The Yorkshire Terrier’s coat is renowned for its luxury and luster. Owners of these dogs are often faced with the choice of keeping their coat long and in keeping with the classic breed standard, or trimming it for ease of grooming. To make the right decision, it’s important to consider everything from the coat’s texture to its impact on the pet’s health and comfort.
Yorkies have a unique coat structure that is different from many other breeds. The main feature is the lack of an undercoat, which means their coat grows like human hair and does not shed seasonally like a double-coated dog. This makes Yorkshire Terriers less allergenic, but does require careful grooming. The long coat is prone to tangling and needs regular brushing, as the dead hairs do not fall out on their own, but remain in the general mass. Also due to the lack of undercoat, yorkies are less protected from cold and overheating, so the length of the coat plays an important role in maintaining a comfortable body temperature.
The Yorkshire Terrier with a long, well-groomed coat is the classic image of the breed that meets show standards.
For those who plan to participate in exhibitions, a long coat is a must: according to the standard, it should be straight, silky and evenly down both sides of the body. In addition to aesthetics, long hair has a protective function – it protects the skin from external influences, reduces the risk of irritations and retains natural moisture, preventing drying out. It also helps to keep them warm in cold weather, which is especially important for yorkies, because of their small size and lack of undercoat, they get cold quickly. However, long hair takes time to care for: it needs to be brushed daily, washed regularly with moisturizers and kept free of tangles.
Short haircuts: practicality and comfort
Many non-show-going yorkie owners prefer short haircuts because they make grooming easier. The shorter hair doesn’t tangle, collects less dust and dirt, and doesn’t interfere with the dog’s ability to play and walk. One of the main problems with long-haired yorkies is the formation of tangles that cause itching, irritation and even pain. Short hair minimizes this problem, allowing you to groom your dog less frequently and without complicated procedures. In addition, during the warmer seasons, a short haircut helps the Yorkie to tolerate the heat more easily, as the long coat can retain excess heat. Although some people believe that a shaved Yorkie loses its aristocratic look, there are many stylish model hairstyles that allow the dog to look well-groomed and neat while retaining its breed traits. Popular haircuts like the “teddy yorkie” or “bear face” not only give a cute look, but also make grooming much easier.
