Grooming Your Yorkie at Home

When in comes to grooming, some dog breeds need little attention, but this is not the case with Yorkshire terriers. Yorkies, as they are commonly known, tend to produce a coat that can mat easily and needs regular attention to stop it from becoming unkempt. Some Yorkies have long, thin silky coats and others have shorter, thicker curly fur.

  1. Coat Care

    • Even the shortest of Yorkie coats need brushing at least twice a week to avoid matting. Longer coats need daily or even twice daily brushing. Comb the fur with a wide-toothed metal comb and then a softer coat brush. To remove mats, begin by teasing them loose with your fingers and then with the comb. Use de-tangler on the tougher, larger mats. If the mat is too thick, it can be cut out as a last resort.

    Bathing

    • Keeping the coat clean helps to avoid mats, so a regular bath is essential. Once the coat has been de-tangled, put the dog in the bathtub and wet the coat thoroughly. Use a suitable dog shampoo and conditioner, squirting a line along the dog's back. Scrunching and rubbing the shampoo into the coat may cause more mats, so work the soap along the hairs to coat them. Once the body fur is soaped thoroughly, rinse it with clean water to make sure all the soap is out. Use a small sponge to wash and rinse the face to keep soap out of the dog's eyes and nose.

    Ears, Eyes and Feet

    • The hair around the paw pads and in the ears should be regularly trimmed to avoid ear infections and to stop the dog from slipping on smooth floors. The Yorkie's tears accumulate in the thick fur around its eyes and can cause rot to the dog's whiskers. To avoid this, the tears should be wiped away daily to avoid eye problems or infections.

    Teeth and Nails

    • To maintain healthy teeth, use a small dog toothbrush or a gauze pad along with a veterinarian-recommended toothpaste. Wipe or brush the dog's teeth, front and back, to keep them clean and avoid decay. Regular brushing keeps the Yorkie's teeth healthier longer. The dog's nails should be trimmed at least once every two weeks. Using a dog nail trimmer, cut no farther than the curve of nail, removing just the tip to avoid bleeding.