How to Trim a Yorkie

The Yorkie, a toy breed of dog, packs a lot of personality into its 5-pound to 7-pound body. Yorkies make great family pets, are quick to learn and have beautiful silky coats. However, their silky coats grow fast, meaning frequent grooming. Ideally, a Yorkie's coat should be brushed daily, shampooed weekly and trimmed about every four to six weeks. You can choose to go to a groomer, but, with practice, you can do it at home. If your first attempt looks less than professional, don't worry. A Yorkie's coat grows quickly, and your grooming skills will improve.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog brush
  • Dog grooming clipper and blades
  • Straight scissors
  • Dog shampoo
  • Dog conditioner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feel for matted fur and snarls in your Yorkie's coat by running through it with your fingers. Remove the mats and snarls gently with your fingers, then brush your dog's coat with a dog brush.

    • 2

      Shave your Yorkie's belly, inside of the legs, loin and anus area with a dog grooming clipper, using the blade recommended on the clipper instructions for this area. Blades warm up as you use them, so change blades often during trimming in order to keep from burning your dog.

    • 3

      Clip the top of your Yorkie's neck, gliding the clipper downward, and working toward the rear.

    • 4

      Cut a straight line with the clippers on the sides of your Yorkie at the halfway point between its body and floor. Without cutting the leg hair, taper the hair down the sides, trimming in the direction of the hair growth.

    • 5

      Shave the lower part of your Yorkie's paws with the clipper.

    • 6

      Trim the muzzle to 1 inch using straight scissors, tapering the hair longer toward the back. Tapering, instead of a blunt trim, blends the muzzle with the back neck hair.

    • 7

      Trim the topknot on your Yorkie's head with the scissors. Leave about a 6-inch length if you wish to be able to put the hair in a ponytail.

    • 8

      Cut the ear hairs to a point with the scissors.

    • 9

      Brush the eyebrows forward. Following the arch of the head, trim the eyebrows with the straight scissors.

    • 10

      Shave your Yorkie's chin all the way down to the throat.

    • 11

      Bathe your Yorkie in warm water after trimming, using dog shampoo and conditioner. Wash, rinse and dry your dog gently to prevent snarling. Brush the coat well.