Yorkshire Terrier Grooming: Brushing, Baths and Trims

Why a Yorkie's coat needs steady care

The American Kennel Club describes the Yorkshire Terrier coat as silky hair that keeps growing, with very little shedding. That sounds easy, but hair that never sheds also never clears itself out, so loose hair stays in the coat and tangles unless you brush it out.

Puppies have a particular rough patch. The AKC says to brush daily from about 6 to 18 months, when the puppy coat is turning into the adult coat and is more prone to matting. Getting your dog used to the brush early makes every later grooming session easier for both of you.

How often to brush, and how

The AKC suggests brushing several times a week, if not daily. Start at the ends of the hair and work toward the skin, rather than dragging a brush from root to tip through a tangle, and do not brush a dirty coat. VCA Animal Hospitals adds that long, silky coats do best with daily brushing, especially around the ears, armpits and the backs of the legs.

Useful tools are a pin brush, a metal-toothed comb, a slicker brush and a conditioning spray that protects the hair while you work. A self-cleaning slicker brush is one type that speeds up clearing loose hair from the brush, and a larger self-cleaning slicker is another style some owners prefer on a longer coat. Check the skin as you go for fleas, ticks or sore spots.

Dealing with mats and tangles

Small tangles can be worked out gently with your fingers and a comb. Brush out tangles before a bath, because VCA warns they can become impossible to remove once the coat is wet.

For a large mat, VCA says to use clippers only and never scissors, because a dog's skin is easily caught in the blades. Seek a groomer or your vet for severe or widespread mats, and see a vet if a mat is causing skin irritation. If mats keep coming back, the brushing schedule is usually too thin for the coat length.

Bathing and drying

The AKC says a Yorkie in a pet trim can be bathed every two weeks, while a show coat needs a weekly bath. Use a dog-specific shampoo and conditioner made for silky coats, and warm water. VCA cautions that human products, including baby shampoo, are too harsh for dogs. For product ideas by coat, see our guide to shampoo for Yorkies.

Comb through again after the bath and dry the coat fully before it goes down for a nap. If your dog seems to need frequent baths for itching or a greasy coat, talk to your vet, since that can point to a skin issue rather than dirt.

Trims, topknots and the area around the eyes

The AKC recommends a trim every four to six weeks, done by a groomer or by you. Many pet owners choose a shorter all-over clip because it is far easier to keep tangle-free than a floor-length coat. For a trim at home, work slowly and keep hair around the face short enough that it cannot poke the eyes.

The AKC also advises cleaning the eyes daily with a dog-formulated eye wash pad to reduce tear staining and remove debris, and notes that teething can make staining worse. If one eye is red, squinting or weeping heavily, that is a vet visit rather than a grooming task.

Nails, ears and teeth

The AKC says to check and trim the nails at least every two weeks, and for a first-timer to get guidance from a vet or groomer. Our guide to trimming dog nails walks through the steps. Clean the ears at bath time with a dog ear cleaner and a cotton ball, and do not use cotton swabs.

For teeth, the AKC suggests brushing the teeth daily with a finger brush and booking regular dental checkups. Red gums, bad breath, loose or missing teeth and plaque are all reasons to see your vet. When you are ready to stock up, browse our dog brushes for the tools above, and read the Yorkshire Terrier breed profile for more on the breed.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.