| Most people feel good when they look good. Dogs, | | | | coat has standards in the length, color, texture, and |
| such as Yorkshire Terriers (Yorkies), are no different. | | | | coiffure. |
| One reason for Yorkie grooming is for vanity. But the | | | | Proper care of this style requires disciplined attention, |
| most important purpose is for the health of the dog. | | | | including daily brushing, and weekly shampooing and |
| Because pet care relies on the owner, it is vital to | | | | conditioning. If the dog will be entered in a show, the |
| learn and practice proper grooming techniques. Some | | | | coat must be wrapped to protect it from soiling and |
| people are wealthy enough to afford daily care and | | | | tangling. A top knot and bow are the crowning |
| grooming for their dogs by professionals. Most dog | | | | touches of the style. The bow can be applied in the |
| owners, however, have to do those chores at home | | | | middle of the head, or two bows can rest on both |
| between periodic visits to the pet salon. | | | | sides of hair parted in the middle. |
| Dog grooming is not only about keeping the coat | | | | In some cases, Yorkies have soft, rather than silky, |
| shiny and silky. A radiant, healthy appearance begins | | | | hair. It is not as easily maintained, due to its tendency |
| with good nutrition. Beauty, in this case, is an inside | | | | to matt and break. Shorter styles are more |
| job. There are myriads of formulas available to | | | | appropriate in this case. One such style is the puppy |
| address the nutrition needs of dogs at any age or | | | | cut, which consists of short layers of hair on the |
| size. | | | | body and surrounding the face. |
| Another component of canine care is cleanliness. All | | | | Variations of puppy cuts are the modified Schnauzer |
| parts of domestic animals have to be groomed. Ears, | | | | and the Westie cuts. The first has a very short torso |
| nails, teeth, and skin must be regularly cleaned, in | | | | clip, with longer leg hair and the traditional Schnauzer |
| order to prevent unhealthy conditions, such as gum | | | | mustache. Similarly, the Westie style is trimmed short |
| infections and lumps on the skin. Although there are | | | | on the torso, but is also cut to frame the face. |
| specific steps for taking care of each body part, the | | | | An advantage of shorter styling cuts equates to less |
| focus of this article will be the coat of the Yorkie. | | | | coat-grooming time. Other body parts must be kept |
| There are two major styles of Yorkie coats: long and | | | | up as often and as diligently as the long-haired dogs, |
| short. The standard photographs for the long-coated | | | | but a quick comb and shampoo are less |
| Yorkshire Terrier display long, silky locks with either | | | | time-consuming than untangling matts and so forth, |
| single or double topknots. This look, although usually | | | | Determining the style for Yorkie grooming depends |
| shown at contests, is not the only approved style. In | | | | primarily on how much time and energy the owner |
| fact, any Yorkie that has a brushed, clean coat has | | | | wants to devote to the tasks involved. It does not |
| an acceptable appearance. | | | | matter very much which style is chosen, because |
| When contemplating the long-coated look, there are | | | | Yorkies can have either an elegant, long-haired look, |
| many factors to consider. Of course, it is the style | | | | or a short-and-sassy demeanor. The primary reason |
| that is prominent in the breeding periodicals, the | | | | for dog grooming is to optimize the health of the |
| breed websites, and the dog shows. The Yorkshire | | | | dog. |