How to Select a Hairstyle for a Yorkie

A Yorkshire terrier's long hair lends itself to any number of styles.

Yorkies, or Yorkshire terriers, can have hair as long or longer than that of their owners. These tiny dogs are known for their fabulous flowing locks and some of their hairstyles require as much or more grooming, primping and coifing than many humans. However, just because you own a Yorkie does not mean that you have to spend hours every morning doing their hair--although some Yorkie owners do. You need to select a hairstyle for your Yorkie that accomodates the amount of time you want to spend grooming your dog and the lifestyles that you both lead.

Things You'll Need

• Yorkie grooming book
• Breed specifications
• Yorkie

Instructions

1. Evaluate your daily activities. If you and your dog get up in the morning, run a mile and then play a brisk game of catch before breakfast, then your Yorkie probably needs a low maintenance 'do. On the other hand, if your pet spends most of her day lounging on a pillow by your bed and gets up only to go out and grab the occasional bite of food or swig of water, she can probably handle a more elaborate coif.

2. Decide what look you like best. If you love the long, flowing locks of the show Yorkies on television, then you should definitely consider this look for your dog. If you especially like their little ponytails or topknots, however, you might consider letting the facial hair grow and keeping the back a little shorter.

3. Rate how easy your dog is to groom. If you have an adult dog that dreads being bathed and hates having his toenails clipped, then it may simply be impossible for you to let your dog's hair grow. Long Yorkie looks require daily grooming, and even the shorter cuts require bi-weekly bathing and brushing at the very least. If you have a puppy, start grooming them as soon as possible so that they will get used to the experience.

4. Look at things from a financial viewpoint. Grooming can be very expensive even if you do a lot or all of it yourself. You will need, at the very least, to buy your Yorkie shampoo and conditioner, a hairbrush and clippers. Many Yorkie shampoos are salon-level or better and can be very expensive. If you want to have your dog professionally groomed, it can cost anywhere from $15 at some pet stores to hundreds if you use a private groomer.

5. Make a practical decision that will make you both happy. Once you have considered how you feel about things and how much time you have to devote to your dog's hairstyle, also factor in her comfort. If your dog is easy to work with and likes being washed and brushed then it may be no problem to have a more elaborate style than the one she has now. On the other hand, if she is accustomed to just being bathed once a week and having her coat brushed out no more than twice, you may have an unhappy puppy on your hands each morning when the time comes for grooming. Factor in your needs and your dog's, then make the decision that will be right for both of you.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have not had a high-maintenance Yorkie in the past, then talk to a vet or professional groomer about what equipment, types of styling tools and products you will need to keep your Yorkie's hair and skin in good health.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish