Yorkshire Terrier Coat Elements and Tips for Their Care

Yorkshire Terrier Coat Elements and Tips for Their Care

The Yorkshire Terrier is known for its unique coat, which differs from many other dog breeds that have a double coat consisting of both an undercoat and an overcoat of hair or fur. Instead, the Yorkshire Terrier has a single layer of hair that resembles human hair in texture and growth patterns. This similarity to human hair makes the Yorkshire Terrier a popular choice for people with allergies, as it is considered more hypoallergenic than most other breeds.

Distinguishing Hair from Fur

Understanding the difference between hair and fur in dogs goes beyond mere terminology; it highlights significant variances in texture, growth patterns, and grooming requirements that impact both the dog's well-being and the owner's daily life. Here are the key distinctions between hair and fur:

1.  Growth Patterns and Length: Dog hair, such as that of Yorkshire Terriers, grows continuously, allowing for longer lengths and varied styling, while fur has a predetermined length before shedding, resulting in distinct grooming needs.

2.  Renewal Cycle and Shedding: Hair has a slower renewal cycle than fur, involving growth, rest, and shedding phases, resulting in less frequent shedding. This characteristic is advantageous for allergy sufferers or individuals seeking to minimize pet hair in their surroundings. While this often categorizes hair-coated breeds as hypoallergenic, no breed is entirely devoid of allergens.

3.  Texture and Density: Hair typically has a smoother and silkier texture compared to fur due to the absence of coarse guard hairs characteristic of fur. Moreover, hair is less densely packed on the skin, with fewer follicles per square inch. This lower density contributes to the sleek, polished appearance of hair-coated breeds and influences the most effective grooming techniques and tools for their care.

Silky Coats: Most Yorkshire Terriers feature silky coats as a defining trait of the breed. The AKC breed standard describes this as ‘Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture’. The coat is straight and can grow quite long, as indicated in the breed standard ‘Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight’.  

Maintaining silky coats poses challenges such as ensuring proper skin moisturization, preserving the hairs' condition to prevent texture loss from drying and split ends, and preventing tangles in medium to long-length coats. 

Yorkshire Terrier Shedding: Renewal Process

The Yorkshire Terrier, with its hair coat, does not undergo a typical shedding phase seen in breeds with fur. However, hair does fall out naturally to refresh the coat.

Hairs follow a cycle of growth (active hair follicles), rest (15 to 20% of hairs in this phase at a given time), and fall (hair loosens and sheds from the follicle). Due to the fine nature of a Yorkie's hair, fallen hairs may not be visible on the ground, but stray hairs are normal during grooming. 

Coat Changes from Puppy to Adult: Texture and Length

As a Yorkshire Terrier matures from a puppy to an adult, remarkable changes occur in the coat.

Texture: The Yorkshire Terrier's coat transitions from the softer, more manageable puppy coat to the fine, silky texture of an adult. This silky texture is a breed characteristic that necessitates regular grooming for health and sheen maintenance.

Length: Adult Yorkies can grow their hair to floor-length, typically reaching this milestone between 18 to 24 months. For owners preferring a shorter 'puppy' style, the first trim usually occurs within the first year. Early grooming sessions are essential for a Yorkie to become accustomed to handling and grooming tools.

Tips for Proper Yorkshire Terrier Coat Care

A Yorkshire Terrier's hair coat can be stunningly beautiful with shine and softness, regardless of length. However, factors like dry air, sun exposure, and friction can adversely affect it. The choice of products (shampoo, conditioner, coat spray) and grooming tools (combs, brushes) significantly impacts the quality of a Yorkie's hair. 

Common coat issues like dry/brittle texture, split ends, or lack of shine can be addressed by making adjustments to improve a Yorkie's skin health. 

Bathe your Yorkie every 3 weeks for renewal and restoration.

Maintaining a healthy, vibrant coat in a Yorkshire Terrier involves finding the right balance in bathing frequency. Bathing too frequently can strip natural oils, disrupting the skin's moisture balance, while infrequent baths lead to oil buildup, skin pore clogging, and odor. For most Yorkies, bathing every three weeks strikes a balance, with exceptions for specific skin or coat issues requiring specialized care.

Use high-quality bathing products.

Choosing superior shampoos and conditioners with a pH balance of 6.5 to 7.5, plant-based cleansers, and no harmful additives or preservatives is crucial. Products like Earthbath Shampoo offer all-natural, skin-friendly options for Yorkies, with variants like Oatmeal and Aloe for general use, Mediterranean Magic for odor control, and Eucalyptus and Peppermint for soothing irritated skin. 

Protect the coat with a leave-in spray.

A leave-in conditioner spray can benefit a Yorkie's coat, providing protection against dirt, debris, allergens, friction, and environmental elements while locking in moisture, detangling, and imparting a pleasant fragrance. 

Quality products like The Stuff and Nootie Daily Spritz offer effective solutions for maintaining healthy, fragrant hair in Yorkies. 

Choose the right combs and brushes.

Using appropriate brushes tailored to a Yorkie's coat length is essential. For puppies and short-coated adults, a bristle brush like the Chris Christensen Soft Tufted Boar is recommended. For medium to long-coated Yorkies, a pin brush such as the Chris Christensen 20 mm Tiny Toy Wooden Pin Brush is ideal for detangling and maintaining a shiny coat.