Overview
When you have a Yorkshire Terrier, one thing that you'll have to decide is how long to keep the coat. Puppies are born with short coats, of course, but by the 12 month mark, or sooner in some cases, the hairs will start to grow out. Without a trim or shaping, by the 24-month mark, the coat can be floor length.
This article will cover what to know about hair cuts, the different lengths that you can choose to have for your little guy or gal, and some fun options for shaping.
Yorkshire Terrier Hair Style FAQ
What is the most popular hair cut for a Yorkie?
A short puppy cut is the top chosen hair cut for this breed. In our comprehensive owner survey (the full results are in Y.I.C.'s GIANT Book of Yorkshire Terrier Care), when asking 2,146 owners 'How do you keep your Yorkie’s coat?', the answers were as follows:
Short 52%
Medium 35%
Long 11%
Shaved 2%
Opting for a short haircut for a Yorkshire Terrier simplifies grooming significantly. Short hair prevents tangles, reduces the need for frequent brushing to just 2 to 3 times a week compared to the daily requirement for long coats, and helps a dog stay cleaner longer. Even after an active day, a Yorkie with a short haircut may appear neat and tidy. However, the trade-off with a short hairstyle is the need for regular trims to keep it looking sharp-looking and well-maintained.
How often does a Yorkshire Terrier need a hair cut?
To maintain a chosen length, the coat will need to be trimmed about every 6 to 8 weeks. This said, nothing bad will happen if a trim is skipped; the coat will just be longer and more attention will need to be paid to brushing and possible tangles.
What age should a Yorkie have their first hair cut?
If you plan on having your Yorkie's coat routinely trimmed, it's crucial to familiarize your little guy or gal with the grooming process early on. Starting as early as 4 months, consider scheduling grooming sessions every 2 months, even if a haircut isn't necessary yet. This early exposure helps your Yorkie become comfortable with the groomer and the various tools used during grooming. Introducing your puppy to grooming practices, including minor trims, can significantly ease their transition to regular grooming visits.
For a short 'puppy cut,' the initial body trim is typically required between 9 to 12 months and sometimes as late as 18 months old, aligning with the length of hair growth that necessitates a cut to maintain the style.
How long does it take a Yorkshire Terrier to grow a floor length coat?
Each dog is unique in regard to how fast the hair grows and its ability to reach floor length. In some cases, a Yorkie may not be able to grow the coat quite that long; it may stop a few inches from the floor. But, for those that are indeed able to, it can take up 2 years or more if it is left to grow and only given slight trims to keep ends healthy. So, patience will be needed.
Different Coat Lengths for the Yorkshire Terrier
Before you start thinking about any shaping (details coming up next), you may want to start off by deciding what length you want your Yorkie's coat to be. As long as you don't have the coat shaved, you can experiment a lot. Most Yorkshire Terriers have coats that grow relatively quickly, thus allowing you to try out different styles.
There are 5 main levels of hair cuts, so let's take a look at them.