Tag: groom

Yorkie-Poos are beautiful lap dogs. They are a crossbreed between a Yorkshire terrier and a poodle. They’re loving, adorable, smart, and full of personality. However, you have to make sure you keep them properly groomed.

And do you know what they say about a good Yorkie-poo haircut? It doesn’t exist; it’s made. Okay, I’m the only one who says that but it’s very true. 

So, in this article, I’ll share the best Yorkie-poo haircut styles. Let’s dive in. 

Cute Yorkie-Poo Haircut Styles

Here are some of my favorite Yorkie-poo hairstyles. 

1. Puppy Cut

If you’re looking for something easy that can be maintained at home, the puppy cut is your best shot. It saves you unnecessary trips to the groomer because you can do it at home. 

The puppy cut simply involves trimming all the dog’s hair to around ½ inch, except the hair on their head and face. For a little bit of swag, trim the hair on their face and head, but leave it a little longer (at least 1 inch). 

If you want the puppy cut to be perfect, avoid using human hair clippers because they don’t have enough power. Instead, invest in electric dog clippers because they are sharp enough to easily cut a dog’s hair.

 
For the puppy cut, ensure you start clipping the hair from your dog’s head and then move on to the rest of the body. This will ensure you’re trimming their hair towards the direction it grows. 

If you want the haircut to last longer, do some little touch-ups with scissors every few weeks to keep the hair even. 

2. Schnauzer Cut

The schnauzer cut is fancy and a bit costly. However, it’s worth the effort and every penny because it makes your Yorkie-poo even more adorable. 

For you to get this cut accurately, you need to start trimming your dog’s hair from neck to tail. The legs, neck, and facial hair should be left longer than other parts. How long the hair needs to be is for you to decide. 

The long hair is popularly referred to as the ‘skirt’.

As I mentioned earlier, this haircut is more costly than other basic dog haircuts since it requires time to get it right. For starters, you’ll require a professional groomer to do the haircut. And later, you’ll need to invest in electric dog clippers to trim your Yorkie-poo’s back every couple of weeks. 

3. Teddy Bear Clip

This haircut is easier to achieve than a puppy cut, and it’s also cheap maintenance. I love to call it the ‘budget haircut.’ 

All you need to get the teddy bear clip haircut is to trim your dog’s hair ( just like the puppy cut) but leave it a little bit longer, like 2 inches. Make it a little fancy, by ensuring the head hair is a little poofy, to bring out the teddy bear look. 

One precaution to take when giving your dog this haircut is the way you trim the hair near their privates. You want to make sure the hair around their private area is way shorter. This is to ensure the hair doesn’t hold some pee or poop, which can cause bacterial infections. 
The best part of the teddy bear clip is that you don’t need to use an electric dog clipper; you can do it with scissors.

 
If you decide to go with the teddy bear clip style, ensure you brush your dog’s hair every day because the hair can tangle and mat. 

4. Yorkie-Poo ‘Bad Hair Day’ Style

Who said every day has to be a good hair day? This hairstyle is for days when you and your Yorkie don’t care much about looks. You just let the hair stay shaggy with no haircuts. Your dog will still look adorable. 

If you decide to go with the bad hair day haircut, be sure to brush your dog’s hair every day to avoid mats. Remember, the latter can lead to hair loss, and they’re hard and painful to untangle. 

5. Yorkie-Poo Interview Cut

This idea is absolutely genius. It’s for Yorkie-poos who want to look like they mean business. 

The haircut is nothing complicated, really – it’s similar to the teddy bear cut, but you want to make it less poofy. This haircut is mainly great for male Yorkie-poos. Once your dog gets the haircut, buy them a small tie to complete the interview look. 

6. Yorkie-Poo Curls Haircut

This hairstyle is mainly for Yorkie-poos who have inherited most of their genes from their poodle parent. Since they already have curly hair, you trim it short and let them stay with the short adorable curls. 

Which Haircut is the Best for Your Yorkie-Poo?

There are so many factors that consider when deciding the best haircut for your Yorkie-poo. One is your budget –  if you’re willing to pay the groomer, you get a bit of flexibility for the haircuts you can get. 

The second factor is the season; for instance, a teddy bear clip may be uncomfortable for your dog during the summer.

Lastly, your dog’s hair texture should act as a guide. Certain styles look better on curly dogs and other styles work better for dogs with straight hair.

Final Words

Yorkie-poos are naturally cute. However, you can always elevate their beauty by giving them a nice hairstyle.

Never shy away from investing in a good haircut for your Yorkie and even accessorizing it!

What is your favorite Yorkie poo haircut from my list? Please share in the comment section. 

Cathy Bendzunas

Dog Blogger, Former Dog Groomer

I have adored Yorkies for well over 50 years. As a young adult, I began to show and breed them. Now, I just write about them and have several in my little pack of small dogs.

I have had dogs all my life and have trained as a dog groomer. I also have been a kennel worker, worked in a pet hotel through PetSmart, and still am a pet sitter.

Check out my bio for more information about me.

Besides being loving and cuddly dogs, Yorkies are adorable too. But seriously, with the right haircut, a Yorkie is a delight to just look at. 

However, like I always say, the perfect Yorkie haircut doesn’t exist; it’s made. And before you even think of giving your dog a cute haircut, you must understand the basics of how to cut a Yorkie’s hair first. 

In this article, I’ll be giving you a step-to-step guide on how to trim a Yorkie’s hair. And answering the common questions people ask about cutting a Yorkie’s hair. 

Let’s dive in. 

Step to Step Guide on How to Cut a Yorkie Hair

The first thing you have to do before you start cutting your Yorkies’ hair is to prepare all the materials you’ll need. This is important because you don’t want to stop in the middle to look for a hairdryer or something. 

What You’ll Need

Here is what you need to groom your Yorkie. 

• Scissors. I know you’ll have an electric clipper, but scissors really come in handy for shaping and trimming the longer areas for a smooth finish. I recommend using curved scissors to trim the face, ears, and other delicate areas. For other parts, it’s okay to use straight scissors. 
• Electric clippers. While it’s possible to give your Yorkie a complete haircut using scissors, it can be a bit risky, especially when you’re cutting hair that’s so close to their body. Electric clippers reduce the risk of hurting your dog during grooming. If you plan on giving your Yorkie haircuts at home, it’s advisable to invest in one. 
• Brush or comb. There are so many options in the market. Always choose the brush or comb that’s appropriate for your dog’s hair length. When trimming your dog’s hair, you’ll need a comb and a brush to keep their hair untangled every day. 
• Shampoo and conditioner. After the haircut, your dog will need a bath to wash off all the lost hair. As tempting as it may be to use human hair shampoo, invest in dog hair products. This is especially important when dealing with Yorkies, and using the wrong products can cause their long hair to matt. Additionally, your Yorkie may have a terrible allergy reaction to your hair products. I also love to buy coat shine spray to give my dog’s hair that extra shine.
• Hairdryer. After bathing your Yorkie, you’ll need a blow dryer to get rid of the excess dampness. You can use your own hairdryer or buy one made for dogs here on Amazon. Ensure you use the lowest power setting to avoid frightening your dog and to protect their coat as well. 

How to Trim a Yorkie’s Hair

Now that you have the tools you’ll need, it’s time to get to the real job. Let’s get started. 

1. Setup the grooming area

The best place to cut your Yorkie’s hair is on a table where you can reach them well and see all their body parts. You don’t have to have a designated hair-cutting table (although they come in handy); you can simply place clean towels on your table.

Remember to comfort and talk to your Yorkie and assure them that you’re not going to harm them. Also, during the grooming process, avoid making sudden movements that could startle your dog and make them anxious. 

2. Untangle your Yorkie’s hair

This is very important because cutting matted hair can be very painful for your dog. Unfortunately, since Yorkies have long hair, their hair is always tangling. You can see our guide on detangling spays if you have no idea how to start. 

3. Cut the Yorkie’s back hair

Start by cutting the hair on the back. If the hair is really long, you can begin by cutting it with scissors and then use the electric clipper to get the desired length.

Make good use of the comb to further straighten your Yorkie’s hair for accurate hair cutting. 

4. Cut the hair on your Yorkie’s hind legs

The next thing you need to do is cut the hair near your Yorkie’s hind legs. Again, you can start cutting the hair using scissors if needed but use the clippers to cut the hair around the footpads.

If you use scissors for the footpads, use the curvy ones and be careful not to poke your Yorkie, especially if they try to move. 

5. Cut the chest, belly, neck, and front leg hair

Some of these areas, like the neck and the belly, are very sensitive, and your Yorkie will most likely not enjoy your messing with those areas. This means you’ll need to be extra gentle and cautious when grooming these areas.

Start by petting them and making them feel comfortable before you start cutting hair around these parts. I also recommend strictly using an electric clipper to avoid any accidents. 

6. Cutting the hair “down there”

When cutting around the genitals and anus, it’s best to use clippers and set them on a shorter setting. Don’t use the clippers directly on the anus, but as close as you can get without letting the clippers touch it.

You can use the clippers on the penis of the male dog, but do not use the clippers directly on the scrotum; just go around it.

For female dogs, again go close to their private parts with the clippers but don’t directly shave it.

7. Cutting your Yorkies’ face

Your Yorkie may have a small face, but it’s usually the hardest part to trim. There is the nose, the ears, and the eyes, and during haircutting, it can feel a little crowded.

The best place to start is by cutting the hair on the ears. You can shave the flap of the ear and then trim around the edges with scissors.

For the face, you’ll need to use small rounded scissors. You need to do it slowly and be very reassuring, especially around their eyes. 

How you cut the hair around their face solely depends on the Yorkie hairstyle you want for your dog. 

TIP: I like to do the face last because it’s the hardest part and usually the most stressful to the dog. However, to keep the chance of bacteria from the genitals and rectum from getting to the eyes, I clean the clipper blades with rubbing alcohol before using them on my dogs’ faces.

8. Bathe your Yorkie

Once you’re done cutting your Yorkie’s hair, bathe them to help them relax and also get rid of the loose hair. I like to use this time to gently massage their skin with the suds. They love it and you can visibly see them relax.

After the bath, you can use the blow dryer to ensure you dry all the dampness. 

TIP: I lay a small towel in the bottom of the sink to keep the dog from slipping.

Final Thoughts

Grooming a Yorkie is among the most important care tips because their hair can get long and tangled. Since it has a human hair texture, it’s usually prone to tangling. 

Therefore, besides brushing, you want to ensure that you give them a haircut (unless you are showing your dog in the ring) every once in a while to manage the hair. 

If you need some ideas for haircuts, check out our post on summer haircuts for Yorkies (they are great any time of the year).

What’s the hardest part of cutting your Yorkie’s hair? Do you use a groomer or do it yourself?

Cathy Bendzunas

Dog Blogger, Former Dog Groomer

I have adored Yorkies for well over 50 years. As a young adult, I began to show and breed them. Now, I just write about them and have several in my little pack of small dogs.

I have had dogs all my life and have trained as a dog groomer. I also have been a kennel worker, worked in a pet hotel through PetSmart, and still am a pet sitter.

Check out my bio for more information about me.

A cute Yorkie with long, floor-length hair is amazing and picture-perfect until their hair becomes detangled or matted.

It drives you crazy, and you may even start rethinking the whole dog parenting idea. If it’s any consolation, you’re not alone in this. This Quora user and other Yorkie moms are in the same boat with you, and I have a solution.

In this article, I’ll give a detailed answer to the question: What is the best way to detangle Yorkie hair? 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Detangling Your Yorkie’s Hair

The best way to do this is to groom your Yorkie and make it a bath day. I call it “spa day” and groom all 4 of my dogs that day.

Here are the steps I follow to detangle my Yorkie’s hair. 

1. Gather Your Tools

The last thing you want is to realize that you can’t locate your detangler when your Yorkie is soaking wet. Therefore, take a few minutes and get all your tools ready before starting. 

Here is what you need: 

• A pin brush or a slicker brush
• A mat splitting tool 
• A detangling tool
• A steel comb

2. Get Dog Shampoo and Conditioner

One thing to keep in mind is that your Yorkie’s hair texture is very similar to your hair. Therefore, after detangling, it will need a deep wash with the right products. 

I love using this Organic Oatmeal Shampoo because my Yorkie has slightly sensitive skin. The shampoo smells really great, and it relaxes my Yorkie, so no more bath fights. The only precaution to take is to ensure that the shampoo doesn’t go inside your doggie’s eyes because it’s not completely tear-free, thanks to all its medicinal properties. 

For the conditioner, I recommend The Stuff. Not only does it leave your dog clean, but it also helps with the tangles. The conditioner also has silicon that repels dirt and urine, so your Yorkie’s coat will remain clean for a long time. 

Don’t bathe them yet. Just make sure you have all your tools and supplies ready. Have a few towels ready, too.

3. Locate the Tangles

This may seem unnecessary, but it’s actually very important. If you’re rough on the matted parts of your dog’s hair, it’s going to be painful, and they’ll relate the whole experience to the discomfort. 

4. Apply the Detangler

The biggest mistake you can ever make when detangling your Yorkie’s hair is trying to fix it when it’s dry. It’s going to hurt, and you’re not going to achieve any results. 

Apply a generous amount of the detangler on your doggie’s matted hair to soften it and free the mats. My go-to detangler is the detangling shine spray from Biosilk. It contains natural ingredients that reduce the stress for your dog by making brushing bearable. 

5. Use Your Hands to Detangle the Matted Hair

I know this sounds very tedious, but going straight to the comb can be very painful for your pooch. Be patient and try your best to sort out the mats by hand until you’re sure they’re ready to be brushed without too much pulling. 

6. Brush the Tangled Hair

After detangling the mats with your hands, divide the mats into the smallest portion possible and brush through each portion. This will make your work easier, and it will significantly reduce the pain for your Yorkie. 

If you don’t have a slicker brush, get this one from Flying Pawfect. It gives your dog a calming and relaxing massage as you brush through their mats. The brush is designed with 50% longer and softer pins than other slicker brushes. 

7. Bathe Your Yorkie

The last step is to bathe your Yorkie; it will help them relax after all the mats-removal ordeal. Before you soak your Yorkie in water, ensure that there are no tangles left in their hair because water will make them worse. 

Remember to use quality shampoo and conditioner to protect your Yorkie’s coat and hair. Using the right products is what gives your Yorkie that shiny coat. It also affects your Yorkie’s hair thickness, so you don’t want to compromise. 

What If the Tangles Don’t Come Out?

If you try everything and the tangles won’t come out, avoid the temptation of cutting them out with scissors. The mats can be very close to your pet’s skin, so it’s easy to cut them in the process. 

The best option at this point is to book an appointment with a groomer to deal with the matting. If the matting is too bad, the groomer may recommend a full-body shave and a few tips to prevent the issue from happening again in the future. We have tips on how to find a good dog groomer.

I know a body shave isn’t what you want to hear, because you may be concerned about whether their hair will grow back or not. Well, the hair will grow back, and we even have a few tips on how to make your Yorkie’s hair grow faster. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Detangling Yorkie’s Matted Hair

Here are the common questions people ask about detangling a Yorkie’s hair. 

Can I use my human detangler on my Yorkie?

No, it’s not advisable to use your detangler on your Yorkie. Although a Yorkie’s hair looks like human hair, there are other factors to consider. For example, your pH and your dog’s pH are not the same; dogs require products with a high pH, like 6.5-7. Therefore, using your detangler on your dog may get the job done, but it will leave their skin irritated.

Will coconut oil detangle dog hair?

Yes, like human hair, coconut oil can make the process of detangling your dog’s hair easier. This is a great option when you don’t have time to bathe your Yorkie but still need to sort out those mats. Massage coconut oil (preferably organic to avoid any allergies) on your dog’s matted hair, and once the mats are soft, detangle them with your hand and then a slicker brush. 

Do detangling sprays work for dogs?

Yes, detangler sprays work. They really come in handy for softening the dog’s mats, making the detangling easy. Also, most detanglers have natural ingredients that do more than detangle your dog’s hair. They nourish your dog’s hair and leave it shiny and beautiful. 

How to Detangle a Yorkie’s Matted Hair (Final Words)

It’s so frustrating when your Yorkie’s hair tangles – it’s not pretty to watch, and it can also lead to itching and other unpleasant health conditions. However, it can be fixed by using the steps we shared in this blog post. 

Although you can avoid matting by regularly brushing your Yorkie’s hair, with their long hair, it’s normal to miss some spots. Just ensure you act on it when you see it, and if it’s too hard for you, take them to the groomer. 

What do you use to detangle your Yorkie’s hair, and how often do you brush them?

Recommended Reading:

Buyers’ Guide for Best Detangler Spray

Trendy Summer Yorkie Haircuts

Cathy Bendzunas

Dog Blogger, Former Dog Groomer

I have adored Yorkies for well over 50 years. As a young adult, I began to show and breed them. Now, I just write about them and have several in my little pack of small dogs.

I have had dogs all my life and have trained as a dog groomer. I also have been a kennel worker, worked in a pet hotel through PetSmart, and still am a pet sitter.

Check out my bio for more information about me.

Does My Dog Need A Groomer?

Dogs must be groomed; it is a part of providing the basic care that they need.

If a long-haired dog like a Yorkie is not groomed, they will accumulate painful and unhealthy matting.

Every dog, regardless of coat type, requires nail trims. If nails are allowed to overgrow, they can cause injury to your dog’s paw pad, and they impact the way your dog can walk and move, increasing the risk of slipping and falling.

You have two options for grooming your dog: you may groom your dog at home or hire a groomer. So, if you are willing and able, you may groom your dog yourself and would not need a groomer. Here’s my choice of home grooming kits.

However, there is nothing wrong with choosing to hire a groomer if that is what the right choice for you and your dog is. Heck, I was a dog groomer for many years, but I now get my fur babies groomed by a dog groomer. It was getting too much for my back to handle myself.

Many pet parents choose to hire a groomer because they are nervous about trimming their dog’s nails for fear of cutting the quick, or because they feel that they do not have the skill to cut their dog’s hair in a stylish or cute way.

How To Find A Good Dog Groomer

There is a plethora of dog groomers available, and it is simple to begin the search for the right one for your dog by:

• Running a Google search for “dog groomer”, “pet groomer,” or “Dog grooming salon.”
• Posting on social media
• Asking neighbors
• Asking other pet parents
• Driving by shopping centers near your home
• Ask for recommendations on Nextdoor.com (that’s how I found mine)

What Qualities To Look For In A Good Dog Groomer

When searching for your dog’s groomer, search for these qualities:

• The groomer cares about your dog. Your dog should be warmly welcomed when you enter the facility. They should interact with your dog in a kind manner.
• Your dog is handled appropriately. Some dogs do not like being groomed and will fight their grooming. Therefore, grooming may require your dog to be held firmly to prevent injury. If your dog is cooperative for grooming, he or she should be handled gently to reduce stress.
• Your groomer should be aware of your dog’s physical condition. Grooming is an excellent opportunity to check for abnormalities, ticks, etc. A caring groomer will tell you if they notice an abnormality or if they removed any ticks.
• The groomer does not use cages and cage dryers. Cage-free grooming salons are the safest and lowest stress environment for your dog. These may Hed to find though. An ideal groomer has rooms or play pens instead of cages and hand dryers instead of cage dryers.
• The groomer uses cotton balls in the dog’s ears during baths. A good groomer will place cotton in a dog’s ears before bathing them to help prevent ear infections.

What Qualities To Avoid When Searching For A Dog Groomer

When searching for your dog’s groomer, these qualities are considered red flags:

• You cannot find personal references from happy customers.
• The facility is unclean. A dog spending time in an unclean facility is not only unhealthy but also counterproductive to the purpose of grooming.
• They use cage dryers. Cage dryers are uncomfortable and cause dehydration.
• They use cages. Some dogs do not like being in a cage, but they are a cause for concern beyond that. Some groomers may not be careful using the cages, which can lead to accidents; a dog could get their jaw stuck in the wire and break or dislocate it, or injure their leg on the edge of the cage if tied to it.

How Much Does Dog Grooming Cost?

Here is a list of common grooming services and what you may expect to pay for them:

• A bath generally costs between $30 to $50.
• A simple nail trim or Dremel grinding usually costs between $10 to $20.
• Services such as an ear cleaning, tooth brushing, anal gland expression, or a sanitary trim (trimming hair around genitals and anus because they become soiled if left long) generally cost between $15 to $30 each.
• A complete groom for a small long-haired dog breed, like a Yorkie or Bichon, which includes cutting their hair, a bath, and a nail trim, usually costs between $50 to $150.

Keep in mind that it is also customary to tip your dog’s groomer as you would tip your stylist at a hair salon.

Why Is Dog Grooming Expensive?

Dog grooming is a high cost for owners of long-haired breeds of dog that should be budgeted for if you do not plan to groom your dog yourself. Dog grooming is expensive because:

• Most dogs do not sit still for grooming, warranting an assistant for many grooming sessions.
• Dogs may try to bite or hump their groomer.
• Dogs may urinate or defecate on their groomer.
• Two words: anal glands. If you have never witnessed a dog’s glands being expressed, know that they produce thick, foul-smelling liquid, which is strong enough to require a wardrobe change if you are unfortunate enough to get some on your clothing.
• Groomers have to groom a dog’s entire body, not just a head of hair like human hair stylists do.
• Many dogs are not brushed as frequently as they should be, making it take longer to brush and trim their coats because of matting.

How Often Does My Dog Need To Be Groomed?

Long-haired breeds like Yorkies require daily or weekly brushing and a full groom monthly or every other month.

Regardless of coat type, all dogs require monthly nail trims.

Conclusion

Grooming your dog is a necessary part of keeping him or her healthy, and it makes them more pleasant to snuggle with, too! Finding a good groomer for your dog is crucial to your dog’s health; a bad grooming experience may traumatize your dog, making grooming difficult as a result of the negative experience.

Do you have a groomer that you love? How did you find that groomer? Share your referral and experience in the comments below to help other pet parents.

Cathy Bendzunas

Dog Blogger, Former Dog Groomer

I have adored Yorkies for well over 50 years. As a young adult, I began to show and breed them. Now, I just write about them and have several in my little pack of small dogs.

I have had dogs all my life and have trained as a dog groomer. I also have been a kennel worker, worked in a pet hotel through PetSmart, and still am a pet sitter.

Check out my bio for more information about me.