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The Yorkie is one of the easiest of the long coated breeds to groom because
they have a single, silky coat. They have no undercoat. Yorkies do not shed.
However, they do lose some hair just like we humans. You may find it in their
hairbrush or around the house like you would your own. Grooming your Yorkie
is a necessity, however easy or difficult you may find it. Try to enjoy grooming
your dog. Think of it as a special time in which you can bond with, and become
closer with your beloved four-legged friend.
Supplies
- A quality dog shampoo. Make sure to use a tearless puppy
shampoo if you have a young dog. Do not use human shampoo on your dog; there is
a difference in the pH balance.
Get a good pet conditioner to use after shampooing.
A "Leave-in conditioner" for after the bath.
Always use this before brushing your dog's coat.
Soft absorbent towel.
Comb with wide teeth.
Fine-tooth comb.
Pin brush.
Scissors.
Cotton balls.
Ear cleaner/deodorizer.
Toothbrush.
Toothpaste.
Nail clippers.
*Grooming supplies are available at pet stores, discount stores,
pharmacies, or your Veterinarian.*
The Bath
Bathe your Yorkie in a tub or
in a sink. Make sure you always have your eyes and a hand on your
dog. Yorkshire Terrier average weight is 7 pounds or less; they think
they are 70 pounds, and invincible;
...that said, they may try to jump out of a sink,
severely injuring themselves.
First, wet your dog thoroughly; get a bit of
shampoo and work it gently into your dog's hair, massaging your dog as
you proceed. If you notice a tangle or a mat, now is the time to work
it out with your fingers. You may also use a long-toothed comb to help you
work out a tangle. Be careful not to rip at it, as this could be painful for your
little friend. After you have shampooed your dog's entire body make sure you
clean around their eyes. You can also use a fine-toothed comb to get
out unsightly eye crud from underneath the dog's eyes. Rinse your dog
completely; get out all the soap. If any soap residue stays in your dog's coat
this can cause dry skin and/or dandruff. You may repeat the shampooing
process again if you feel your dog is not yet clean (but usually unnecessary).
After all the shampoo is out, put a fair amount of conditioner in your dog's
coat, leave it in for 2 to 3 minutes, rinse, and blot gently with the towel. Dry
your Yorkie's face first, then the rest of him. Do not rub too roughly, as this
can damage their coat. Once your dog is sufficiently dry move him/her to the
area where you will finish the grooming process.
Drying, Combing/Brushing, Trimming, Ear & Teeth Cleaning
Spray your dog with the "leave-in conditioner". This not only helps in the
brushing of the coat, but it also repels dirt and urine. Comb/brush through
your dog's hair. You may blow dry your dog if you wish. Use a low heat setting
to prevent burning your pup's skin. Now use your long-toothed comb
and part it down the center a final time.
Now is a good time to trim away
any long hair along your pup's rear. This helps to keep him/her cleaner.
You may trim under the pads of your dog's feet, and you should trim 1/3 of the
way down your dog's ear. This will keep your dog's hair from weighing down
their ears.
After your Yorkie is dry and brushed, clean
their ears with a good ear cleanser/deodorizer. Put a few drops in each ear and
massage; leave in for a couple of minutes and then gently rub out any dirt
from inside the ear with a cotton ball. Be very careful with their little
ears.
Now it is time to brush your pet's teeth. Use one of the small tooth brushes that
slips over your finger, but any small dog toothbrush will do. You may use dog
approved toothpaste to brush your dog's teeth.
Toenail Trimming
To trim your dog's toenails, use a good quality dog nail clipper. Be careful not
to cut you dog's nails too short as this can cause bleeding. If this does happen,
quickly grab a bar of soap and scratch the dog's toenail over the soap making
sure to get the soap under the nail. This will usually stop the bleeding.
Another good thing to have on hand to stop minor bleeding is styptic powder.
This stops bleeding fast. If for any reason the bleeding does not stop, take your dog to your Veterinarian!
Frequency
Bathing/Ear cleaning -
Once a week.
Brushing teeth -
Every couple of days should be sufficient.
Ear, Rear, and Foot pad Trimming -
every 2 to 3 weeks.
Nail Trimming - every 2 to 4 weeks.
Coat Brushing/Combing -
Daily to every few days.
Eyes -
Wipe under eyes with a warm, damp cotton ball 3 to 4 times weekly.
Brush under the eyes with a fine-toothed comb to remove
eye gook.
Stain and Odor Eliminator -
Good to have around in case of an accident.
Specifically formulated natural enzymes and botanicals
are carefully blended to safely and effectively eliminate, not mask, stains and odors.
Water based product – contains no alcohol; dissolves source of
stains and odors - doesn't mask them; Exclusive enzyme formula is extremely
effective, 100% biodegradable, hypo-allergenic and completely safe; harmless
to all water-tolerant surfaces or fabrics; permanently removes all organic odors
and stains such as: vomit, urine, feces, blood, food and beverages; discourages
pet from re-soiling in the same area.
Yorkshire Terrier Statistics
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 8 inches
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 7 pounds
ALSO KNOWN AS: Yorkie
EXPECTED LIFE SPAN: (up to) 15 years
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