Grooming a Yorkie...

Basic tips:
Yorkies are a “single” coated breed, meaning that they do not have an undercoat.  Their coat is very similar to human hair and we suggest not to use human shampoo.  A dog has a different ph balance then humans and using “people” shampoo can result in dry, itchy, flaking skin.  If you do use a human shampoo, please make sure it’s a good quality.  Remember to completely rinse the hair after shampooing and conditioning.  It is also best to remember to always brush the hair on a Yorkie that has been sprayed with a light mixture of conditioner and water. Never brush a Yorkie coat when it is completely dry because this will damage the coat.

Bathing - Remember you have chosen a “coated” breed which will require frequent bathing and daily brushing.  If your dog gets dirty then bathing once a week will help keep them nice  and clean except the side of the body where urine collects on a male.  Wash this daily with a damp cloth and warm water.

Shampoo –There are many good shampoos on the market. Remember to be careful around the eyes.  Use a tearless shampoo for the head so you don’t have to worry about getting soap in the eyes.  NOTE:  Puppies are wiggly in the sink and slippery when wet!  Get a good hold and make sure you have your shampoo, conditioner and towel right at hand.  Consider using the bathtub instead of the sink for the first few times until you see how your puppy reacts to  his bath.  NEVER LEAVE YOUR PUPPY UNATTENDED ON A COUNTER OR TABLE…..THEY WILL WALK OR JUMP OFF BEFORE YOU CAN BLINK AN EYE…..GUARANTEED!  Then you will have a broken leg or worse.

Conditioner –Again any of the premium conditioners are good. 

Tangles – Wet tangles with warm water and work out with your fingers as you bathe the dog.

Brush – A good pin brush with a rubber back that is soft  is an excellent grooming aid also because the pins are longer to reach through the coat.  Do not buy a brush that has small balls on the end of the pins as they tend to pull at the coat and break it.  Please do not use brushes with nylon bristles because they tend to break the hair.

Comb – A good metal comb with the long teeth. They can be expensive but you won’t find any rough spots to tear your puppy’s coat.  Remember to ALWAYS finish your grooming by COMBING through the coat.  You will be surprised at the knots and tangles you will find that you missed with the brush.  DO NOT ALLOW MATS OR TANGLES TO REMAIN IN YOUR PUPPY’S COAT!!  Mats tighten with each passing day and can be very painful to remove.  An ounce of prevention--------removing mats is not fun for you or your puppy.

Fine toothed flea comb – These can be used under the eyes to remove “eye mucous” which accumulates in a remarkably short time.  Keep your puppy’s under eye area clean.  You can use a damp washcloth or cotton ball to soften and remove any “eye mucous” then comb through with the flea comb.  Dry carefully. 

Dryer – When using your hair dryer to dry your puppy, PLEASE WATCH THE HEAT! Remember that their skin is very tender and you can easily burn them.  There is a portable dryer available that has a stand so you can have both hands free to groom your puppy as they dry.  Remember to have a towel or rubber mat under them so they’ll have good solid footing and won’t slip and hurt themselves.

Scissoring – The only trimming that needs special attention is under the pads of the feet to  remove the hair, on the top 1/3 of the ears and around the rectum.  If you leave the hair on the ears and never trim them, then possibly the weight of the hair will not allow the ears to stand erect as they should be.  Cleaning the hair carefully around the rectum will help with cleanliness. 

Teeth – Teeth should be cleaned regularly.  Ask your veterinarian to recommend the best product and method for your dog.

Ears – Yorkshire Terrier ears should stand erect as young puppies.  To keep them erect they must be trimmed every few weeks by beginning about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the ear, carefully snipping or shaving the hair from the inner and outer surfaces of the ear. When all the hair has been snipped away, the edges of the ears may be trimmed, being extremely careful not to cut into the ear leather.  This is best done in bright light, the contour of the ear is followed and any stray hair is then snipped away.

Haircuts – For ease of care a lot of people like to have the hair kept short in a “puppy cut” or even in a modified “Schnauzer cut”.  Both can be done by a professional groomer or if you  like, can be done by yourself if you have the time and inclination.  Remember, if you make amistake, hair grows back and you can try again. 

From www.ytca.org