The Yorkie Top Knot

Some owners will choose to keep the forehead hairs trimmed and short, thus a Yorkie top knot is not required...

Others who opt to keep the coat longer or choose to keep just the forehead hairs long, will find that the coat on this area grows quickly.

The purpose of the bow is to keep the hairs free of moisture (when the dog is drinking), free of debris (when he dog is eating) and for clear vision, as the hairs will freely fall into the face and in front of the eyes if this is not done.

Top knots are just a way of neatly keeping the hair out of a Yorkie's face and eyes, if the dog has long hairs on the top of his head between his ears. It is also, of course, a great way to make the dog look cute. Aside from a collar, this is the only real accessory a Yorkie has, so it can be fun to add color and style to a dog's overall look. 

Tying a top knot is not that difficult. However, some owners will choose to create very fancy and intricate top knots. Below are step by step instructions to make a simple Yorkie top knot.
Some owners will choose to keep the forehead hairs trimmed and short, thus a Yorkie top knot is not required...

Others who opt to keep the coat longer or choose to keep just the forehead hairs long, will find that the coat on this area grows quickly.

The purpose of the bow is to keep the hairs free of moisture (when the dog is drinking), free of debris (when he dog is eating) and for clear vision, as the hairs will freely fall into the face and in front of the eyes if this is not done.

Top knots are just a way of neatly keeping the hair out of a Yorkie's face and eyes, if the dog has long hairs on the top of his head between his ears. It is also, of course, a great way to make the dog look cute. Aside from a collar, this is the only real accessory a Yorkie has, so it can be fun to add color and style to a dog's overall look. 

Tying a top knot is not that difficult. However, some owners will choose to create very fancy and intricate top knots. Below are step by step instructions to make a simple Yorkie top knot.
Yorkshire Terrier with cute topknot bow
Mystic | 2 years old | Owner: Melissa Hall
You Will Need:
  • Small tooth comb
  • Small pin brush
  • Latex bands
  • Bow gel - optional, but will help to keep hairs together and in place, which makes this easier to do
making a topknot on a yorkie
Learn How To Make a Yorkshire Terrier Topknot

Don't worry if your first few topknots come out a bit crooked. It takes practice to have it be centered nicely...and it also takes several tries for an owner to learn how their particular dog's hair tends to fall. Before you know it, you'll learn to make topknots like a professional groomer.

1. Use the pin brush to make sure all tangles are gone and you are working with nice, sleek hair.

2. You must first make a part in the hair with the comb. There is a small bump on the center of the head. Use this as your stopping point when making the part from front to back. You will want to think of a triangle. 

You will gather hair from the outer edge of each eye and part back to the bump. Spray this section with bow gel (found at any pet supply store or online store), this keeps that section smooth and static-free.

3. Now that the hair is gathered, Divide this long hair into two sections: front and back.
making a topknot on a yorkie
Learn How To Make a Yorkshire Terrier Topknot

Don't worry if your first few topknots come out a bit crooked. It takes practice to have it be centered nicely...and it also takes several tries for an owner to learn how their particular dog's hair tends to fall. Before you know it, you'll learn to make topknots like a professional groomer.

1. Use the pin brush to make sure all tangles are gone and you are working with nice, sleek hair.

2. You must first make a part in the hair with the comb. There is a small bump on the center of the head. Use this as your stopping point when making the part from front to back. You will want to think of a triangle. 

You will gather hair from the outer edge of each eye and part back to the bump. Spray this section with bow gel (found at any pet supply store or online store), this keeps that section smooth and static-free.

3. Now that the hair is gathered, Divide this long hair into two sections: front and back.
4. Put a band around the front section, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the skin

5. From the front section, hold some hairs from the center/back with one hand and push the band all the way down to the head of your Yorkie.

6. Repeat the above steps for the back section you created on your dog's head; however you will use a few hairs from the center/front when pushing the band down.

7, Place your chosen bow on the front section

8. Once the bow is in place, gather both front and back sections together and use a final band to connect them. The connection should be slightly above the bow.
Care Tips

1) Anything that touches your Yorkie's hair, from grooming products like shampoo to leave-in spritzes and bows should all be high quality.  It's better to have a few really good bows than a bunch of inexpensive ones.

It's best to stick with latex-free materials and to avoid wire framed ribbons. 

The quality of what touches the hairs is important, but also cheap bows and ties will slip off or break apart. This can cause a choking hazard for dogs of all ages; though puppies especially will be prone to mouthing a tie if it falls off. 

2) Even high quality products wear down over time. For this reason, regularly inspect the items that you use to make topknots for fraying or other elements that mean it is time to dispose of it and replace it with a newer one. 

3) If you obtain bows that have decorations on them, test them to see if the rhinestones, gems or other shiny parts are secured in place and are not loose. If in doubt, choose another bow to make the topknot.

4) Take are in regard to bows that are connected to barrettes. While these are easy to use and can look very cute, if they fall out, this also can present a possible choking hazard.
Yorkshire Terrier hair bow
Gigi, 4 years old
Photo courtesy of Francie 
Care Tips

1) Anything that touches your Yorkie's hair, from grooming products like shampoo to leave-in spritzes and bows should all be high quality.  It's better to have a few really good bows than a bunch of inexpensive ones.

It's best to stick with latex-free materials and to avoid wire framed ribbons. 

The quality of what touches the hairs is important, but also cheap bows and ties will slip off or break apart. This can cause a choking hazard for dogs of all ages; though puppies especially will be prone to mouthing a tie if it falls off. 

2) Even high quality products wear down over time. For this reason, regularly inspect the items that you use to make topknots for fraying or other elements that mean it is time to dispose of it and replace it with a newer one. 

3) If you obtain bows that have decorations on them, test them to see if the rhinestones, gems or other shiny parts are secured in place and are not loose. If in doubt, choose another bow to make the topknot.

4) Take are in regard to bows that are connected to barrettes. While these are easy to use and can look very cute, if they fall out, this also can present a possible choking hazard.
Never underestimate the things that your dog may put in his/her mouth. Dogs of any age will mouth an object to find out what it is and if it could perhaps be something worth chewing on; so even if it is clearly not a toy, it will be inspected by a curious dog.