Grooming

Yorkie Shedding: How Much Do Yorkies Shed?

Adopting a Yorkie? You likely might be drawn to them for their limited shedding reputation. But how much do Yorkies actually shed? Read on to find out all about Yorkies shedding.

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Last Updated: March 12, 2024 | 7 min read

Short Haired Yorkie Ooutdoors

The Yorkshire Terrier’s signature trademark is his long, flowing, silky hair. So, how much do Yorkies shed with all that silky hair? You might be surprised to learn that although they do shed, Yorkies don’t shed anywhere near other notorious shedders like Corgis. They are known for very minimal shedding, but they still need careful care for their coats.

It’s all about the fact that Yorkies have a single coat and hair that is more like ours than that of other dogs. Maybe you’re here because you’re about to welcome a Yorkie into your life and need the lowdown on Yorkie shedding. Or perhaps you want to educate yourself on hypoallergenic dogs. Either way, you’ve come to the right place.

So, do Yorkies shed a lot? Let’s find out. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Yorkshire Terrier’s shedding habits.

Yorkshire Terrier Coats

Yorkie Needing Hair Cut
Yorkies can have a shorter haircut or opt for a longer cut.

Before I continue, you need to understand the Yorkshire Terrier’s coat. His coat isn’t what you’d call a regular dog coat. Most dogs have double coats that work to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The underlayer sheds all year round but heavily during the shedding season. During this heavy shed, they make room for the new season’s jacket.

But not the Yorkie. He likes to do things differently. The Yorkie does not have an undercoat like other dogs. Instead, he has a single layer of hair. It is fine and silky, much like human hair. Yes, his hair falls out, but it doesn’t really shed. If you think about your own hair, it falls out lightly across the year, and it is the same with the Yorkie. 

Yorkie Shedding Frequency

Long haired Yorkshire Terrier Running
Yorkie shedding will become more visible when they have longer coats.

Yorkshire Terriers are very light shedders all year round if you can call it shedding. And when hair does fall out, there’s a high chance that you won’t notice much on the floor. When hair falls out, it falls back into his coat, so you’ll only see it when you’re brushing or bathing him.

Because he doesn’t have a double coat, the Yorkie doesn’t ‘blow his coat’ during shedding season as other dogs do. His hair doesn’t grow in quick bursts to make way for new seasons, either, so you don’t have to worry about seasonal shedding. This is one of the many reasons why the Yorkie is so popular. 

Because he doesn’t seasonally shed, his hair keeps growing, which is why it is long and silky. It’ll keep growing until it reaches its length capacity, and then it will stop. Once it stops growing, his body will push it out and replace it with a new one. This is a continuous cycle throughout the year, much like our hair.

Hypoallergenic Dogs

The Yorkie is considered hypoallergenic, like the Goldendoodle. It’s important to understand that no dog is entirely hypoallergenic. This is a myth. However, some dogs are better for those with allergies than others.

Therefore, hypoallergenic dogs are less likely to cause allergic reactions in sufferers compared to other non-hypoallergenic dog breeds. However, this does not mean that they are allergy-proof. Yorkies are not allergy-proof or non-shedding despite any claim to the contrary.

Another myth about dog allergies is that people who are allergic are sensitive to the hair. This is a misconception. Allergies are triggered by a protein that is found in saliva, dander, and urine.

Dander is one of the leading causes of pet allergies. It contains allergy-inducing proteins and attaches to dog hair. Essentially, dander is the collection of microscopic dead skin cells and oils. Dog hair also holds onto saliva and urine. The allergen is spread to humans through shedding and contact with the hair.

The Yorkie doesn’t really have much dander, so he is better for those with pet allergies.

Managing Your Dog Allergies

There are ways for allergy sufferers to control and manage their symptoms. Consider the following:

  1. Keeping your home clean and free of hair and dander is important.
  2. Regular vacuuming is an important part.
  3. Medications can also help.
  4. You may want to set aside a room or areas in the home that are kept dog-free.
  5. Regular grooming and bathing of your pup will help remove loose hair and dander and prevent it from spreading around your home.
  6. Regularly wash bedding, both yours and your pup’s.
  7. Use a HEPA air filter to keep the air in your home free of allergens.

Other Reasons For Yorkie Hair Loss

Anxious Yorkie
Yorkshire Terriers can become anxious for various reasons, causing them to shed more.

If you notice that your Yorkie is losing more hair than he should, there could be an underlying reason or medical concern.

Stress is a significant factor that can increase hair loss. Either something is stressing him out, such as a new pet in the home or separation anxiety, or he could be picking up on your stress. Hair loss, for this reason, usually levels out once the pressure is gone.

Increased hair loss is also a sign of pregnancy. After birth, her hormones will return to normal, and so will her hair cycle.

Hair loss could also be a sign of a skin infection. If this is the case, you’ll notice red or inflamed skin, sores, or patches of exposed skin. Skin infections are common in dogs, especially puppies. They can be fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral. Common skin infections include impetigo, scabies, ringworm, and even allergy-related ones. Your pup will need treatment from your vet to clear up an infection. This may include oral or topical medications.

Some conditions that cause excessive hair loss, such as skin infections in some cases or some diseases, may be covered by pet insurance. Learn more about the best pet insurance options for Yorkies and the different coverage options.

5 Ways To Manage Your Yorkie’s Shedding

Yorkie Getting Groomed
There are steps you can take to mitigate shedding by your Yorkie.

Although he doesn’t shed, he still needs additional grooming. Single-coated dogs may not need the same amount of grooming as a Labrador, but they still need to be cared for. This is especially true if you opt for a longer haircut that allows them to have their distinctive long, flowy tresses. Let’s talk about ways to manage your Yorkie’s shedding.

1. Brushing

This is the most crucial part of his grooming schedule. This is entirely dependent on whether you opt for the long traditional coat or the shorter teddy bear cut.

If you opt for a long coat, you’ll need to brush every day. The hair that his body has pushed out will most likely be caught up in his coat, and you need to brush it out. Otherwise, it’ll become tangled, which eventually leads to painful matting.

If you opt for the shorter coat, you’ll only need to brush him a few times every week. His hair will still fall out at the same rate as a longer cut, but the risk of tangling is minimized. And so he won’t need as much attention. You will need to keep your Yorkie’s hair shorter by using a set of dog grooming clippers to keep it close.

2. Brushes

Because he has hair rather than fur, he’ll only need a single brush rather than deshedding tools. The best brush for the Yorkie’s coat is a bubble-tipped pin brush. This will penetrate his coat and sweep away the dead hair.

It’s essential that you buy a bubble-tipped brush because these are softer on his delicate skin. Remember that he doesn’t have an underlayer, and without these protective bubbles, you risk scratching his skin.

3. Shampoo

Finding the right shampoo for your Yorkie is important, and you should bathe him once every two to four weeks. Again, considering that his skin is more exposed than regular dog coats and he needs bathing more frequently than other dogs, you should get a delicate shampoo. Choose one that is made from natural ingredients, such as oatmeal shampoos.

Some shampoos also contain conditioning ingredients. These are great for the Yorkie because they leave his hair feeling extra soft. They also go a bit further to prevent matting, which is particularly useful if he has a longer coat. 

4. Diet

Your Yorkie’s diet also affects his skin and coat health. Always look to feed your Yorkie a high-quality kibble that provides omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids will nourish his coat from the inside out by keeping his skin supple and his locks strong and shiny. Examples of omega fats to look out for are fish, fish oil, egg products, flaxseed, and canola oil.

5. Supplements

Fish oil supplements are also another way to make sure he gets the omega fats that he needs, and they come in pill or liquid form. They have a variety of other health benefits, too, such as joint support, better nutrient absorption, and brain and cardiac health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because Yorkies have such a low-shedding reputation, I often get some common questions about their coats. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Yorkie shedding. If I missed yours, let me know in the comments.

Why Is My Yorkie Shedding So Much?

If you see excessive hair around your home, make sure there have been no recent changes in diet, stress levels, or daily lifestyle routines. If you’ve welcomed a new pet into your home, this could also contribute to their stress. Yorkies are also known for being anxious when away from their owners. So, if someone in your house has gone back to work or isn’t around when they normally would have been, this can cause a stress reaction in your pup.

When Is It Time To See The Vet?

If you suspect your Yorkie is losing more hair than he should be, it’s time for a trip to the vet. It is more than likely that everything is fine, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you notice sore skin or if he is losing hair in patches, you definitely need to schedule an appointment, as this shouldn’t be happening.

I’ve Found A Tangle In My Yorkie’s Coat. What Can I Do?

Tangling is a common issue with the Yorkie’s coat, even with regular grooming. At first, try teasing it out with your fingers rather than a brush. You can also mist the tangles with leave-in conditioner, which will help work them out. If you still can’t, simply snip it out. Leaving it in will only make it worse, and his hair will grow back quickly in any case.

Learn More About Yorkies

Yorkies shed, albeit very lightly. There’s no way around that. But if you are looking for a low-shedding dog breed, the Yorkshire Terrier is likely a great canine companion for your home. They not only shed less than other breeds but are also smaller and have less volume per square inch of hair compared to other smaller breeds like Pugs. Like other tiny breeds, you must be careful not to overwork your Yorkie’s little frame. You must also start training early to ensure these little pups don’t get away with bad behavior.

Why Trust Love Your Dog?

Emma has over 20 years of experience with dogs and is the proud owner of a little pup called Chips. She has also worked as a professional dog walker and sitter for many years, taking care of countless dog breeds with different needs. Emma dedicates countless hours researching the latest pet care, health, food, and training developments to keep her two best buddies and other doggy clients as happy and healthy as possible. She works alongside a professional and experienced team to bring the best, most accurate, and up-to-date information to our readers.

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2 Comments

  1. Judith MacIntyre

    Great article, I have a beautiful little Yorkie female, she is 12 now and you are bang on with everything you said. They are a beautiful breed, great companion, very loving, good to travel, and the best pet you could ever own!

    They are great with children, however, I don’t recommend having small kids around them as they tend to drop them, also because of their size, kids wand to play with them and usually hurt them, we had one sit on our girl and put her knee out! I couldn’t have any other breed now, but I would get another in a heartbeat. They love their bath, grooming and looking pretty! Real babies!

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