dogs and preparation for competitions. Includes the implementation of complex elements taking into account established standards and characteristics of the breed.
Showstreaming show dogs.
Flatvec
A simple haircut that involves aligning the fur throughout the animal’s body to the same length. The master uses a comb and scissors.
Rolling
The plucking technique is similar to trimming, but differs in layer-by-layer execution; when rolling, only the longest hair is removed. Both procedures should be performed by a professional groomer. Doing it incorrectly on your own can seriously damage your pet’s coat.
Blending
This is the use of thinning scissors in a haircut to obtain a smooth, uniform and beautiful relief of the hairstyle, giving a finished look to the work.
Top notes
This technique allows you to show your imagination. Here you can use jewelry, various products, and accessories to create an interesting look. They use bows, elastic bands, hairpins, rhinestones, ribbons, and much more.
Hairstyles for Yorkie Boys
Source: @valentina_groomer
Source: @valery_groom
Source: @valentina_groomer
Source: @valentina_groomer
Source: @mari_groomer77
There are also many beautiful hairstyles for Yorkie boys.
Like a puppy. This is one of the most popular types of haircuts for Yorkshire Terriers all over the world. Since Yorkies are a decorative dog breed, their weight usually does not exceed 3-4 kilograms. This means that achieving the effect of a puppy face is not so difficult. To do this, the groomer trims the fur evenly along the entire length to 3-4 centimeters.
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Grooming with “pants”. In this version of the haircut, all the hair along the body is shaved off, and the paws from shoulder to hip are simply trimmed, simulating wearing pants.
Under the lion. The name of the haircut speaks for itself. With this head design, the Yorkshire Terrier will look like a real wild animal.
Examples of haircuts (photos)
Pedigree haircuts are shown in the photo.
Model - will change the appearance of the Yorkie
There are many spectacular photos of Yorkies. The most incredible options. The wishes of the owner and the skill of the groomer are taken into account. What is important is how the girl looks, which needs to be emphasized.
For example, braids and ponytails are formed. The dog has enough hair to decorate it beautifully by braiding it. Ponytails are also often shaped - because they allow the girl to show off her beauty. Price – from 1000 rubles.
Between the pads. The paw area is carefully trimmed. Similar haircuts for girls' Yorkies, the photo of which we have attached, cost 1000 rubles
“Pantsy” haircut. The entire body, neck, back, stomach, chest are shaved under the clipper, evenly. The legs from the shoulder and hip remain untouched, leveled depending on the body type. Price in Moscow - from 1,500 rubles, depending on the salon’s price list and groomer's work.
Why is it necessary to groom dogs?
Grooming is an important component of animal care. In addition to aesthetics and appearance, it can significantly influence the life of owners with pets. A well-groomed coat helps prevent skin diseases, the appearance of fleas, lice eaters, subcutaneous mites, and other parasites. Hygienic treatment of eyes, ears, teeth is a good prevention of diseases of these organs.
Regular nail trimming helps maintain healthy joints. If they are too long, they do not allow the dog to step on the floor correctly, and deformation of the joints occurs.
Timely haircut, combing or trimming saves owners from unnecessary household chores of cleaning and cleaning clothes.
Breeds of animals that have very thick or specific hair are difficult to wash and dry at home. For example, it takes a professional groomer more than 3 hours to dry a Hungarian Shepherd.
Creative grooming
Source: @valery_groom
Source: @valery_groom
Source: @zoolocus
Source: @valery_groom
If the owner of a Yorkie wants even more variety, then you can choose creative grooming. For example, give preference to colored dyeing of strands. This can be either full or partial staining. Or choose a haircut in the form of patterns - a professional stylist can shave almost any pattern on the dog’s back, for example, a Christmas tree for the New Year or a soccer ball for the next championship. You can also stick rhinestones on the ears and back, braid hair, or even add a leopard print to the animal’s fur as body art.
How often do dogs need grooming?
It is important to carry out hygiene procedures regularly. Daily eye and ear cleaning is a mandatory part of animal care for some breeds. The frequency of haircuts is determined taking into account individual characteristics, the rate of growth of hair, claws, and can vary from 2 times a month to 2 times a year.
Shorthair
Short-haired animals need to be washed approximately once a month. More often in case of heavy pollution or rainy weather. Wirehaired cats are allowed to be bathed once every 2-4 weeks. Claws are trimmed as they grow. Ears are cleaned after every bath. These procedures can be performed at home or trusted to specialists.
Longhair
Long-haired canines should be washed once every 1 to 3 weeks. Spitz, chow-chow less often, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese more often. It is advisable to bathe those with a unique and specific coat, such as the Komondor (Hungarian Shepherd), no more often than once every 2-3 months. Grooming of such breeds is best left to professionals.
A single rule for owners of all dogs: if the pet begins to look unkempt, tangles have appeared, claws interfere with walking, and the ears and paws collect a lot of dirt during a walk - it’s time to sign up for grooming.
Long-haired pets need frequent grooming - at least once every 1-3 weeks.
Why do Yorkies need haircuts?
Source: @valery_groom
Source: @zoosalonjuli
Haircuts and hairstyles for Yorkshire Terriers are needed not only for beauty. In fact, Yorkie fur has a number of features.
Firstly, it has no undercoat. This means that this breed of dog can be safely adopted by people with allergies. Yorkies don't shed and you'll have less hassle with cleaning.
Secondly, the wool resembles the structure of human hair. This means that tufts will also form on it if proper care is not maintained.
Grooming in stages
Care procedures consist of mandatory steps, such as:
- thoroughly combing the dog, removing mats, heavy dirt, and dead hair;
- 2 times washing using shampoos and conditioners intended exclusively for animals;
- meticulous blow-drying;
- hygiene of the area around the eyes using special lotions;
- ear treatment: plucking fur, cleaning with ear products;
- cleaning the anal glands (can be entrusted to a veterinarian);
- haircut according to the wishes of the owner or the requirements for the breed;
Coat type
There are a great variety of model haircuts for Yorkies. It seems that as many masters there can be as many grooming options.
However, when choosing beauty for your dog, you should focus on the type of his coat: will the chosen haircut “fit” it?
The standard, shiny and smooth coat can take any desired shape. Owners of such “hair” are shown any haircut options.
When choosing a hairstyle, you should consider the thickness and length of your pet's fur.
Fluffy wool, which quickly falls into tangles and “willingly” becomes electrified, is not a disadvantage.
Yes, you can’t create any hairstyle with it, but it will be an excellent base for creating rounded shapes and will help turn your dog into a plush toy.
Yorkies with fluffy hair are shown in Korean and short haircuts, as well as puppy haircuts.
It will be difficult to maintain a good appearance if long hair on the body or skirt is left.
Coarse wool is easy to care for. Medium length haircuts will look good on her.
But if you cut your dog's hair too short, he will look bald, and long hair will split at the ends and look more sloppy than beautiful.
If you are interested in looking at strange dog haircuts, we recommend this article
Yorkie girls often get a skirt cut in addition to a ponytail with a bow.
How to teach a dog to groom
Accustoming to grooming and hygiene procedures should begin as soon as the puppy arrives at home. An adult dog that finds itself groomed for the first time behaves restlessly, impatiently, and may show aggression. An experienced groomer will be able to gain the trust of almost any pet, but to avoid stress, it is the owner’s task to familiarize the puppy with the procedures and socialize it.
The first hairstyle should not leave negative memories on the dog; simple stroking with a comb is enough to get started. You can touch the paws with a nail clipper for several days before trying to trim the nails. Having become accustomed to the tools, the pet will not be afraid of them and will allow itself to be manipulated. Punishment for poor performance on initial attempts should be avoided. It is better to reinforce positive emotions with praise or a treat.
How to cut cats
Most cat owners want their pet to have a healthy, fluffy coat, no matter what breed the animal is. However, due to the fact that the animal has many contact zones, tangles can form, and the fur often sheds. That is why, in order to maintain fluffy wool, masters use hygienic haircuts. The excess six is removed from the animal’s groin area, as well as from the inner thighs.
Grooming for cats is very similar to grooming for dogs: the animal is washed, its ears are cleaned, the hair is dried and pulled out with a hairdryer. The animal’s claws are also trimmed and dental care is provided.
Thanks to such procedures, muscles work better and blood flows to the organs. In addition, when a cat licks itself, fewer hairs enter its stomach. You may also notice a decrease in hair on furniture and clothing. Also, sometimes a haircut is carried out because a person has an allergic reaction, or the animal has severe injuries. If you can see open sores on your cat, your veterinarian will recommend shaving the area.
Grooming Precautions
When performing grooming, safety precautions must be observed to minimize unpleasant consequences. Working with sharp tools poses a risk of injury to both the groomer and the animal. Aggressive, fearful, uncooperative dogs can cause harm to themselves and others, and bites are possible. The master must have a first aid kit in his arsenal, which contains:
- Antiseptic solution (alcohol, chlorhexidine digluconate, hydrogen peroxide, miramistin).
- Hemostatic agents (for example, potassium permanganate, which stops bleeding in a matter of seconds when a blood vessel is cut in a dog’s claw).
- The bandages are ordinary and self-fixing.
- Ordinary scissors.
If desired, you can add painkillers, anti-inflammatory ointments or gels, and tools.
If you have a veterinary education, it is allowed to use drugs that have a sedative effect and first aid medications.
It is also necessary to have veterinary muzzles of different sizes (nylon, fabric), rings with a strong lock for a stable position of the dog on the table. An anti-slip mat or thick towel for water procedures will ensure comfort for all participants in the process. An apron will protect your clothes from adhering fluff, and a mask will protect your respiratory tract.
Preparing the animal
Before visiting the groomer, the dog must be prepared in the following way to avoid trouble:
- exclude feeding 2 hours in advance;
- be sure to take a walk;
- do not wash your pet 2 days before grooming;
- make sure the dog is not in heat;
- tell the master about the pet’s character traits.
Haircut rules
Grooming should only be done on clean wool. Otherwise, it will not be possible to achieve high-quality results. A thoroughly washed dog should be dried with a towel using blotting movements, then dried well with a hairdryer and combed. Drying should be done from roots to ends using a comb. In addition, sort out tangled hair and tangles, and if impossible, cut them off.
You need to use careful movements when working with cutting tools. Do not use dull scissors or clippers.
The animal must be calm and trust the master.
Most often, difficulties arise when processing claws. If the dog is very anxious, it is better to wear a muzzle.
What is the difference between grooming dogs and cats?
Grooming a dog differs from a cat in the behavior of the pet. The dog usually endures all procedures steadfastly, and sometimes even with pleasure. Cats resist so actively that, in order not to suffer from their sharp claws and fangs, the animals have to be held, tied, and sometimes euthanized.
It is clear that cats are much cleaner than dogs and take excellent care of their fur, but they also need to be washed and combed regularly, this is necessary for their feline health.
Recently, specialized dog beauty salons, or grooming salons, have begun to appear more and more.
What tools are used for professional haircuts?
To provide comprehensive dog care, the groomer must have a set of tools and equipment. Sample list:
- wash mat, rubber sponge, towels, cotton pads, swabs;
- a table with a rubberized coating with a stand for ringing;
- hair dryer;
- hair clipper intended for animals (devices for humans have differences in design and power);
- slicker;
- furminator or deshedder for combing out the undercoat, express shedding procedures;
- combs with fine and rare teeth, of various sizes (the tool is selected with a rubber or wooden handle, teeth rounded at the ends to prevent skin injuries);
- cutting scissors;
- thinning scissors;
- tangle cutter;
- mechanical nail cutter and grinder (electric tool for grinding claws);
- toothbrushes;
- rubber brush;
- trimming knife or special stone.
Tools for professional grooming.
You also need to stock up on cosmetics: shampoos, conditioners, sprays, toothpaste, eye and ear lotions. For creative haircuts you will need accessories, wool dyes, glitters, and fixing sprays.
Yorkie puppy's first haircut
Complete care for your baby Yorkie includes the following:
- A five-day-old baby's claws are trimmed.
- A three-week-old cat is treated not only with its claws, but also with its ears.
- At one and a half months, the hair in the groin area is trimmed.
- From the age of four months, the baby needs a hygienic haircut.
- From 6-7 months, a young Yorkie can claim model haircuts.
Don’t let the horror stories scare you that if you cut a terrier’s hair before it’s one year old, it will ruin its coat.
On specialized forums, Yorkie owners unanimously object that, on the contrary, it is possible and necessary to organize timely grooming for a small dog.
This will save you from such a common problem as tangles, which easily form in a puppy's soft and fluffy fur.
During a haircut in the salon, the owner should be in another room so that the dog is not distracted by him or twitches.
If you don't cut the dog's hair yourself, try not to complicate the groom's job.
Your baby Yorkie will be curious about what they are doing to him. He needs to get used to the new person.
The presence of the owner will only interfere and slow down this process.
If the owner of the dog speaks to him at the wrong time, the terrier may rush from his place to the voice.
And the groomer’s tools are sharp; he may not have time to react at this moment and injure the dog.
How to cut a dog's hair at home
The owner of the animal can perform a hygienic haircut independently. To do this, purchase sharp scissors with rounded ends, a wool clipper, and combs.
Some tips for the procedure:
- A clean dog should be thoroughly combed and the places where the hair needs to be shortened should be identified.
- Haircuts should be done in a well-lit area, with the door to the room closed to eliminate distractions.
- Tools should be in a place where the owner can easily get them, and the dog will not knock them over.
- When starting to cut hair with scissors, you need to take a flat comb, measure the length of the hair with it, and cut off the excess. Repeat the procedure throughout the dog's body.
- For machine cutting, you can use attachments with a specified length of hair. Movements are made against hair growth, without interruption, pressing the machine to the skin. The design of the blades virtually eliminates injury.
- The muzzle is cut especially carefully. The edges of the scissors should not be directed towards the dog's eyes.
- The fur on the paws is trimmed in a circle; you can carefully cut out tufts of hair between the pads.
- The groin area is also trimmed with special care so as not to injure the pet. The scissors are held parallel to the dog's body.
A patient attitude towards the animal, careful actions, and a calm environment will help create a neat hairstyle for your pet.
Is it possible to cut a dog's hair?
When we first try to cut a dog's hair, we immediately encounter resistance. Oddly enough, animals often do not like it when their natural beauty is interfered with. Therefore, dogs need to be trained from a young age, so that in the future the grooming process will not be so unpleasant for the owner himself.
It is possible and even necessary to cut a dog's hair, especially for breeds such as Yorkies, Pekingese, Poodles and Spitz.
If this is not done, the pet will become so overgrown that it will be difficult for him to move, and even breathe in the summer.
Considering that animals like to always be on the move, the dog needs to be helped by giving him freedom of action.
You should definitely ask how to cut your hair correctly so as not to harm the person you want to help. And even the strongest resistance can be turned into an exciting game and the pet will even fall in love with this activity over time.
Care between haircuts
To keep your pet looking neat, it is important to groom it regularly.
The animal should be combed daily with a comb with rounded teeth. Movements should be in the direction of hair growth, smooth and without jerking.
If you find a tangle, you need to try to carefully untangle it. Oil-based products will be a great help in this matter. If it doesn’t work, the tangle needs to be cut off. But this should be done as a last resort, since the resulting bald spots will not allow you to create a beautiful hairstyle later.
The fur of a show Yorkshire Terrier should be placed in curlers, placing them in a strictly defined order. You can learn how to do this correctly from an experienced groomer.
You can bathe your dog twice a month. Exhibition - weekly. To do this, use shampoo for long-haired breeds. Dry the pet with two towels - one to remove water, the second for final drying.
Haircut Standard recommended for exhibitions
The classic model assumes that you are preparing your dog for a show. It’s not very convenient, because the owner will have to wrap the wool around curlers to protect it from injury.
The price for grooming girls' Yorkie dogs, the photo of which you see, is 1,700 rubles.
The most important thing is to understand what will suit your girl, because choosing the best option can only be done in practice.
Precautionary measures
When grooming a pet, it is not recommended to trim the fur to zero. It is better to entrust such a haircut to a professional hairdresser, since if you handle the tools carelessly, there is a high risk of causing damage to your pet.
Photo 3. Chic Maltese hairstyle
Particular care should be taken when grooming dogs that are rarely subjected to this procedure. Animals that are not accustomed to “incomprehensible” manipulations tend to express anxiety, and it is difficult to keep them in one place.
Excessive activity of the pet dog during the grooming process often leads to microtrauma. To prevent them, you should calm the animal, pet it more often and communicate with it, distracting it from the groomer’s body movements.
If the animal's skin is damaged, the wound should be immediately treated with hydrogen peroxide or another antiseptic. Even before you start cutting, you should make sure that you have the appropriate medications so that they are at hand at the right time.
If the animal's eyes or mucous membranes are damaged, you should immediately contact the nearest veterinary clinic, since such injuries are fraught with complications.
Where to cut your Yorkie's hair
There are four options for organizing grooming for the Yorkshire Terrier:
- invite a specialist to your home;
- cut your pet's hair yourself;
- go to a pet salon;
- invite a barber to your home.
Grooming a Yorkshire Terrier in a salon is the most expensive, but at the same time the safest option. The owner pays not only for the work of the specialist, but also for the safety and comfort for himself and his pet.
The specialized institution has a waiting room with all amenities, and instruments undergo the necessary sanitary treatment. The salon provides certain guarantees in case of damage to the “hairstyle” by an unqualified hairdresser. The wool, of course, will not be glued back, but it is possible to receive monetary compensation.
Grooming a dog at home yourself or with the invitation of a specialist is cheaper than in a salon.
The disadvantage of inviting a specialist to your home may be not very comfortable waiting conditions, for example, on an uncomfortable chair in the hallway. And few people would risk leaving a pet with a stranger for a long time.
The cheapest option would be to trim your Yorkie yourself.
To carry out the procedure you will need:
- Special dog clipper with various attachments. It is better not to use plastic ones, this will deteriorate the quality and increase the time it takes to complete the work.
- Scissors of different lengths: 1. for the area near the eyes, fingers, ears - small scissors with rounded tips; 2. to design the tail, paws, sides - a tool with a long curved and straight blade.
- Colt cutter.
- Trimmer for treating the area near the anus and muzzle.
- Guillotine claw cutter.
- Mat with anti-slip coating. You should choose rubberized options.
- Combs of different formats, massage brush. Do not use plastic - it electrifies the wool.
The owner of a Yorkshire Terrier should wear a cotton robe or T-shirt before grooming, since synthetics electrify the hair.
Where is the best place to get a Yorkie haircut?
You can cut your hair:
- In the salon: this is the most effective option. Experienced groomers will find an approach to your pet and make it well-groomed. The grooming salon has a large set of tools, convenient washing and high-quality cosmetics.
- At home: this option will be comfortable for dogs that are afraid of unfamiliar surroundings. The dog will behave calmly, which will significantly facilitate the procedure.
- On your own: in this case, the owner needs to purchase a special tool and gain basic skills.
If you choose grooming from a specialist, ask about his education. He must show at least a diploma of completion of the courses. It would be great if the groomer regularly improves his skills and can confirm this with certificates. A friendly attitude towards your pet is extremely important. Any rudeness towards an animal is unacceptable.
It doesn’t matter what you choose: self-grooming or professional grooming. The main thing is the well-being of your pet. Regular care will allow the animal not only to look attractive, but also not to experience discomfort.
Step-by-step instruction
Armed with the necessary tools, we begin to cut the Yorkie's hair. We'll tell you step by step how to cut it yourself.
Here are approximate instructions:
- First, we prepare ourselves and prepare the workplace. We wear cotton clothes with long sleeves and trousers. Synthetic fabric is unacceptable; the animal's fur will be electrified, which will complicate the work.
- We prepare the table - cover it with non-slip material, install good lighting.
- Let's start preparing the animal. We bathe him and comb him well, getting rid of tangles.
- We start the procedure with the paws. We take each limb in turn and carefully shave the hairs between the fingers with a clipper. We do this slowly, as you may injure the animal.
- We bend the front legs not to the side, but only under the animal. After the paws, we move on to the ears. It is necessary to expose their third part. Use a comb to separate the fur on the ear from the rest. We place the tip of the ear on the edge of the palm and use a machine with a millimeter nozzle to shave it according to the hair growth. We try to form a straight line. We remove hair from the ears using a trimmer or scissors.
- Now we shorten the hair in the area of the bridge of the nose and around the eyes. We work with scissors with rounded tips. You need to trim it on the cheeks and chin, forming a neat contour. For girls, you can form a top note (a ponytail on the top of the head). To do this, select strands from the corners of the eyes to the beginning of the ear. We collect hair in a ponytail. We try to keep the lint from the ears from getting into the ponytail.
- Let's move on to the butt and groin area. We place the animal straight. Carefully shave off the hair using a machine with a three-millimeter nozzle or trimmer. In this place, the hairs grow in different directions, so you need to constantly turn the machine so that the blades move against the hair growth. To carefully treat the genital area, raise the paws and tail.
- Now you can trim the body. We move from the tail to the neck. We shave the back and sides against the growth of the fur. If you want to get a summer haircut, you can also shave your stomach, neck and paws up to the knee area. We shorten the fur coat remaining on the paws with scissors, forming “pants.”
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Yorkshire terrier haircuts - types and photos of Yorkie girls
Yorkies are charming dogs with an attractive appearance and a cheerful disposition. And Yorkie girls with a bow in their hair look like real fashion models.
The most important feature of dogs of this breed is their silky fluffy coat, thanks to which many dog breeders choose Yorkshire terriers.