Yorkies are a toy breed that gained popularity because of their small size and unique personality. They offer dog owners a lot of love in a bite-size package. That’s another reason many people decide to own a Yorkie and it has to do with the answer to “Do Yorkies Shed?”
Dog Owners Ask: Do Yorkies Shed?
Do Yorkies Shed? Yes, they do shed, but not the way that other dogs shed. Yorkies have different growth and shedding cycles than other dogs. The shedding that occurs with Yorkies falls back into the coat, so it’s not as noticeable.
Do Yorkies Shed A Lot?
No, since Yorkies only have a single coat of hair vs. a double coat like some dogs, they do not shed a lot. Most Yorkie owners don’t even notice their shedding. It’s only when they are brushing their dog’s hair that they see the shedding of the hair on the brush.
How a Yorkie’s Hair Sheds
A Yorkie’s fur isn’t fur at all. The breed has silky hair. There’s only one coat as well. Unlike dogs with a double coat, they don’t need to shed their undercoat during the warmer months.
With not having much hair to lose AND not dropping hair very easily from the body, it can appear that Yorkies don’t shed. This is great for dog owners who really don’t want a pet that sheds fur all over the house.
Caring for a Yorkie’s Hair
Paris, the D.O.G. Yorkie, is the least shedding pup we have in our home. Her breeder recommended using human shampoo with conditioner when bathing her because a Yorkie’s hair is like a human’s hair. We tried this but noticed it made her hair look greasy. Instead, we use a calming CDB shampoo because it has so many benefits besides making her hair look clean and luster.
It’s a good idea that a Yorkshire Terrier receives regular brushing. This removes dead hair and keeps the long hair tangling. Yes, just like human hair, it tangles. Unlike human hair, it mats like other canine furs, which can turn into a mess.
It only takes 5 minutes to comb through your Yorkie’s coat, so spend this quality time with your Yorkie’s hair.
Bathing a Yorkshire Terrier
A Yorkshire Terrier should have a bath weekly. This includes when your Yorkie looks clean. It will help keep your dog’s hair from tangling and it removes dead hair easily.
The D.O.G. Family usually puts Yorkie Paris into the shower stall for a bath. We put the shower head attachment on her to make sure she’s thoroughly wet. We then put the CBD dog shampoo on her and let it sit for a few minutes.
Even though Yorkie Paris has been having showers for the 7 years she’s been alive, she still gets a bit nervous. The CBD helps calm her anxiety. In addition, CBD has so many benefits, including the prevention of skin infections, allergic reactions or dog allergies, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and so much more. Read about them here: CBD Dog Shampoo Benefits
After a few minutes, we use the shower head to rinse her off.
Paris then gets her pet towel to dry off. She enjoys rubbing her entire body on it over and over again until she’s so exhausted from all of the fun.
That’s the cue for blow-drying time. Just like with human hair, we dry our Yorkie hair with a blow-drying on a medium heat setting. In just a few minutes (the glory of a small dog), she’s dry and ready for her style.
Yorkie dog hair doesn’t have to be styled of course, but it is a good idea to run the dog comb/brush through the single coat. This ensures no tangles or snarls remain to grow bigger.
Learn More: Why Is My Dog Shedding So Much After a Bath
The Differences Between a Yorkie Puppy Coat and Adult Coat
When Yorkie Paris was a baby, her coat was dark, short, and matted all the time. We had to keep up on the brushing or it would easily become a huge matt mess. It was likely due to the growing and changing of her hair into the adult coat. When loose hairs fell onto the rest of the hair, it would tangle up into it easily.
As the coat change happened, we noticed that loose hairs would stay on top of our Yorkshire Terrier’s coat. In a sense, it was just waiting for it to be removed. This has made our lives much easier to keep up with our Yorkie Paris’ grooming over the years.
To Grow or Not Grow? – That Is the Question
A Yorkie’s coat can grow very long. They are known for their long silky hair, after all. Hair growth is fast and the new hair is often fine and beautiful. This is why many professional breeders let their Yorkshire Terriers in dog shows.
As a Yorkie owner though, you may not share in the same desire to have a longer coat. Shorter hair is definitely easier to care for just like it is for people, but of course, that means cutting your Yorkie’s hair regularly.
A good-quality dog grooming tool can make the process much easier. We use one like this one on our pup and she doesn’t mind it. We tried scissors and she was scared of them.
Use Dog Shirts for Shedding
To prevent your dog’s shedding hair from getting all over your home and car, consider dog shirts. They cover your dog’s body, which keeps the loose hair inside of it for when you’re ready to dispose of it. Learn more about it here: Do Dog Shirts Help with Shedding
Fish Oil Supplement for Shedding
For dogs that don’t get enough essential fatty acids in their diet, fish oil supplements can help reduce shedding. You can learn more about fish oil for shedding by reading: Does Fish Oil Stop Dogs from Shedding
Final Answer: Do Yorkies Shed?
Some people will tell you that Yorkies don’t shed, but they do shed. It’s just not nearly as much as a fur coat. Yorkies shed in their own unique way because they have hair, not fur. This is what makes the dog breed hypoallergenic.
Hypoallergenic dogs are perfect for people who are allergic to dog fur. With the Yorkie’s coat being a hair and not fur, people with dog allergies are safe.
When you’re ready, you may want to check out this article: First Time Dog Owner Checklist
If you have another dog that’s a Maltipoo or know someone with one, feel free to read/share this article: Do Maltipoos Shed?
Related Articles:
Why Does My Dog Shed in the Winter
FAQ Section
The following are the most commonly asked questions about Yorkies.
[saswp_tiny_multiple_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”How bad does a Yorkie shed?” answer-0=”Yorkshire terriers, also known as Yorkies, are a breed of small dogs that are known for their long, silky coats. They are considered to be low shedding dogs, meaning that they do not shed as much as some other breeds. However, they do still shed some hair, and it is important to groom them regularly to keep their coat in good condition and minimize shedding.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h2″ question-1=”Are Yorkies high maintenance?” answer-1=”Yorkies are generally considered to be high maintenance in terms of grooming, as their long coats require regular grooming to keep them looking their best. This includes brushing their coat at least once a week to remove any loose hair and tangles, as well as bathing them every 2-3 weeks. In addition to grooming, Yorkies can also be high maintenance in terms of their energy level and need for attention. They are a breed that is known for being very energetic and playful, and they require regular exercise and playtime to stay happy and healthy. They also crave attention and can become anxious or destructive if they do not receive enough mental and physical stimulation. Overall, while Yorkies can be high maintenance in some areas, they are also a very affectionate and loyal breed that can make great companions for the right person. If you are willing to put in the time and effort to groom and exercise them regularly, a Yorkie can be a wonderful addition to your family.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”Are Yorkies hypoallergenic?” answer-2=”While Yorkies are not completely hypoallergenic, they are considered to be a good choice for people who are allergic to dogs because they are low shedding and produce less dander (dead skin cells that can trigger allergies) than some other breeds.” image-2=”” headline-3=”h2″ question-3=”Do Yorkies shed and bark a lot?” answer-3=”Yorkies are generally considered to be low shedding dogs, meaning that they do not shed as much as some other breeds. However, they do still shed some hair, and it is important to groom them regularly to keep their coat in good condition and minimize shedding. As for barking, Yorkies can be prone to barking, especially if they are not trained properly or if they are not getting enough mental and physical stimulation. Like all breeds, Yorkies should be taught appropriate barking behaviors from an early age, and it is important to provide them with regular exercise and mental stimulation to help prevent excessive barking.” image-3=”” count=”4″ html=”true”]
