Yorkshire terrier haircuts: types and selection rules
The Yorkshire Terrier is not just a cheerful and active dog that loves communication and active play. Dogs of this breed have long hair, which requires careful grooming from the owner. To make the coat look neat and become a real decoration for the dog, you need to visit the "dog hairdresser" in a timely manner or cut the dog yourself. This is not only a necessity, but a pleasant duty, because you can create a variety of hairstyles for your four-legged friend.
Requirements
Thanks to their long hair, Yorkies look very cute and touching. They have no undercoat, which makes it easier to care for the appearance of these dogs. You just need to make some effort - in a timely manner to wash the pet, comb and trim. The structure of the pile of these dogs is in many ways similar to human hair, which is very conducive to the creation of masterpieces of hairdressing. That is why the coat of such dogs is often referred to as hair.
The root of each hair of the Yorkshire Terrier has a separate bulb, so that molt is not threatened by these animals. But their beautiful hair is constantly growing back, so that the dog does not get bogged down in tangles, it needs to be cut.
It is advisable to visit the groomer every 2 months, and if you have a special model haircut, you need to do this even more often.
Some owners of these playful babies believe that it is not necessary to trim the pet's fur coat in winter to keep the dog warmer. In fact, long "curls" do not add comfort to dogs in the cold season, just as a person is not warmed by too long hair.They simply make the appearance of the dog less well-groomed, since the regrown hairs begin to split and break, or even get tangled. After cutting, the pile will not fall into mats under warm clothes, which are usually worn by pets in the cold season, and besides, snow will not adhere to it.
Haircut options for this breed, of course, are not limited to a "zero" haircut. They give the owner the opportunity to choose a model to their liking. Like haircuts for people, dogs can have different lengths, shapes, elastic bands, ribbons and other accessories are allowed. The most desperate fashionistas can create the image of their four-footed friend to suit their own style. In case of an unsuccessful experiment, you can simply wait until the Yorkie's fur coat grows back and try a different haircut.
At what age to cut dogs?
Puppy care begins a few weeks after birth. At 5 days, his claws are already trimmed, at 3 weeks the procedure is repeated, at 1.5 months you need to cut the fur of the groin area. At 4 months it's time for the dog to do the first haircut for hygienic purposes, and already from six months you can switch to model ones. Some dog breeders believe that taking a baby to a groomer for up to a year is harmful, as in this case the coat will grow worse.
In fact, everything is different, after shearing the gun, a new thick coat grows on the dog's body, which looks healthy and well-groomed. During the first trip to the hairdresser, the master treats the dog's entire croup and anus, removes the length on the back, ears, paws, armpits, between the fingers and forms a beautiful bang.
Further regular haircuts allow the dog to look gorgeous: the coat acquires a silvery tint and flows beautifully, which is very pleasing to the owner and the dog himself.
How to cut your ears?
Ears should be kept clean at all times, so it is extremely important to trim this area. If you neglect this recommendation, then under the weight of the hair, they can simply sag. If this happens to the puppy, then the previous form may no longer be restored. The haircut takes place in the shape of the Latin letter V upside down. In this case, only the upper third of the ear is processed, although in puppies the processing area can be increased to half.
You can use not only scissors, but also a trimmer, clipper or razor. Movements should be made in the direction of hair growth, both from the outside and from the inside of the ear. To create a beautiful tip, you need to finish your haircut with scissors. Note that inside the ear, hairs should be plucked, not clipped. Even short hair in this place prevents good "airing" of the auricle. In addition, more sulfur accumulates in it, and this can cause inflammatory processes.
Views
When going to a groomer, you need to have an idea of what Yorkie haircuts exist. Then you can explain to the master what you want, and he will do his job well.
Hygienic
We have already spoken about it above. This haircut serves to maintain the normal health of the dog, and in summer, especially in the southern regions, it allows the pet to maintain good health in hot weather. Any length can be done, the main thing is to get rid of too long vegetation in the indicated zones. Most often, Yorkshire owners prefer to do such a haircut "to zero" so as not to go to the salon too often.
Cosmetic
It is necessary for participation in exhibitions and competitions, therefore the length is determined by the rules of the event. The groin, armpits, gaps between the fingers and one third of the ears are trimmed. All other coats are trimmed to the standard, but not clipped. Before the event, you need to comb it thoroughly.
Model
Model haircuts are not suitable for exhibitions. They are not regulated by regulations, which means that the owner and the hairdresser can dream up to their hearts content - braid various braids, cut figures, shave the dog like a representative of a different breed, or do something unpredictable. Schemes for dog haircuts are available in huge numbers on the Internet. The main thing is that all these manipulations do not harm the animal and do not cause him severe discomfort.... Let's take a closer look at popular models.
Kawaii, or Korean haircut
With her help, the dog gets a cute chrysalis look.A little girl trimmed in this way looks so adorable that she can be mistaken for a toy. The cheeks are shaved carefully, the entire muzzle is shaved, while long hair remains in the area behind the ears. They are either cut with a hat, or they leave more length so that a standard tail can be made.
They cut the dog's neck no less carefully, and as for the length of the hair on the dog's body, then each owner can decide for himself. The final result looks impressive. After kawaii, caring for a four-legged friend becomes noticeably easier. True, in order to return the usual length of the pet's coat, you will have to wait at least six months.
Chinchilla
This beautiful furry animal has inspired canine beauty masters to create chic hairstyles with an unusual texture. To create the effect of a chinchilla fur coat, excess hair is cut from the whole body, leaving no more than 13 mm in length. After that, thin stripes are cut off the dog's body, as a result of which a characteristic pattern is obtained. Alternatively, instead of lines, the hairdresser can shave "scales" like those of a fish or another pattern that the owner wants to see. A week later, when the hairs grow back just a little, the hairstyle looks even more beautiful.
"To the poodle"
The groomer cuts the entire body short without touching the pants area. The muzzle is also cut like a poodle - in a circle. As a result, the forehead is exposed, but in the girly version, the fur is left to create a flirty ponytail with a bow.
How to choose a haircut?
According to the capabilities of the owner
Usually, the choice of hairstyle is made based on the owners' free time to take care of it. So, longer pet hair requires more care, you will need trips to the hairdresser or self-cutting, regular brushing. Families with children, who often walk their pet and love active games, usually cut their dogs shorter so as not to fiddle with tangles and wash their pet after every fun walk.
Of course, a completely zero hairstyle will not free you from hygiene procedures, but you will have to do them much less often. If the aesthetic component is very important to you, then even your dog should shine with a gorgeous hairstyle - be prepared to constantly monitor her and spend money on a groomer.
By hair type
There are other principles for choosing a hairstyle for a Yorkie, for example, the type of wool. Smooth with a shine is more capricious, that is, it requires more maintenance, but with it you can implement more creative ideas. A coarse coat does not give so many hairstyle variations, it is better to cut it to a medium length. Too short will not look very beautiful, and a long one will electrify and crumple. Best of all, the Korean style is suitable for the owners of such a fur coat.
By gender
It is logical that for boys the classic versions are most often used without unnecessary "tinsel". These are straight lines, a short length on the face, the limbs of the poodle and the absence of bangs, because they still do not wear bows. A la Schnauzer hairstyle is a great option for male Yorkies. It assumes a carefully trimmed body, long hair remains on the paws and cheeks, and a sharp beard is formed. At the same time, the short nape and ears emphasize the dog's wedge-shaped bangs.
Girls are characterized by an abundance of bows and hairpins; therefore, they usually keep their bangs. The haircut of the body also has its own peculiarities - they model the "skirt". This is done this way: with a strongly cut back, elongated hair remains on the tail and hind legs. The "French braid" looks spectacular on the body of Yorkshire girls. To braid it, the groomer leaves a long coat on the back. Alternatively, you can braid a few simple braids.
How to cut at home?
Grooming is not such a difficult matter, if desired, any owner can master it. It is not at all necessary to go to the "dog hairdressers" for your pet to look irresistible - try to take on the role of a groomer and cut it at home.
To do this, you will need to study the principles of haircuts on the Internet, read special books, you can even attend special classes.
After that, you will become the best stylist for your dog, because he will be your only and favorite client.
When the necessary knowledge has been obtained, you can start buying the toolkit:
- scissors of different sizes and bends, some will be used for processing the legs, others for the tail, etc.;
- thinning tool;
- a hair clipper with special attachments - they differ from the standard ones that people use in a number of characteristics;
- comb with teeth of different lengths;
- a mat that will prevent the dog from sliding while working.
Please note that combs should not be made of plastic; metal models are better suited for these purposes. Special clippers should not have plastic attachments, as they worsen the final result. Dog models usually work silently so as not to scare the doggie with harsh sounds, in addition, they do not get clogged with hair like "human" hair clippers.
It is not recommended to wear synthetic clothing during the procedure. It electrifies the hair, it "stands on end." This will make the work much more difficult.
How to teach?
Many owners wonder if the pet will resist the actions of the hairdresser. Fears are not devoid of logic, but it will be easier to avoid problems if you start haircuts in a timely manner, that is, from a puppy's age. You will have to take your pet to the groomer at least every 2 months, and these visits should not become torture for the owner and his pet... However, there are "dog lovers" who cut their Yorkshires' fur only once every six months. If the owners trim their claws in a timely manner and monitor hygiene, then this option is quite acceptable.
Since the first haircuts are at a puppy's age, the animal still does not have very much fur. This makes the process of cutting less time-consuming and is beneficial for the habit of using the procedure. Before the haircut begins, the hair is combed. Train your puppy to brush with a soft brush or comb. Run it along the back, legs, tail and head.
Give the doggie a treat after the end of this manipulation and stroke it. If you plan to cut your dog yourself, then in the next step, when he gets used to the comb, you can connect the scissors. If you take her to the hairdresser, then your home "training" will also be beneficial, because the puppy will not perceive brushing as something unpleasant. After that, the groomer will easily go directly to the haircut.
When creating another masterpiece of hairdressing on the body of your beloved Yorkie, remember that he should be comfortable with this hairstyle.
In no case should rubber bands and hairpins interfere with the animal or bend its ears, otherwise it will not be able to share your joy about its new glamorous look.
Trust your pet to professional groomers who will give your four-legged friend an original and creative look. And if you enjoy learning new things, then try to master grooming yourself, and then you will not have to spend money on trips to dog hairdressers.
It is better to learn the grooming technique using video tutorials. One of them is presented in the following video.