Do Yorkies Have Hair or Fur? This is one question that kept troubling me for a long time when I was thinking of adopting a Yorkie. I had read so many different things here and there and it confused me.
Then one day I finally decided to sit and find the answer to “Do Yorkies Have Hair or Fur”. And I found so many new things about Yorkies and their maintenance that I didn’t know before.
Are you confused about the same thing? Worry not, I bring to you all information about whether they have hair or fur and more about the Yorkshire terrier’s glossy coat in this article. Keep reading!
Do Yorkies Have Hair or Fur?
Yorkshire terriers are among the breeds that have hair instead of fur just like poodles or silky terriers. They are easily distinguishable from dogs with fur like german shepherds, labradors, etc.
Yorkies are single-coated dogs and shed less than dogs with double coats of fur. Since their hair is longer and they shed less, maintenance is needed and it becomes a salient part of Yorkie grooming.
First, let us look at the differences between Yorkie hair and fur.
What Is the Difference Between Yorkie Fur and Yorkie Hair?
Below are the major points of difference between a Yorkie Fur and Yorkie Hair:
1. Length
The main difference between Yorkie hair and fur is that hair can grow much longer than fur because fur can only grow to a certain length and then it sheds.
2. Density
And, dogs with fur are generally double-coated and thus have denser hair whereas a dog breed like Yorkshire terrier has a single coat of hair that is less dense.
3. Occurrence of Dandruff
Hair is much softer than fur so Yorkies don’t have rough or sturdy coats. And dogs with hair suffer less from dandruff. Moreover, hair has a slower renewal cycle than fur which is why breeds like Yorkie shed less and are considered hypoallergenic.
Do Yorkies Have Human Hair?
Yorkies have a very similar texture to human hair. They don’t have an undercoat unlike many other dogs and their hair is soft and long like human hair. They also shed less just like human hair.
Also, if not brushed properly, it can get matted or tangled just like your own hair. You need to maintain your pooch’s hair with as much care as you do yours. It can be a little time-consuming! If your Yorkie is not having enough hair growth, check out the possible reasons here.
What Are the Different Types of Yorkie Coats?
Yorkshire terriers have three different types of coats. Let us discuss in detail what they are.
1. Puppy Coat
Your new Yorkie puppy’s coat is called a puppy coat which protects him from the harsh cold and this outer coat keeps him warm during the winters.
It is darker in color and has tan and black highlights which make it look unique. The puppy coat is also thicker and softer.
2. Silky Coat
In around a year, Yorkies develop their adult coat. There are usually two types of adult coats. The first one is the silky coat.
Yorkies with silky coats have long, smooth and straight hair which has a glossy appearance. This is the most desired coat and these Yorkies are often used for shows and competitions.
For grooming a silky coat, take strips of your Yorkie’s hair and then brush it. It ensures that all strips of your Yorkie’s hair are cleaned and untangled. Start from the hair of the lower body and then go above.
Make sure your Yorkie is lying on its sides when you are brushing his hair. This will result in a clean and fluffy silky Yorkie coat.
3. Cotton Coat
The cotton coat is also known as the woolly or wire coat. It is wavy in appearance and forms a dense coat over the Yorkie.
The cotton or wire coat is also made up of hair but it does not grow very long and sheds more than the silky coat.
The cotton or wavy coat gets dirtier and messier because of its density and thickness. For grooming a cotton coat, use a good quality pinned brush to brush the coat and remove all unwanted dirt.
Gently demat his hair by the brush or if you are not able to do that, use your fingers and work through it.
Top 5 Tips for Grooming Yorkies Hair
Grooming a Yorkie’s hair is one of the most important parts of overall Yorkie grooming. You need to take utmost care of the smooth and silky Yorkie hair. Let us see a few ways in which you can take good care of your Yorkie’s coat.
1. Regular Bathing
You should not bathe your Yorkie too often or too sparingly. Frequent bathing can lead to dryness and wash off all necessary oils from the Yorkie’s skin. And bathing too less can lead to the accumulation of too much oil and dirt leading to an unpleasant smell.
Bathing your Yorkie once or twice in two weeks should be the perfect routine for most Yorkies, however, if your Yorkie has a skin or coat problem, you might need to have a different bathing schedule.
2. Use Premium Quality Bathing Products
The products that you use on your Yorkie can make or break things. Make sure you are only using a good quality shampoo as well as a conditioner that keeps the Yorkie coat moisturized.
Don’t use products that have the same ingredients as human products because they can be dangerous for your Yorkie. Check out this great Everyday Isle Shampoo that is specially designed for silky coats.
You can take a look at the best shampoos available for your Yorkie here.
3. Use A Leave-In Spray To Protect The Coat
You can apply a leave-in conditioner spray on your Yorkie’s coat to keep it protected. A good leave-in spray will protect your Yorkie’s hair from getting dry or tangled.
It will also make him repel dirt, debris, or any other irritants as well as protect him from UV-rays. It will lock in the moisturizer and give a nice fragrance to your Yorkie.
I found this great leave-in-spray online that you can use for your Yorkie.
4. Brush Your Yorkie’s Coat Regularly
Brushing your Yorkie’s coat three to four times a week is advised so that you can prevent his hair from getting tangled and messy. Also, remember to use the right brushes!
You should use a slicker brush if your Yorkie, puppy or adult, has a shorter coat. Use a well-polished pin brush if he has medium-length or long hair. Brushing will remove dirt and debris from your Yorkie’s hair and give it a shiny and glossy texture.
Check out this wonderful slicker brush on amazon for your short-haired Yorkie.
5. Give Your Yorkie A Haircut
There are many types of Yorkie haircuts and you must decide to give your Yorkie the one that suits him best. There are many cuts like puppy cut, westie cut, kennel cut, etc.
Make sure the cut is done well and he has even length according to the cut. Don’t injure him while giving him the cut as it can be very dangerous. This is a great clipper set that you can use to give your Yorkie a haircut at home.
It is generally advised to keep the coat small in summers so that it is easier for your Yorkie to bear.
Check out our extensive guide on grooming your Yorkie’s face here.
Do Yorkies Shed Hair?
Yorkies do shed hair but their shedding is far lesser than other dog breeds with fur. They don’t follow the usual shedding cycle.
This is because Yorkie hair grows at almost a similar pace as human hair and they grow longer and longer. Their hair does fall out but it is so fine that you can hardly notice it.
However, when you are grooming your Yorkie’s hair like brushing it or giving him a bath, then you will notice his fallen hair and it is quite common so you do not need to worry.
The fact that Yorkies shed lesser hair and they have fur instead of hair makes them hypoallergenic. This is a good thing for people with allergies who want to get dogs. This does not mean that Yorkies will never cause allergies, you still need to fairly careful about it.
Do you think your dog is shedding too much hair? Read more here to know about it.
What Is the Growth Cycle Of Yorkies Hair?
The Yorkshire terrier breed has a longer growth cycle than other breeds. There are four stages in a Yorkie’s hair growth cycle.
Stage 1: Anagen
This is the first phase of Yorkie coat growth in which the follicles become active. This phase is generally extended.
Stage 2: Catagen
After the long first phase, the second phase called catagen starts which is a transitory phase and there will only be some hair growth in this phase.
Stage 3: Telogen
Telogen is an inert phase in which no growth happens. In this phase neither does any new hair appear nor does any old hair shed.
Stage 4: Exogen
The last phase is the exogen phase in which a Yorkie finally sheds his hair.
What Are the Changes in the Yorkie’s Hair From Puppy to Adult?
As a Yorkie puppy transitions into an adult, many changes occur in the Yorkie coat.
1. Coat Colour
When Yorkies are born, they have a thick and smooth coat that is black in color with a few tan colored hairs. In their first year, the color of the black coat changes from black to blue.
This change in color is caused due to progressive greying genes and a dilute gene. Few changes are seen in the tan hairs as well as they become golden.
However, Yorkies have black pigmentation so the skin of their eye rims, lips, nose, and paw pads remains black only.
2. Coat Length
A Yorkie puppy cannot grow his hair too much in the first year. It is only after the adult hair comes in, that floor-length hair can be grown.
FAQs On Do Yorkies Have Hair Or Fur
1. How to Maintain Yorkies Hair?
You can keep your Yorkie’s hair length medium or small so that it is easy for you to maintain. Give him regular baths and keep brushing his hair to avoid tangles.
Use the right brushes and bathing equipment so as to not cause any harm to your pooch.
2. How Long Will It Take For My Yorkies Hair to Grow?
Usually, an adult Yorkie, with 7-inches long hair, will take 8-12 months to grow floor-length hair.
3. How to Groom Double Coated Yorkies Hair?
Yorkies only have a single coat and their grooming is very important. Keep brushing and bathing your Yorkie regularly to maintain a good coat.
Conclusion
So now you know the answer to the question – Do Yorkies Have Hair or Fur? Yorkies have hair coats and that makes them more desirable. But keep in mind that you need to maintain and groom your Yorkie’s hair really well!
Use the right equipments and premium quality products that suit your Yorkie’s hair best. Don’t be harsh while brushing or bathing.
In case your Yorkie is having hair loss problems, consult your vet immediately!
