To shave or not to shave your Yorkie? It is the most lingering question many pet owners tend to ask themselves when there is a change in the temperature outside. Yorkies have some unique traits that make them different from other dogs. However, it might not be a good idea to shave it once and for all.

 

Should Yorkies Be Shaved?

No, it is not a great idea. Yorkies have much thinner skin and more dense, unlike humans. Their delicate skin without their hair can be at risk from harmful rays of the sun no matter what season of the year.

In this article, you will learn about Yorkies grooming in general, and if you should or should not shave your pet.

Yorkie Hair

Yorkies have hair, not fur. Yorkies are single-coated breeds, and it mostly resembles human hair. It grows continuously, needs special grooming, and eventually needs to be trimmed and not fully shaved. Yorkie hair is considered to be non-shredding, which is perfect for people who have allergies to dogs.

As mentioned, Yorkies have a single coat. Their coats are there for protection for the weather. It is both in hot and cold temperatures, and coats are needed to be clean, well-conditioned, well-brushed, but it is essential to know that they need their coat. A coat provides them insulation from both cold and hot weather, it can keep them dry, and it protects their skin from the external environment.

The Dangers Of Shaving Your Yorkie’s Coat

Because coats are essential for Yorkies, they need them to be able to insulate their body and shaving them may cause more harm than any good. When you shave their single-coat, you are exposing their skin and making them vulnerable to the dangers of the sun. They can get skin cancer, bug bites, or even heat stroke. Shaving can also lead them to have patches of irregular hairs that didn’t grow back correctly, or it can grow back in a different color. It is recommended to have the topcoat clipped by a professional groomer.

Alternatives To Shaving

As you can probably tell, shaving does not do any good for your Yorkie, and it will not make them a happy dog. Here are some few suggestions and some alternative to shaving to help your little poochy friend:

Groom Your Dog Regularly

Grooming can help in so many ways, and if you properly do that to your Yorkie, you won’t have to worry about getting long hair for them. It includes brushing the fur and some bathing. Grooming for Yorkies includes proper trimming to make it more manageable during the hot season.

Provide Unlimited Access To Cold, Fresh Water

Just like humans, Yorkies rely on water to keep them hydrated. Giving them fresh and cold water can help alleviate the hot summer season and can provide them with a cooling sensation all over their body. Especially after being outside for a while, this can help to cool them down properly.

Conclusion

Shaving is not really up for the table for Yorkies. Experts don’t usually recommend them because it can do more harm to them, especially with their little fragile body. Their coats are there for a reason to stay them cool, especially during the hot season. Remember always to observe your Yorkie’s behavior to keep them happy. A happy Yorkie is a healthy Yorkie.

 

Should A Yorkie Be Shaved?

Responsible Yorkie owners are always looking out for their pets’ well-being, especially that Yorkies aren’t a hardy breed. An essential aspect of a Yorkie’s well-being is keeping his hair at the right length, depending on the season. Such an issue usually comes up when the summer season rolls along.

Should a Yorkie be shaved? No, a Yorkie should ideally not be shaved for safety reasons. But there are alternatives to shaving that will keep your Yorkie cool and beautiful even during the height of summer.

A Must-Read: Yorkie Grooming Tools

In the following sections, we will look at the reasons for the no-shaving recommendation. We will also discuss the alternatives that will provide better results than shaving. 

The Health Risks Of Shaving Yorkie’s Hair

Keep in mind that Yorkies don’t have fur! Instead, they have hair that closely resembles human hair, and it’s considered as non-shedding hair, too. It is one of the things for which yorkies are known. They are also single-coated breeds and, thus, a complete shave will bare their skin.

Their single coat protects them from the cold temperatures of winter and the hot days of summer. Indeed, it’s their best natural insulation! They need their single coat to keep them dry and protect them from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Think about the dangers that your Yorkie will face if you decide to shave his coat completely. You’re exposing him to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, especially when he’s outdoors. Your Yorkie’s risk of sunburns and, worse, skin cancer, will increase as a result.

You may also be increasing his risk of a heat stroke since his natural temperature regulator was shaved off. You may also notice that he has more bites from bugs and mosquitoes on his skin.

Of course, it’s a big no-no to shave your Yorkie’s hair during the winter! He needs his luxurious hair for protection against the cold. 

You may just end up with patches of hair that are of different lengths and a different color when they grow back. You will then regret shaving off its hair because your pet doesn’t look like its usual self.

Better Alternatives To Shaving

There is no need for radical grooming during the summer months! There are several alternatives to shaving that will make your Yorkie look and feel better, even with full hair.

Groom your Yorkie regularly to ensure that his hair stays smooth, silky, and shiny. You can either get him to a professional groomer or groom him yourself using the proper tools.

Give him unlimited access to freshwater, so he’s always well-hydrated. It is true whether it is summer or winter since both seasons mean dry temperatures. Use a pet water dispenser for this purpose.

If you use an electric razor on your pet, you should be careful about giving him a close shave! You must leave an inch of hair, at least, as protection. 

Conclusion

Yorkies have such beautiful hair that it would be a shame to shave it! Unless advised by a vet for medical reasons, leave some hair on your Yorkie and groom it as often as necessary.