The 6 Best Brush for Yorkies!

The Yorkie coat

The Yorkie has a single coat that is long, silky, and glossy. Pups are born black and tan and will develop their adult coats of steel blue and tan coloring at age two. The Yorkie is a relatively easy breed to groom at home, but it is essential to use the right products and tools to avoid damaging the coat. 

Some Yorkie coat types will need to be brushed a few times a day to prevent matting. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America explains that the Yorkie should be bathed every week or two, with some Yorkies needing a bath more often than others.

The Yorkshire Terrier

The feisty Yorkie is a small dog breed that is part of the UKC Companion Group and the AKC, Toy Group. The American Kennel Club (AKC) adds that “Beneath the dainty, glossy, floor-length coat of a Yorkshire Terrier beats the heart of a feisty, old-time terrier. Yorkies earned their living as ratters in mines and mills long before they became the beribboned lapdogs of Victorian ladies.”

The Yorkie was bred to control the rat population in Yorkshire, U.K., and was a popular dog breed among weavers working in the factories because of their hunting and killing skills. This breed is a wonderful companion dog who usually weighs between 4-7 pounds and has a life expectancy of about 13-16 years.

When it comes to grooming, the Yorkie’s coat is one of its defining characteristics. The coat is long, silky, glossy, and is usually steel blue and tan. The Yorkie’s coat requires regular brushing and combing to prevent tangles and matting. It is also essential to use a good quality shampoo and conditioner to keep the coat healthy and looking its best.

The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (YTCA)

The YTCA says that the coat’s quality, texture, and quantity are prime importance in the Yorkie. The hair should be glossy, silky, and fine in texture. The YTCA explains that the “Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). 

It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired.” The fall on the head, when long, should be tied in a bow in the center of the head or parted down the middle, whereas hair on the muzzle is very long with hair trimmed short on-ear ear tips and feet for a neat look.

YTCA grooming

The YTCA adds that the correct coat will have a deep shine that reflects like metal in the sunlight. As for the cotton-coated Yorkie, the YTCA explains that this coat will mat easily and is not an easy coat to grow out. The cotton coat is usually lighter in shade, and daily brushing is needed to keep the coat healthy and free of matting.

When discussing the wooly coat, the YTCA says that this is usually thick, full, and typically very dark. They add that this coat often never goes back to the true Yorkie coloring but sometimes will lighten to a gray. This coat needs to be brushed once or twice a day to prevent matting. The YTCA recommends numerous trims for Yorkies for easier grooming. They also recommend using a really good dog shampoo and conditioner for the Yorkie to avoid tangling. 

How to groom your Yorkie?

First, you’ll need to use a wide-tooth metal comb and a good brush. The YTCA  adds “Don’t pull mats out, gently work them out with your fingers first and then the comb. Always work from the ends of the hair to the part closest to the body.” Daily brushing is recommended to keep tangles away.

Type of brush

When choosing a brush for your Yorkie, the most important factor is the type of bristles. You’ll want to select a brush that’s good at preventing and removing tangles. The We Love Doodles slicker Brush features 50% longer, denser, and softer pins. 

It works through thick and long coats removing more dog hair than traditional slicker brushes. We like this Brush for the Yorkie because each pin is bent and angled (at approximately 45 degrees), so it won’t scratch your Yorkie’s skin. 

When the slicker is used together with the We Love Doodles 4-in -1 hypoallergenic pet shampoo, you’ll be able to prevent matting and allow for optimal Yorkie skin and coat health.

Coat

Yorkies feature three different coat types: silky, soft, and wire. The most popular coat type is the silky coat, which most people think of when they picture a Yorkie. The silky coat is the AKC standard. This coat type is best seen in AKC show dogs.

This coat type is very fine and can be easily damaged, so it’s important to be gentle when brushing. The soft coat is less common and is similar to the silky coat in terms of texture. 

However, the wire coat is much coarser and more difficult to brush. Soft and wire-coated dogs may have shorter or longer hair, and the hair is coarser and denser. This coat style has a soft, woolly look, curly or wavy hair, and is more likely to have matting issues.

Textured and thicker than the silky coat, the wire coat generally does not grow past a few inches. Regardless of the coat type, all Yorkies need to be brushed frequently to prevent tangles and mats from forming. 

If you’re planning on showing your Yorkie, you’ll need to brush even more frequently to maintain the coat’s pristine condition and keep his coat long. The coat type your Yorkie inherits and which hair clip you select can influence the best brush type for Yorkie hair.

Best time to brush

The best time to brush your Yorkie’s hair is when it is dry. Wet hair is more likely to break, so you should avoid brushing when the coat is wet. If you must brush your Yorkie’s hair while it is wet, use a wide-toothed comb and take extra care to avoid tangles.

Brushing frequency

Ideally, you should brush your Yorkie’s coat every day. This will be beneficial in preventing tangles and mats from forming, and it will also help distribute the natural oils from the skin throughout the coat. 

In addition to regular brushing, you should also have your Yorkie’s coat trimmed or clipped every six to eight weeks. This will help keep the coat healthy and prevent it from getting too long and matted. If you plan to keep your Yorkie’s coat long, you should also use a leave-in conditioner to help prevent tangles.

Brushing 101

A good dog brush for Yorkies will always show the magnificence of the Yorkshire Terrier breed’s show-stopping coat. No other dog has a coat quite like it, so the best brush for a Yorkie must be able to get through those silky tresses without damaging them. 

Grooming safety tips

One important thing is to use ergonomic grooming tools that are safe for both the pet parent and pup. Grooming brushes should perform well but not accidentally harm or irritate your Yorkie’s skin or coat during grooming. You should look for the following when choosing the best Brush for your Yorkie:

• Safe, gentle, and easy to use
• A more effective grooming option
• Crafted with smooth, rounded teeth so as not to scratch your pet
• It works well for detangling.

Shampoo tips

Yorkies need to be bathed at least every two weeks. Use a certified organic dog shampoo with a conditioner like the 4-1 We Love Doodles dog shampoo made specifically for dogs, and avoid human shampoo, as this can dry out the skin. When you’re ready to bathe your Yorkie, brush his coat first to remove any tangles or mats.

Remove any tangles or mats in your dog’s long fur with a slicker brush before bathing. Give your dog’s coat an all-over brush with a bristle brush, removing dead hair. Give your dog’s coat an all-over brush with a bristle brush, removing dead hair. 

Start at the back of his head and move down the body as you thoroughly saturate his long fur. You should not get water in the ears or eyes. Then apply the shampoo to the wet fur, starting at the head and working down. 

Massage it in well. Rinse the shampoo out thoroughly, then dry your Yorkie’s coat with a towel. You can use a blow dryer set on low to help speed up the drying process.

After the bath, comb your Yorkie’s coat to remove any tangles. Be sure to use a wide-toothed steel comb and take extra care to avoid breakage. You can also use a leave-in conditioner to help prevent tangles.

Additional Yorkie dog grooming tips

In addition to regular brushing, you can do a few other things to keep your Yorkie’s coat healthy and looking its best. First, make sure you’re using the right shampoo and conditioner. 

Yorkshire Terriers have susceptible skin, so you’ll want to use a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner like the We Love Doodles 4-in -1. You should also avoid using harsh chemicals or products on your dog’s coat. Finally, be sure to trim your Yorkie’s nails regularly. 

Best brushes for the Yorkshire Terrier

Professional groomers advise against using human brushes on Yorkies due to the risk of hair breakage. Instead, you’ll want to choose a specifically designed brush for dogs. The type of brush you choose will depend on your dog’s coat type and length. For example, if your Yorkie is sporting a puppy clip, boar’s hair or nylon brushes are fine to use.

For silky coats: If your Yorkie has a silky coat, you’ll want to use a slicker brush. Slicker brushes like the We Love Doodles slicker Brush have fine metal bristles set close together. This type of brush is perfect for dealing with tangles and mats. It’s essential to be careful when using a slicker brush, as the bristles can be sharp and cause skin abrasion if used too harshly.

For wire coats: If your Yorkie has a wire coat, you’ll want to use a pin brush. Pin brushes have metal pins set further apart from the bristles on a slicker brush. This type of brush is perfect for untangling knots and dealing with mats. 

A stainless steel comb is also needed for mats. As with slicker brushes, it’s essential to be careful when using a pin brush, as the pins can be sharp and cause skin abrasion if used too harshly.

For long coats: If you plan on keeping your Yorkie’s coat long, you’ll also want to use a wide-toothed comb. Wide-toothed combs are great for detangling long coats without damaging the hair. They can also be used to distribute conditioner through the coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of coat does a Yorkie have?

A Yorkie has a single coat that is medium to long, the hair is fine and silky and can be straight or wavy.

How often should I brush my Yorkie’s coat?

You should brush your Yorkie’s coat daily, more often if necessary. Yorkies are prone to tangles and mats, so it’s important to brush regularly to prevent these from forming.

What type of brush is best for a Yorkie?

A slicker brush or a pin brush is best for a Yorkie to prevent mats and tangles from forming. You should also use a wide-spaced steel dog grooming comb to help remove tangles and mats.

How often should I bathe my Yorkie?

You should bathe your Yorkie as often as necessary, depending on how dirty or smelly they are. Some people like to bathe their Yorkies once a week, while others only need to do it every two weeks.

What type of shampoo should I use on my Yorkie?

You should use a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo on your Yorkie like the organic We Love Doodles dog shampoo. This shampoo is made with safe ingredients for puppies and dogs with sensitive skin.

How can I keep my Yorkie’s coat healthy?

You should brush your Yorkie’s coat every day and bathe them as often as necessary. You should also use a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo to prevent skin irritation. Additionally, feeding your Yorkie a healthy diet will give them the nutrients they need to maintain a healthy coat.

What are some common health problems in Yorkies?

Some common health problems in Yorkies include patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Additionally, Yorkies are prone to dental problems due to their small teeth. 

To help prevent health problems, you should take your Yorkie to the vet for regular check-ups and vaccinations. You should also brush their teeth regularly and feed them a healthy diet.

Where can I get the best product for my Yorkie?

WeLoveDoodles.com is a great place to find eco-friendly and sustainable products for your Yorkie. We offer a wide variety of products, including grooming brushes, shampoos, and combs.