Yorkshire Terriers, also known as Yorkies, are small and delicate dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, this small breed was known as Toy Terrier or Broken Haired Scotch Terrier in England during the Victorian Era.
It’s believed that Yorkshire Terriers are descendants of Dandie Dinmont terrier, black and tan Manchester, and Maltese.
If you own a Yorkie, you’d already know how hard it’s to shave and maintain its fur and style. These little cute dogs have straight hair, which also means that every scissor mark made during the cutting process will be visible.
It requires a lot of care, attention, time, and effort to trim your furry friend’s hair and style them. If you’re wondering how to shave my Yorkshire Terrier efficiently, use the following step-by-step process.
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How to Shave My Yorkshire Terrier – Step by Step Guide
Yorkshire Terriers come in blue and tan colors and they have high grooming needs because of their long hair. The first step in shaving your Yorkshire Terrier is to gather the necessary grooming supplies.
It’s also important to choose a place where your pup feels comfortable so that your pet doesn’t startle. Not only will it help your dog but it’ll also allow you to complete the process quickly and effectively.
Important Note: If you own a Yorkshire Terrier and it has never been clipped before, place your clipper over your pup’s body so that it gets used to the vibration and feels comfortable before you start the clipping process.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Shampoo and Conditioner: Use a shampoo specially designed for dogs. While you don’t need to use a conditioner for most dog breeds, Yorkshire Terrier is a long-haired breed that’ll benefit greatly from a conditioner.
- Electric Clipper: Clippers come in handy if you want to give your dog a close cut. They allow you to shave off hard-to-reach areas such as footpads. A clipper will also help you not to harm your pup accidentally.
- Scissors: In addition to a clipper, scissors with round tips are a must-have tool. You can use them to trim and shape lengthier parts of your dog’s coat conveniently to achieve a flawless finish.
- Brush or Comb: Choose the brush or comb that best fits your Yorkie’s hair. You should also use a different brush or comb while clipping or cutting your dog’s hair.
- Hair Dryer: A hairdryer will help you dry your dog’s fur and get rid of the remaining hair quickly after you have finished cutting and showered it.
1. Detangle Hair
First and foremost, use a brush to detangle your dog’s hair. Brushing will allow you to remove knots and straighten the hair. It’ll make the cutting process easy.
2. Trim Facial Area
Cutting facial hair is the most critical part of the entire process. Start by trimming the hair from the ears using a #15 blade, both outside and inside. Grab your Yorkie’s ear gently and move it up and down to cut the hair. You’ll also need to use rounded scissors to even everything up.
Use a size-A comb and start trimming from the back of the head forward. Trim the hair from under the cheeks and make your way up over the top on both sides of the head. Use a longer comb when trimming hair from the head and cheeks. You can always go shorter if needed.
Now cut the hair around your dog’s eyes and then trim the whiskers using a #10 blade. You might also need to stop the process for a couple of minutes if your Yorkie is feeling uncomfortable or nervous while cutting facial hairs. Take a break and give your dog a treat.
3. Cut Hair at the Back
Start by cutting your dog’s hair at the back using the #1 snap-on comb and use a spray bottle to moisten the hair if needed. You’ll also need to repeatedly brush the hair to make sure that you cut them evenly.
4. Trim Hair From Rear Legs
Now you’ll need to trim the hair from your dog’s rear legs. Again, use the same #1 snap-on comb and then use the #30 blade to trim smaller areas such as the footpad with your clipper for finishing purposes. Be very careful while cutting hair from sensitive/sanitary areas to make sure your dog doesn’t get injured or hurt.
5. Clip the Rest
It’s time to move to the front legs, belly, chest, and neck. First, level the hair using scissors and then use the #1 snap-on comb for an even finish. Make sure that you use an electric clipper instead of a manual one or scissors for the belly. Not only will it trim the hair quickly but it’ll also allow you to ensure your dog’s safety.
6. Bathe and Dry Your Dog
Once you’re done cutting hair, give your pup a gentle bath using a dog-specific shampoo. It’ll allow you to get rid of the remaining hair from your dog’s body. After that, use a conditioner to smoothen your dog’s coat.
Finish the process using a hairdryer to get rid of the remaining wetness. You can also use a coat shine spray to give your dog a glossy coat finish.
Importance of Shaving Your Yorkshire Terrier
Grooming your Yorkshire Terrier regularly will keep its coat shiny and healthy. Cutting your pet’s hair will allow you to remove dead hairs, dust, and dirt as well. It’s especially true when it comes to the hair around the eyes and face.
Debris and food particles can get stuck into the long facial hairs of Yorkshire Terriers and it can lead to eye allergies and infections. Additionally, if your canine friend has matted hair, it can trap moisture and develop sores on its skin. That’s why it’s important to trim and groom your Yorkshire Terrier regularly.
Haircut Styles for Yorkshire Terrier
The following are some beautiful haircut styles that you can use for Yorkshire Terriers.
- Puppy Style: Puppy Style is the most popular haircut style for small dogs like Yorkshire Terriers that have long hair. In this style, the hair all over the body is trimmed at a uniform length.
- Westies Style: The Westies Style is popular among white Yorkshire Terriers, a West Highland breed. In this style, the hair on the ears and face are left a little longer than the rest of the body.
- Schnauzer Style: In this style, the hair on the legs of a Yorkshire Terrier is left a little longer than the hair on the back. The facial hairs have a Schnauzer look as they are kept longer like a beard.
- Pekingese Style: This haircut style gives Yorkshire Terriers the looks of a Pekingese dog. In this style, the hair on the ears, face, and back is kept longer than the legs.
- Teddy Bear Cut: As the name implies, this haircut style offers the look of a teddy bear. Your Yorkshire Terrier will appear more adorable with this style. The facial hairs in this style are cut in a circular fashion and the hair on the body is trimmed on the same level to give the dog a teddy bear look.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are the most frequently asked questions about the Yorkshire Terrier shaving process.
Can I Use Human Clippers on My Yorkie?
Technically, you can use human clippers on your Yorkie but it’s not advisable as their loud noise and vibration can startle your little pup. Additionally, the motor of human clippers will overheat and wear down quickly because of your dog’s thick and long coat.
Can I Cut My Yorkie Hair Myself?
Yes, you can cut your Yorkie yourself at home. All you need to do is to follow the steps discussed in this guide. Make sure that your dog feels comfortable before starting the haircutting process.
Final Words
While you can take your Yorkie to the groomer for a specific haircut style, it’s also possible to do it yourself at home. Use rounded scissors and opt for shavers/clippers specially designed for dogs for this process.
The motor of human clippers is not ideal for dogs because its loud noise and vibration can startle your Yorkie. Lastly, proceed with caution to make sure that you don’t accidentally injure or hurt your little canine friend.
