How to Groom a Yorskshire Terrier

Owners prize the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, for their flowing coat, tiny size and lively personality. The single coat, which appears in black and tan colors, is thick, long and lustrous with the feel of silk. Although they don't shed, the coat takes a good bit of maintenance, so follow these steps to maximize your Yorkshire Terrier's beauty.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal comb with long teeth
• Dog shampoo and conditioner
• Soft pin brush with rubber back
• Number 15 blade grooming scissors
• Number 10 blade grooming scissors
• Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
• Nail clippers
• Cotton balls
• Fine toothed flea comb
• Number 5F or Number 7F blade grooming scissors
• Whitening shampoo or rinse

1. Comb hair every day using a high quality metal comb with long teeth to remove mats and tangles. The Yorkshire Terrier's soft coat constantly mats.

2. Bathe the Yorkie at least once a week using a good quality dog shampoo and conditioner, found at any pet store. Ask your breeder or pet store for a breed-specific recommendation. Once tangles are wet, work them out with your fingers.

3. Brush your Yorkie's wet fur after bathing, using a soft pin brush with a rubber back. Then comb through her fur to make sure all mats are gone. Fluff dry.

4. Wash your male Yorkshire Terrier daily with a damp cloth and warm water where urine collects in his fur. If left unclean, it could result in terrible matting, soreness or a more serious health problem.

5. Trim several areas of fur every four to six weeks. Using a number 15 blade grooming scissors, trim the fur underneath and around his pads and the fur around his rectum. Trim fur on the top third of his ears using a number 10 blade scissors, cutting fur on the inner and outer sides and edges of ears.

6. Clean teeth at least once a week with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. The Yorkie tends to get bad tartar buildup on their teeth.

7. Clip nails just after bath time, when nails are soft and easy to trim. Only clip the tips, being careful to avoid the quick, which will bleed if cut.

Tips & Warnings

• Always brush a Yorkie's hair when it is dampened with a mixture of conditioner and water.
• To remove stubborn mats, use number 7F or number 5F blade scissors to carefully clip out the mat.
• Put cotton balls in their ears when bathing to keep water from getting in their ears.
• If your Yorkie has any white areas on her fur, use a whitening shampoo or whitening rinse just on those areas to keep the white bright.
• Eye mucous accumulates under a Yorkie's eyes frequently. Use a damp cotton ball and fine toothed flea comb to remove.
• Bow your Yorkie's hair up above her forehead, between her ears to keep fur out of her eyes.
• Never brush a Yorkie when his fur is dry, as this will damage his coat.
• Never use brushes made with natural bristles, nylon bristles or with small balls on the ends of the pins. These all damage a Yorkie's fur.
• Don't leave mats and tangles in your Yorkie's fur. They just get worse over time and then are extremely painful to remove.