Grooming a Yorkie's Legs

There are two types of yorkie coats: soft or silky. Both coats can be trimmed the same way, but there are differences in the regularity of brushing recommended for each. If your Yorkshire Terrier has a soft coat, its legs will tend to mat more easily and will require more frequent care to maintain. Soft hair is also prone to breaking. Many people whose yorkies are not show dogs choose to keep them in short cuts to keep mats to a minimum. A popular cut for yorkies is the Schnauzer cut. The hair on the dog's torso is trimmed short and the legs left longer and feathered, with the face cut like the Schnauzer, with a beard and mustache. The other popular cut is a puppy cut, where the hair is trimmed evenly all over.

Things You'll Need

  • Fine-tooth or greyhound comb
  • Pin brush
  • Slicker brush
  • 8-inch scissors
  • 5-inch blunt-tipped scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      If the dog's hair is long, leg hair must be combed daily whether the coat is soft or silky. Stand the dog on a grooming table or table covered with a towel. Hold the long body hair up and brush down to the foot using a pin brush with a rubber back. If the yorkie has a soft coat with a short cut, legs should be combed daily to avoid matting. Use a slicker brush to help remove mats. Silky coated legs do not require daily combing, but should be groomed at least weekly.

    • 2
      Yorkie legs should look neat and feathered.

      Use 8-inch scissors to cut a straight line down the back of the yorkie's legs. If the dog's fur is kept in a shorter cut and its legs are feathered, leave several inches of hair down the back of the leg. If the dog is kept long and natural, just trim the excess longer hair in a straight line. Trimming the legs is the same for soft and silky coats.

    • 3

      Trim the excess fur off the outside of the foot so the paw is rounded and contoured in a half circle.

    • 4
      Use blunt-tipped scissors for trimming yorkie feet.

      Pick the dog's paw up and trim the hair underneath the foot between the paw pads with a short, blunt-tipped pair of scissors.

    • 5

      Trim the dog's nails, using a Dremmel or nail clippers. Be careful not to cut nails too short or you will cut the quick and the nail will bleed. Keep some styptic on hand for this.