Proper Grooming for Your Yorkshire Terrier

By John P. Jackson
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest and cutest breeds of dog available today, and as such as experienced a massive rise in popularity. These dogs are highly sought after and enjoyed by singles and families alike. If you are considering getting a Yorkshire Terrier puppy or adult dog, it is important to recognize the chores that go along with owning such a breed, like grooming needs.

Yorkshire Terriers are interesting in that they do not have an undercoat. Because of this, they barely shed and are considered hypoallergenic breeds of dog. The lack of an undercoat and the style of their long, silky hair makes their fur feel a lot like the hair on the head of a human. Yorkies come in many coat varieties, all multicolored. The color combinations can include any variety of black, tans, golds, browns, and blues.

The most important aspect of grooming your Yorkshire Terrier is developing a regular brushing schedule. Since their hair is so long, it is prone to getting tangled, as tangles can turn into matting which can in turn cause your dog lots of discomfort. Acquiring the proper brushes and combs are the first step in grooming a Yorkie. You must find a long-toothed metal comb and a thin pin brush, both of which you will use to get through tangles on your dog's coat. These types of brushes and combs are necessary, as bristle brushes or other types of brushes can actually break your Yorkies coat or irritate the skin. Brushing and combing with the proper tools will instead stimulate blood flow to the skin and keep your Yorkie's coat shiny and healthy. When brushing and combing your Yorkshire Terrier, you will want to mist their coat lightly with water or heavily diluted conditioner to prevent breakage of the hair. Depending on your Yorkie's activity level, brushing should occur every day to every other day in order to prevent tangling.

Some Yorkshire Terriers are more active outside than others. For owners that primarily keep their dogs indoors, such as owners who live in high-rise buildings and use potty pads in lieu of regular walks, it is unlikely that your dog will need frequent bathing. For those who like to bring their Yorkies to the park and let them get a little messy while they play, bathing more often may be necessary. Your local pet store probably carries a wide selection of doggie shampoos and conditioners. Natural version are best, as Yorkies can have very sensitive skin. Keep the water lukewarm when you are bathing your terrier, as their skin is very susceptible to the elements and they cannot handle extreme hot or cold temperatures as well as we humans can so be careful not to burn them or give them the shakes. Bathing your Yorkshire Terrier is good for their health for the most part, but owners must be careful not to over-bathe their dogs as it can strip the fur of essential oils and lead to dry skin and other irritations.

This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Yorkshire Terrier, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Yorkshire_Terrier/.

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