The Grooming Needs of a Yorkie

The long sable and steel-blue coat of the Yorkshire terrier requires a committed grooming hand to maintain the smooth, silky breed coat standard. Yorkshire terriers are considered high-maintenance dogs compared to short-coated breeds. The texture of the coat is closer to human hair and becomes tangled more frequently. Although a shorter coat is easier to maintain than a longer coat, a consistent grooming routine is required for both coat types.

  1. Brushing Routine

    • A short-coated, or puppy-cut, Yorkie must be brushed daily with a soft brush to remove soil and disperse oils throughout the coat. This keeps the coat flexible and cleans the hair follicles. Twice or three times a week the coat requires combing out tangles and mats. Combing is required more often for a long coat to prevent severe matting, which can impede range of motion and result in fecal issues. Once a week clip small mats free from the coat, paying attention to the anal area.

    Bathing Routine

    • An at-home bathing routine keeps short and long coats free from dead hair and soil, and it also gives the skin an opportunity to be stimulated, cleaned and conditioned. Twice a month or once a week bathing routines are common for the Yorkshire terrier breed, so make the most out of it with therapeutic messages to increase circulation, open hair follicles and relieve joint pain. Select skin hypo-allergic organic shampoos and conditioners to relieve dry, itchy skin and nourish hair.

    Eyes, Nails and Teeth

    • Yorkshire terriers, like all dogs, require other types of grooming to prevent tear stains, overgrown nails and bad breath. Once a week clean the eyes with pet-safe eye wipes or cleaner to prevent staining, remove pollen and hydrate the eyes. Once a month check nails and clip tips to prevent overgrowth. A few times a week offer dental chews or massage gums with pet-safe teeth cleaner for healthy teeth and clean breath.

    Nutritional Factors

    • Nutrition is also an important factor on how often you groom your Yorkie. A quality diet results in a healthy skin and coat. Low-quality diets are nutritionally incomplete and do not replace the protein the coat needs to build a healthy coat. Diets lacking omega fatty acids result in a dry flaky coat that breaks easily when combed. Foods, treats and snacks made from real meat such as chicken and lamb, real grains and vegetables such as rice and sweet potatoes are lower in fat and higher in nutrients. This will result in a soft skin, strong coat, healthy immune system and strong teeth and bones.