Yorkshire Terrier Haircuts

Overview

When you have a Yorkshire Terrier, one thing that you'll have to decide is how long to keep the coat. Puppies are born with short coats, of course, but by the 12 month mark, or sooner in some cases, the hairs will start to grow out. Without a trim or shaping, by the 24-month mark, the coat can be floor length.

This article will cover what to know about hair cuts, the different lengths that you can choose to have for your little guy or gal, and some fun options for shaping.

Yorkshire Terrier Hair Style FAQ

What is the most popular hair cut for a Yorkie?

A short puppy cut is the top chosen hair cut for this breed. In our comprehensive owner survey (the full results are in Y.I.C.'s GIANT Book of Yorkshire Terrier Care), when asking 2,146 owners 'How do you keep your Yorkie’s coat?', the answers were as follows:

Short 52%

Medium 35%

Long 11%

Shaved 2%

Opting for a short haircut for a Yorkshire Terrier simplifies grooming significantly. Short hair prevents tangles, reduces the need for frequent brushing to just 2 to 3 times a week compared to the daily requirement for long coats, and helps a dog stay cleaner longer. Even after an active day, a Yorkie with a short haircut may appear neat and tidy. However, the trade-off with a short hairstyle is the need for regular trims to keep it looking sharp-looking and well-maintained.

How often does a Yorkshire Terrier need a hair cut?

To maintain a chosen length, the coat will need to be trimmed about every 6 to 8 weeks. This said, nothing bad will happen if a trim is skipped; the coat will just be longer and more attention will need to be paid to brushing and possible tangles.

What age should a Yorkie have their first hair cut?

If you plan on having your Yorkie's coat routinely trimmed, it's crucial to familiarize your little guy or gal with the grooming process early on. Starting as early as 4 months, consider scheduling grooming sessions every 2 months, even if a haircut isn't necessary yet. This early exposure helps your Yorkie become comfortable with the groomer and the various tools used during grooming. Introducing your puppy to grooming practices, including minor trims, can significantly ease their transition to regular grooming visits.

For a short 'puppy cut,' the initial body trim is typically required between 9 to 12 months and sometimes as late as 18 months old, aligning with the length of hair growth that necessitates a cut to maintain the style.

How long does it take a Yorkshire Terrier to grow a floor length coat?

Each dog is unique in regard to how fast the hair grows and its ability to reach floor length. In some cases, a Yorkie may not be able to grow the coat quite that long; it may stop a few inches from the floor. But, for those that are indeed able to, it can take up 2 years or more if it is left to grow and only given slight trims to keep ends healthy. So, patience will be needed.

Different Coat Lengths for the Yorkshire Terrier

Before you start thinking about any shaping (details coming up next), you may want to start off by deciding what length you want your Yorkie's coat to be. As long as you don't have the coat shaved, you can experiment a lot. Most Yorkshire Terriers have coats that grow relatively quickly, thus allowing you to try out different styles.

There are 5 main levels of hair cuts, so let's take a look at them.

Shaved

With this particular shaved hair cut, the body is clipped close but the hairs on the head are long and shaped. However, if you choose a shaved cut for your Yorkie, you can go short everywhere; it is just a matter of personal preference.

Photo: Brandy, at 2 years old, courtesy of Raffaella

Short (puppy cut)

This length is the most popular for Yorkies and is great for active dogs. It keeps a dog looking nice and tidy. The coat only needs to be brushed 2 to 3 times a week and a leave-in product to repel dirt and debris works exceptionally well with this length.

Photo: Blue, courtesy of Sharon Bellamy

Medium

This is the second most popular length to keep a Yorkshire Terrier's coat. With a medium cut, the coat looks soft and fluffy, but it's not so long that upkeep and grooming is overwhelming. While this cutie pie has a top knot, this is not necessarily needed with medium-length cuts; forehead hairs can be trimmed, if you wish.

Photo: Keeko, at 15 months, courtesy of Neal David

Long

A long length like this allows a Yorkie to really show off its wonderful coloring and color placement. Hair is free-flowing and this hair cut will look nice as long as you work to keep the coat healthy. With this length, the coat will be prone to tangles, so you'll want to comb and then brush just about every day and use a leave-in conditioner and detangler.

Photo: Pippin, courtesy of Gita Brett

Very long; floor length (show dog cut)

And, this is the longest that a Yorkie's coat can grow which is floor length and the desired cut for the show ring. This is such a pretty length but is not for everyone; it requires a lot of work; you'll be brushing every day to check for tangles and this hair cut calls for a top knot.

Photo: Marley, at 6 years old, courtesy of Donna Pool

Shaping Choices

Once a length is chosen for a Yorkie's hair cut, the next decision will be if you want any shaping to be done. A groomer that has experience with shaping can do a lot, from a rounded shape to a square shape, and everything in between.

While any shaping will not last long without touch-ups (it will most likely grow out in 6 to 8 weeks), it can be a fun way to add a bit of flair to a dog's overall appearance.

Here, we will look at some different styles that can be done; But, keep in mind that with the Yorkshire Terrier, the options are basically endless, you can take one idea and tweak it to your own personal taste.

Flared hair cut, short

With this style, the main body is clipped very close and the hair on the legs are long and flare out at the bottom. While there can be variations for the head, this cutie pie has a nice squared facial trim.

This is a cute hair style for Yorkies because there's lot of style happening, but at the same time the majority of the coat is short which keeps maintenance down.

Photo: Womble, at 1 and 1/2 years old, photo courtesy of Tony Tree (Port Alfred, South Africa)

Flared hair cut, shaved

This is a much more dramatic take on the flared cut; the body as well as the upper legs are shaved close with long flared hairs from mid-forelegs down. While the head could have any length, this little girl has long hair that tumbles over the ears. Forehead hairs are kept back in a topknot.

Photo: Emma, at 2 years old, courtesy of Karen Lipp

Teddy bear haircut

The teddy bear hair style is so adorable because it makes a Yorkie look young and super cuddly. Hairs are essentially the same length everywhere and are rounded off on the paws and face. The only downside to this hair style is that it needs to be refreshed quite often to hold its shape. Photo: Winnie Bear Lemke at 2 years old, Denise Lemke

Westie Cut

This is done with medium to long hair, giving an angled cut to the face. Starting at the base of the ears and down the entire side of the face, hairs are stacked. Side sections curve inward and almost meet under the chin. Forehead hairs can either be put back into a topknot or shaved short to keep the eyes clear.

As with other Yorkie haircut styles, this one also has different variations, as one can decide to go a bit shorter or a bit longer on the body.

Squared Puppy Cut

This is an advanced take on the basic puppy cut. When trimmed this way, the main coat is trimmed close; however, the facial hairs are neatly cut to create a square bob. Forehead hairs are left approximately 1 inch long and with a touch of gel, they will stand up, completing the cubed shape.

There are different versions of this haircut, as one may opt for longer facial hairs in order to keep a topknot or even rounded pompoms on the ankles; It is all up to the owner.

With this style, chances of tangles are zero, the face is neat and tidy and since it allows the skin to breath, it's good for summer months.

Photo: Roxy at 8 months old, photo courtesy of Erika V.

3 Layer Stack

This is such a pretty haircut style with three distinct layers. Keep in mind that while this Yorkie's second stacked layer is black and sandwiched between the gold first and third layers, this will not hold true for all Yorkshire Terriers that may have different color placement.

Though this is an adorable hair style, since layers are very long, this requires daily brushing and tangle prevention and regular touch-ups.

Yorkie Haircuts: Before and After Photos

These photos really show how a Yorkie can look like a brand new dog after a hair cut.

One-year-old Tilly (seen left; above on mobile) was over-due for her hair to be trimmed. She seems a bit aloof about her 'before' style, but in her after pics seems proud to show off her new hair cut.

Photos: Tilly, courtesy of Stephanie Thorley

And Coco (below) was really pushing the limits of how fluffy and long the coat can get without a tidy trim. She's really rocking her new look.

Yorkshire Terrier hair cut before and after pic

Coco, before and after her hair cut, photos courtesy of Sheila

Haircut Options for the Face

The neat thing about Yorkies is with just about any length you decide to have the main body, the head and face can independently have any length as well. You can have long body hairs with a trimmed face or vice-versa with a trimmed body and long hairs on the head and everything in between. Let's take a look at the 3 main lengths to choose from, keeping in mind that Yorkshire Terriers can have have any length in between these.

Closely shaved head and face

Lucy, photo courtesy of Louise Garcia

Medium length head and face

This length does not necessarily need to have a topknot; hairs can simply part in the middle and fall to the sides. Kayto, at 2 years old, photo courtesy of Letty & Angel

Long length head and face

With this much hair on the head, a topknot will be needed to keep hair out of the eyes. But that, of course, can be a lot of fun like with this little princess with her matching duckie dress and bow.

Angel, at 5 years old, photo courtesy of Deb Fisher

Helpful Haircut Tips

Choose a Professional Groomer: Unless you're experienced in dog grooming, opt for a professional. Seek recommendations from your network and check online reviews to find a reputable groomer.
Communicate Clearly with Your Groomer: To avoid any misunderstandings about the desired haircut length and style, provide the groomer with photos of your preferred look. Discuss any concerns with your groomer beforehand, especially if it's your Yorkie's first visit. If you're uncomfortable with the possibility of another groomer stepping in, request to be informed so you can decide whether to reschedule or pick up your dog.
Select a Manageable Hairstyle: Choose a hairstyle for your Yorkie that aligns with your budget, available time for grooming, and ability to maintain it. Practicality should guide your decision to ensure the chosen style is sustainable for both you and your canine family member.
Regular Grooming Schedule: Establish a consistent grooming routine to keep your Yorkie's coat in optimal condition. Regular trims help prevent matting and overgrowth, ensuring your Yorkie stays comfortable and healthy.
Prepare Your Yorkie for Grooming: Gradually acclimate your Yorkie to grooming tools and handling at home. Familiarizing them with the sensation of being brushed and touched in sensitive areas can make professional grooming sessions less stressful.
Aftercare Is Important: Post-grooming, inspect your Yorkie's skin and coat for any signs of irritation or discomfort.

By following these tips and maintaining open communication with your groomer, you can ensure that your Yorkshire Terrier not only looks great but also feels comfortable and happy with their hairstyle.

Yorkshire Terrier Hair and Coat - A fantastic overview of this breed's unique coat and super-helpful tips to keep both skin and coat exceptionally healthy.

How to Keep a Yorkshire Terrier Clean - This active little dog can look unkempt and be smelling less-than-ideal rather quickly. See our top tips for keeping your little guy or gal looking spiffy and smelling great.

The Best Shampoos and Coat Products for a Yorkie - Breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier that have a single layer of hair need superior products that are not harsh on the skin (which can lead to irritation), cause skin reactions (which can lead to itchiness) or strip the hairs (which can lead to dry and/or dull hair). This article covers shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in coat sprays.