Everyone loves Yorkies for their silky-soft coat. While grooming your Yorkie starts at home with regular bathing and combing, haircuts by a professional groomer will keep your puppy neat, healthy, and looking like a million bucks.
There are so many adorable haircuts for Yorkies, it can be hard to choose. While show Yorkies may flaunt floor-length coats and topknots, by far the most popular cut for Yorkies at home is the teddy bear or puppy cut.
What is a Yorkie teddy bear cut?
A teddy bear cut, also known as a puppy cut, is a medium-length cut for Yorkies in which the groomer uses scissors to trim the entire coat to one length, usually between ½ an inch to 1 inch long. Sometimes, the groomer will also leave the hair around the Yorkie’s face and legs longer than the rest of the body, trimming them to give a rounded, teddy bear look.
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What is the difference between a puppy cut and a teddy bear cut?
A “puppy cut” and “teddy bear cut” are essentially the same thing. Both of these names (often used interchangeably) imply a simple, low-maintenance cut where all of the hair is cut to roughly the same length. This is generally done with scissors as opposed to a buzzer to keep a fluffy, textured coat.
Despite what you may have heard, there is no “proper” length of a puppy cut or teddy bear cut. Some groomers may trim to half an inch and others over an inch. The point of these cuts is to have a short coat length that looks cute and fluffy—like a teddy bear or like a puppy.
With some groomers, however, there is a slight distinction between the two. On a teddy bear cut, they may leave the hair on the legs and around the face a bit longer and trim them to look round—like a teddy bear.
When should a Yorkie puppy get its first haircut?
Most Yorkies have their first haircut before six months. Many owners go at the four-month mark, others at five, it depends on the length of your Yorkie’s coat, the weather, and importantly, your dog’s vaccinations.
That’s right, you should never bring your puppy to get a haircut before it has had all of its shots. Going to a busy pet groomer is sure to expose your Yorkie to many other pets. Without proper vaccinations, you risk getting your dog sick.
Common Yorkie Haircut Styles
There are many adorable cuts for Yorkies. But, before choosing a style for your pooch be sure to consider a few things…
First of all, certain cuts work better in certain climates or seasons. Yorkies are a toy breed and as such are incredibly sensitive to temperature. The best solution—go with a long cut in the winter and a short one in the summer.
Next, consider your willingness and tolerance for grooming your Yorkie. Some styles require extensive home care, others practically none. Some cuts are expensive, and others are super cheap. You need to decide whether you want a cut that’s simple and easy to maintain or one that’s a real show-stopper and be ready to commit to it.
Here are a few of our favorite Yorkie cuts:
Schnauzer Trim
The Schnauzer trim leaves a bit of length on your Yorkie’s mustache and ears. The back is trimmed short, and the bottom third of the body is left longer to create a skirt on the sides and a tuft of hair on the chest. This is a more serious and dignified look for your Yorkie.
Teddy Bear Cut
For maximum cuteness and cuddliness, go for a teddy bear cut. As described above, the groomer cuts the entire coat to the same length by hand with scissors, with a bit of extra length around the face to give your Yorkie a rounded, adorable look. This is possibly the cutest and most popular cut for Yorkies.
Show Cut
Here we have the most regal and elegant of all Yorkie cuts, but also the most difficult to maintain. A show cut sports long, silky hair nearly down to the floor and a topknot on the head. Just know that if you choose this cut, you will spend many extra hours combing, washing, and growing your pup. Not for the faint of heart!
Summer Cut
During the summer, or if you live in a very hot climate, the best thing for your Yorkie is a nice short haircut. A “summer cut” is a loose term for any cut that helps to keep your dog cool during the hot months. And because Yorkies are so susceptible to temperature changes, a good summer cut is sure to prevent a lot of discomforts.
A great summer cut is the teddy bear or puppy cut. But, if that’s not short enough, you can go for a kennel cut. With a kennel cut, all of your Yorkie’s hair is trimmed short, usually to half an inch or less. However, you can still leave a bit of length on the face to give your pup some personality.
Tips for working with a groomer
If you want your Yorkie to get great haircuts and excellent treatment, getting the right groomer is the first step.
Many people like the idea of grooming their pets at home, but the services and expertise of a groomer are indispensable. Not only will they do a better job than virtually all amateurs, but they can offer many other services that your dog needs including nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth cleaning.
Not only will your Yorkie have the luxury and safety of a trained professional, but you will save loads of time!
A great starting point is to ask friends and family where they bring their dogs. If this isn’t an option, go online and find highly rated groomers and businesses with plenty of positive customer reviews.
Once you find a highly rated groomer, make an appointment, and be sure to show up with plenty of questions. Give your questions, comments, and concerns to your groomer—they expect it. A couple of questions from a concerned dog-parent shouldn’t bother them.
In fact, if a groomer seems reluctant or annoyed by your questions, that’s a big red flag. You need to build a relationship with your groomer built on communication, after all, you will be leaving your beloved pooch in their hands.
To make sure you are getting the best care for your Yorkie, here’s a list of questions to ask on your first visit to a prospective groomer:
- Do you have experience with my dog’s breed?
- Besides grooming, what other services do you provide?
- How much will this cost?
- Can I stay and watch while you groom my Yorkie?
- What kind of training do you have?
- How will my dog be housed?
- Are you a part of the AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming Program?
- Do you have liability insurance?
By doing a bit of digging you will be able to see if the groomer is someone that you can trust. A great groomer doesn’t just make your dog comfortable, but they make you comfortable.
Final Thoughts
When it comes time to give your Yorkshire Terrier a haircut, there are many great options.
One of the most popular of all Yorkie cuts is the teddy bear cut, also known as the puppy cut. This makes your Yorkie look youthful, soft, fluffy, and all-around adorable.
If you want something a bit more flashy, you can go with a Schnauzer cut or a show cut but be prepared to put in more time and effort keeping your pup’s hair clean and tangle-free.
And for those hot, summer months, consider going with a shorter, hassle-free cut like a teddy bear or a kennel cut.
Lastly, always do some research before committing to a new groomer. Find someone that makes you and your Yorkie feel comfortable.
