7 Best Brushes for Yorkies with 5 Helpful Grooming Tips
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These dogs were initially referred to as Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers and gained the name Yorkshire Terrier after nearly a decade of their breeding. It is said they were named after a show when it was noted how much they improved since first making their arrival in England.
Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, were bred to hunt all sorts of rodents, and any lover of this breed can tell you they are stubborn and bold. While Yorkies belong to the teacup family, they sometimes forget their size when barking at other animals or strangers. These dogs are exceptionally protective of their family.
What Is the Best Brush for a Yorkie?
A Yorkie can have a silky coat, a soft coat, or a wire coat. Silky-coat Yorkies a generally what you see in the show ring and this type of fur is actually referred to as hair by many is that it is long and silky and has minimal or no undercoat. This silky type is beautiful but can also be high maintenance. Yorkies with a soft coat or wire coat can be kept with a shorter and will frequently have more of an undercoat to keep them warmer.
Part of the importance of brushing your Yorkie is not only to keep them free of tangles and mats but also to keep an eye on their sensitive skin. In this breed, skin problems can start in one spot and spread rapidly, causing other complications and fur loss. Checking the epidermis of your Yorkie should be a routine part of caring for your pup. If you see unusual patches or areas of red or excessively dry skin, talk to your vet.
Brushing your Yorkie’s coat often helps to maintain skin health and the luster of their fur. Regular brushing can help remove dander and dirt and spreads the oils from their skin into their hair, naturally conditioning it.
Different Types of Popular Yorkie Brushes
Yorkies, especially show bred Yorkies, have long fur but it can also be exceptionally delicate. A Yorkie’s hair can break more quickly than many other dog breeds, and therefore need brushes that will detangle without yanking too hard on the individual fur strands.
Slicker Brushes
For most brushing situations with a Yorkie, a slicker brush (with fine metal bristles that have a little give) is ideal. Boar bristle brushes can also work well, and of course, deshedding combs are helpful during seasons when your dog sheds more of their coat.
Slicker brushes, overall, are the best standard brush to use on a Yorkies. They don’t tug on the skin and fur as much as some combs can, the tines are flexible, yet these brushes are still quite useful in detangling and keeping a coat shiny. Slicker brushes also come in small sizes that are ideal for teacup breeds.
Deshedding Combs
In most cases, unbending brushes are not recommended for Yorkie fur because of the issue with breakage. Deshedding combs can be an exception to this rule if they are used gently, and some metal wide tooth combs can be a good start for especially tight matted areas and tangles.
Deshedding tools are quite blunt across the tips to prevent injuring the skin of the Yorkies (or any other dog). They grip the fur in a way that helps remove excess loose hair better than many different combs and brushes, though.
Finer Bristle Brushes
Brushes with more delicate, softer bristles will help distribute the oils through your Yorkie’s coat and also go easier on the individual hair fibers, helping to prevent breakage.
Brushes with finer bristles also help eliminate some of the dander from a Yorkie’s coat and can stimulate their sensitive skin without scratching.
You should still use caution with any brush you use against your Yorkie’s epidermis and watch for scratches. Very gentle exfoliation can be beneficial for a Yorkies skin in moderation.
Best Brush for a Yorkshire Terrier
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 HaloVa Pet Professional Double Sided Pin & Bristle Bamboo Brush |
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Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
Our Hands-Down Favorite
The Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush is one of the best brushes for small yet useful for a Yorkie’s coat. This classic slicker brush is well-constructed and has a soft, anti-slip handle for better grip and comfort while brushing your Yorkie. The cushioned paddle of the brush is forgiving and offers more give to maintain a gentle brushing experience for your dog.
The small size of this slicker brush is not only the ideal size for a Yorkie but also can get to problematic undercoat spots more effectively. This is among the best daily brushes to have on hand for regular grooming, detangling, and everyday deshedding of your Yorkie.
6 More Top-Rated Yorkies Dog Brushes
Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush
The Hartz groomer’s best slicker brush for dogs and cats is a slicker brush with metal bristles that are capped with plastic tips. For those who like a slicker brush but are especially concerned about scratching or have a Yorkie with extra sensitive skin, these dull-end bristles can be a fantastic alternative to the traditional slicker brush.
The small size of this brush and the full handle make for comfortable brushing of your Yorkie. The angled head can help with getting into spots such as the creases of your dog’s tiny legs while keeping your grip firm on the ergonomic handle.
Andis Steel Pet Comb
The Andis Steel Pet Comb is not made for routine brushing, but ideal for working through particularly difficult tangles and mats on your Yorkies. You want to use caution not to pull their fur too hard when using this comb, as it does not have the bend in the tines that slicker or bamboo brushes have. However, the wider-set tines are excellent for the first round of detangling.
Working from the bottom up and holding your Yorkie’s fur near the base to prevent pulling, this comb features teeth that are both wide and thin enough (gradient sized) to get into the tangle and help separate the fur.
The stainless steel is more resilient than plastic and also makes for easy cleaning of the comb when needed. Using this comb before a bath is fantastic, as it removes matted spots but can be used on a dirty Yorkie, and then the comb can be cleaned with ease.
HaloVa Pet Professional Double Sided Pin & Bristle Bamboo Brush
The HaloVa Pet professional double-sided pin and bristle bamboo brush is a unique brush for two different uses. If you’re just not a fan of the traditional slicker brushes with metal bristles, this double-sided model has ball-tipped plastic bristles on one side and natural bamboo fibers on the other.
The wider, plastic bristles are excellent at initial detangling Yorkies and removing larger mats. These bristles can dive a little deeper into tangles than the tines on many slicker brushes can if you prefer that style.
When you flip the brush over, the bamboo bristles are ideal for a finishing brush, removing loose fur to help with shedding, and adding shine and luster to the coat. The natural fibers are firm enough to aid in getting rid of dander and loose hair, but soft enough to prevent over-scratching of your Yorkie’s delicate skin.
Safari Soft Slicker Brush
The Safari soft slicker brush (in size small) is ideal for small dogs and teacup canines such as Yorkies. The stainless steel bristles are flexible enough to bend while brushing, which prevents tugging too hard on your dog’s coat. It has an ergonomic anti-slip handle for added comfort and better grip when brushing your pooch.
The small size of this slicker brush is excellent for detangling and also working through the fur on tiny legs and undercoats on pups such as Yorkies. This slicker brush is brilliant at not only removing mats from coat but also adding shine to your Yorkie’s coat when used often.
DakPets Deshedding Comb
The deshedding brush is another vital part of grooming tools for Yorkies. Deshedding brushes are made of a long strip of blunt tines. They are not sharp at the end (preventing scrapes) but incisive on the sides to help carefully remove loose fur. The DakPets deshedding brush is incredibly helpful to have around during the seasons when dogs shed even more than usual, such as springtime.
The deshedding brush is meant to be used after you’ve detangled the rest of their coat. Once all mats are removed, you can go through with this highly-rated deshedding comb to get rid of much of the loose hair. Deshedding your Yorkies helps prevents fur from ending up on the floor. This is highly beneficial in keeping your house cleaner when it comes to dog fur.
Petpost Tear Stain Remover Comb for Dogs
Yorkies are one of the breeds that can have a particular problem with tear stains in the eye area. While the Petpost tear stain removing comb is not meant for the rest of their coat, this can be a crucial grooming tool in your brush and comb arsenal.
When used carefully, you can start near the center of the eye area and work this comb outward and down the dog’s nose. This is incredibly effective at helping to remove debris and clean out this trouble area on Yorkies. The comb has a blunt end to prevent scratching and is explicitly designed to reach this small area without causing your Yorkie pain.
5 Simple Tips to Properly Brush a Yorkie
Yorkies can get matted quickly, especially when their coat is kept long. It is best to brush out your Yorkie before bathing, as tangles can get even worse during and after a bath. To brush your Yorkie effectively, try the following.
- Using a slicker brush is generally the best for a Yorkie to gently remove tangles but keeping a flea comb or wide-tooth comb on hand is helpful for initially working on severe knots.
- Go cautiously at first to avoid yanking on tangles and start at the bottom, working your way up from lower fur to higher areas.
- The dog’s bottom will often have the most tangles from sitting on it, so using a larger comb to start will often help.
- If your dog keeps sitting down, gently putting a strap or harness under the lower torso, just above the rear legs to prevent them from sitting down.
- Use extra caution around the eye and ears, brushing gently and always away from the eyes to avoid poking.
Remember, pulling tangles on a dog feels like pulling them in your own hair. Be gentle with the Yorkie and never pull their leg out too far and never yank hard on matted areas. Lifting their legs too far in awkward positions can pull them out of the socket, so allow the Yorkie to remain in a somewhat natural placement, and if they begin to pull away, let them. You never want to yank on their fur or skin.
FAQ Regarding Yorkie Brushing/Grooming
Being part of the teacup classification of dog breeds, Yorkies present their own challenges and needs when it comes to grooming. Yorkies will have either long, silky coats, cotton coats, or wooly coats. Here are some tips on dealing with them.
- My Yorkie has nasty mats, how should I start to deal with them? It is best to first begin with your fingers if your Yorkie has especially challenging mats. Gently comb through them and work them out with your fingers before moving onto a wide tooth comb. You can use a dog detangling spray if you need extra help.
- My Yorkie has a thick, wooly coat, and it mats when it gets long. What do I do? Yorkies with cotton coats or wooly coats will have more undercoat than those with silky fur (which is more like hair). Most owners of cotton or wooly coat Yorkies can tell by the thickness of the strands, the color—either more beige or sometimes dark charcoal than the standard metallic Yorkie gray—and by the wiry texture. These owners often find it’s best to keep a shorter clip on their dogs, avoiding all the unnecessary tangles and hassle. Yorkies with cotton and wooly coats have more undercoat, too, which can make them hotter in warmer months. Another reason a shorter clip is advised.
- How often should I brush my Yorkie? Ideally, if you are brushing gently, brushing your Yorkie once every day or every other day is recommended. You don’t want to wait until your pooch has a bunch of tangles and mats. Brushing them at least a few times a week will not only help control shedding but will keep painful knots at bay.
- How often should I bathe my Yorkie? Yorkie’s fur grows best when kept somewhat clean. Bathing them every other week is sufficient to keep them clean while also allow natural oils to work through their hair. They can be washed every week if they spend a lot of time outside or get dirty more frequently during certain seasons. Always use a delicate shampoo for your Yorkie’s sensitive skin and fine-haired fur.
- Can I overbrush my Yorkie? Yes, it is possible to overbrush a Yorkie. Silky coat Yorkies have very delicate fur, much like hair, and it can break with overbrushing. Once a day or every other day is plenty. Overbrushing can also cause unnecessary skin scratching on their delicate skin. Keep an eye not only on their coat, but also on the condition of their skin, and with careful monitoring, your Yorkie should have a well-cared for, well-groomed, and healthy skin and coat.
