The Grooming Styles for a Yorkie Puppy

Although grooming might seem like a trivial concern for a dog, the way you choose to groom your Yorkshire Terrier can affect its comfort and activity level. No matter which style you choose, it's important to ensure that your Yorkie puppy's fur is clean and free of parasites and mats. Keeping your puppy's nails groomed will ensure that it does not scratch you during play. Although it's possible to groom your puppy's hair yourself with the right supplies and proper preparation, having a groomer do it is typically less time consuming and will result in a better overall appearance.

  1. Short Cut

    • Short hair is often the most convenient choice for Yorkie puppies.

      Most Yorkie puppy owners opt to keep their dog's hair short. Puppies tend to be both active and messy, and long fur is difficult to keep tidy. Many Yorkie puppies are not yet able to grow long, silky fur, making short fur the only choice. Your groomer will trim the fur around your puppy's eyes and face to prevent hair from hanging awkwardly. She might also trim the fur on the dog's body to ensure an even, neat look.

    Long Hair

    • Long Hair is the most popular style for adult Yorkies.

      The long, silky hair of adult Yorkshire terriers is one of the breed's trademarks. Many dog shows and competitions require that Yorkshire terriers have long hair. Older puppies that are able to grow their hair long and who can tolerate extended grooming look elegant and sophisticated with a long cut. The groomer will comb the hair around your dog's face and may separate pieces of hair with bows or ribbons. Any uneven or damaged fur will be removed, and the hair along the torso and tail will be cut shorter than the hair on the face.

    Shaved Fur

    • If appearance and breed conformation are not of paramount concern, you might choose to shave your Yorkie puppy. Shaved hair is easier to care for and is especially useful in the summer months to prevent overheating. Yorkies with skin problems and flea infestations can also benefit from temporary shaving.

    Other Cuts

    • Many Yorkie grooming styles keep some part of the fur longer than others.

      Several other grooming styles are available for Yorkshire terriers. Schnauzer cuts feature fur at an intermediate length, with longer hair around the face and feet. Westie cuts leave the hair longer all over, with fur that is slightly shorter along the body. Some owners opt to grow their Yorkies' hair long and braid it, embellish it with bows or even dye it colors such as pink and blue.