As a dog lover and animal rights activist I have watched with interest the growing popularity of Yorkshire Terriers, or ‘Yorkies.’ In fact, according to AKC® Registration Statistics, the Yorkshire Terrier is ranked among the most popular dog breed in the US. It’s easy to understand why. These beautiful dogs are a lively, plucky breed.
Even though Yorkshire Terriers enjoy immense popularity, their roots trace back to humble beginnings. Capable dogs, Yorkies were primarily used by the working class in nineteenth century England to catch rats in the mills. Perhaps due to their beauty and grace, Yorkshire Terriers migrated away from the clothing mills and became beloved companions to the upper echelon of European and then American society.
Yorkies are considered high maintenance and require grooming on a regular schedule. To keep your Yorkshire Terrier happy and healthy you must get in the habit of tending to his coat, ears, nails and teeth often. Consider grooming as an act of love and use this time together as an opportunity to bond with your dog. If you get your Yorkie used to these activities early and perform them with great care you will find the grooming activities pleasurable for both of you.
This article is intended to outline the grooming basics for a pet Yorkie, not for a show dog. If you plan to show your Yorkshire Terrier then you will want to have him professionally groomed.
Now, read on for the specifics on home grooming your beautiful Yorkshire Terrier.
Order of Activities:
When you plan to perform the entire grooming ritual, the order of activities that works best is:
Brush coat
Pluck ear hair and clean ears
Bathe
Clip nails
Clean teeth
Yorkshire Terrier Coat Care:
Yorkshire Terrier’s have either a soft or a silky coat. Soft coats are more troublesome because they tend to mat easier. Regardless of which coat type your dog has, maintain a Yorkie’s coat and keep it mat free with a daily brushing schedule.
For easier brushing, start by raking your fingers through your Yorkie’s coat to dislodge debris and untangle mats. Alternatively, you can use a wide toothed grooming comb for detangling. Once the coat is relatively smooth, squirt a dog grooming pin brush with a mixture of water and conditioner and begin brushing your Yorkshire Terrier’s coat. Go slow and easy, pet and coo to your dog as you perform this activity. Avoid scratching his skin with the brush or pulling too hard on tangles. You may want to have dog treats nearby to reinforce this as a pleasurable activity. If you relax and enjoy this time together your dog will too.
After your Yorkie’s hair is smooth and tangle free, it’s time to give him a haircut. Your Yorkshire Terrier has a silky, fast-growing coat which requires trimming approximately once a month. Depending on your preferred hairstyle, you will use two to three blade sizes to clip your Yorkie.
Use a #40 blade for his ears, a #10 blade for his genitalia and anal area, his arm pits, between his legs and for the pads of his feet. Start grooming his body first, then his legs and feet, saving his head for last. Clip against the growth of the hair for a smoother finish.
To maintain your Yorkshire Terrier’s cut have him professionally clipped every other month.
Yorkshire Terrier Ear and Eye Care:
Yorkshire Terriers are prone to mites and ear infections so check your Yorkie’s ears often. Keep the ear channel hair-free by pulling the hairs with your fingers, using quick and deliberate plucks. Purchase a groomers plucking powder to make this task easier for you and your dog. The powder will give you a better grip on the hair. Begin the exercise of plucking hair from your Yorkshire Terrier’s ears when he is young so he gets used to this procedure at an early age.
After the excess ear hair is removed, dampen a cotton ball with doggie ear cleaning solution and gently but thoroughly wipe the inside of your Yorkie’s ears. Clean the folds and creases carefully. Never push too deeply into the ear canal. Dry the ears with a fresh cotton ball. If you notice discoloration or an unusual odor, take your Yorkie to the vet.
Keep the hair on his outer ear flaps trimmed very short. Clip any extra hair on the inside of the ears short as well. You will want clippers that are specifically designed for this purpose. If you take your Yorkie to be groomed, request the ears be shaved 1/3 down from the tip in an inverted v shape.
Next wipe your Yorkie’s eyes paying attention to the inside corners and along the rim. Use eye wipes specifically designed for this purpose. As you wipe, be careful not to get the eye wipe solution into his eyes.
Bathing your Yorkshire Terrier:
Early in the relationship between you and your Yorkie, begin the bathing acclimation process. Start by performing ‘trial runs.’ Be consistent with commands that indicate getting into the bath, staying still during bathing and getting out of the bath. Perform these first bathing exercises using just water on your Yorkshire Terrier pup. Stay close; keep a hand on your dog at all times. Watch for signs of stress or discomfort. It is helpful to include treats into this exercise to keep your Yorkie attentive and to help him associate bath time with good things.
It’s best to organize all your supplies before you get your Yorkshire Terrier in the tub or sink. If you don’t have a hand-held shower or spigot wand, a shatter-free pitcher or cup will suffice. Have your shampoo, conditioner, water supply, pitcher and towels within reach. It’s also important to ensure your Yorkie has good footing. Place a bath mat or towel in the sink or tub to prevent your dog from slipping. This also increases your Yorkie’s confidence.
Yorkshire Terrier specific shampoos and conditioners are available, and are produced to accommodate a Yorkie’s hair and skin pH. While these products may be more expensive than general dog grooming products, Yorkshire Terrier specific supplies will produce a shinier and healthier coat. It’s believed that shampoos and conditioners for Yorkie’s that include oatmeal and aloe may be gentler and easier for your Yorkshire Terrier to tolerate. You should finish with a good cream rinse that includes a Yorkie hair detangler. Some Yorkie experts use a leave-in conditioner as the final step.
Due to your Yorkie’s small stature, you must take great care in bathing him. This is an activity that absolutely requires 100% participation on your part. Never leave your Yorkshire Terrier alone in the water.
Now it’s time to actually bathe your teacup Yorkshire Terrier. Use the commands you practiced during the acclimation step for getting your Yorkie in the tub or sink. Be consistent with your commands and generous with the praise and the treats. Relax. Don’t start actually bathing your Yorkie until both of you are calm and ready. As practiced, always have a steady hand on your Yorkie puppy. Gently pour warm water over the Yorkie’s body using either the pitcher or wand. When your Yorkshire Terrier is completely wet, apply the shampoo and work it through the dog’s coat from his neck to his hips. Make sure to work in the direction of your Yorkie’s hair growth and avoid his head. Once you’ve worked up a good lather, completely rinse your Yorkshire Terrier. Be careful to wash away every bit of shampoo residue.
Next, apply the conditioner/hair detangler to your Yorkie in the same way that you applied the shampoo. Gently pull it through the Yorkie’s hair in the direction of hair growth. Then completely rinse out all of the conditioner. If you choose, apply the leave-in conditioner.
Towel-dry your dog and gently brush his coat to remove any tangles. Set your hairdryer to the coolest setting and dry his coat in the direction it grows. You may want to continue combing his hair as it dries to keep it straight and matt-free.
Dry grooming powders for Yorkshire Terriers are available and work well to freshen up your Yorkie between baths.
Yorkshire Terrier Nail Care:
In most cases it is recommended to clip your Yorkie’s nails once per month. You may find that if you walk your dog on paved surfaces his nails will need clipping less frequently. Trim the nails after a bath, when they are softer and easier to clip.
Use a pair of dog grooming nail clippers. There are several styles to choose from, the most common being the guillotine-style or the pliers-style. Try the different types and select the nail clippers you are most comfortable with. As I’ve mentioned, if you are tense your Yorkshire Terrier will notice and react.
Trim each nail to just before the quick. I find it’s easier to clip a dog’s nails a bit at a time, so you can get the nails short enough without inadvertently cutting into the sensitive quick area. As you snip off a bit, check to determine your progress. You can see the quick on lighter nails easier than darker ones; it’s the pink line running up through the middle of the dog’s nails. Holding a paw with dark nails up to a light will help you determine your progress. If you accidently trim into your Yorkie’s nail bed do not panic. This area bleeds freely so have styptic powder or gel on-hand. Treat the area with powder immediately to stop the bleeding.
If you are apprehensive at all about trimming your Yorkshire Terrier’s nails, ask a professional dog groomer to show you how to do it first.
Yorkshire Terrier Dental Care:
Experts recommend brushing your Yorkshire Terrier’s teeth once or twice a week. Dogs can build up tartar just like we do, and it can cause the same kind of problems. Use a dog toothbrush or a finger brush (that slides over your index finger) and dog toothpaste. I find the finger brushes are easier to use and the dog seems to tolerate them better.
Put the toothpaste on the toothbrush and gently rub the brush along the front of your Yorkie’s teeth. Get as far back into his mouth as possible but be careful not to make your dog gag. Do not use ‘people’ toothpaste to brush a dog’s teeth.
Groom your Yorkshire Terrier in the same location every time. The familiarity will help him relax.
Necessary Supplies:
Wide toothed grooming comb
Grooming pin brush
Plucking powder
Dog ear cleanser
Cotton balls
Eye wipes
Grooming scissors
Good dog shampoo
Dog conditioner
Puppy ‘No Tears’ shampoo
Towels
Dog clippers
Styptic powder or gel
Dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste
In Conclusion:
Sadly, many Yorkies are surrendered due to the dedication and expense required to maintain this lovely breed. If you are not able to either hire a professional groomer or groom your Yorkshire Terrier yourself, then you may want to consider another breed.
Before you decide to adopt any dog, take the time to determine which breed of dog best suits you and your lifestyle. There are many resources on the internet that provide the information you need to make the right decision. Here are links to assist you:
DogTime Match-up
http://dogtime.com/matchup/start
Dog Breed Directory
http://www.mydogsbreed.com/
Sources:
American Kennel Club
http://www.akc.org/breeds/yorkshire_terrier/index.cfm
Yorkie Rescue & Adoption
http://adopt-a-yorkie.adoptapet.com/
Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue
http://www.yorkierescue.com/
