Do Yorkies Shed? The Truth About Yorkie Hair

Do Yorkies shed? Many people believe this not to be the case, but the truth is, all dogs shed. Some dogs may shed more than others, but all dogs will lose hair.

So, if you’re a Yorkie owner, don’t be surprised when your dog starts to lose some of its hair. But don’t worry – it’s not necessarily something to worry about!

While some breeds are heavy shedders all year round, Yorkies typically lose a little hair for a couple of months in the spring and fall.

How much do Yorkies shed and what are common reasons Yorkies shed too much?

Read on to find out, plus our 10 top tips for taking care of your Yorkie’s coat.

Do Yorkies Shed?

In short, yes, but not as much as some other breeds.

Consider the coat to understand the question. The majority of dogs’ fur is made up of a mix of short, thick, and coarse strands. The fur is produced in short bursts throughout the year. 

In certain seasons, the dog’s old fur will be quickly shed. This can lead to a period of intense shedding in some cases.

However, the coat of the Yorkshire terrier is unique. The Yorkshire terrier’s hair is fine and silky and has a longer length than normal dog fur. Yorkies have a similar growth rate to human hair, so their hair doesn’t shed as often as other dogs.

The hairs that shed often fall back into the pup’s coat making it harder to see. When you bathe, brush or comb your Yorkie, you are more likely to notice signs of shedding.

So, while Yorkies shed (just like any other dog), the grooming process is more likely to show signs of excessive shedding.

How Much Yorkies Shed?

The Yorkshire terrier sheds its hair twice a year, in the spring and fall. During these periods of shedding, a Yorkshire terrier’s coat becomes thinner than usual due to the loss of old hairs.

styling and combing yorkie hair

These coats tend to last for around three weeks, before thickening up again after this time.

However, a Yorkshire terrier’s hair grows at a similar rate to human hair, so it doesn’t shed as much as you think. While shedding is uncommon when compared to other breeds, when Yorkies do shed, they tend to lose their top layer of fur which can look like a lot of hair.

Shedding this top layer of fur is often mistaken for excessive shedding and can cause concern.

How Often Do Yorkies Shed?

Yorkies may also go through periods where they don’t shed at all, which typically occurs during the summer months. Generally, though, a Yorkshire Terrier will shed once or twice a year in the spring and fall.

It is important that you don’t mistake your Yorkie’s natural shedding cycle for excessive shedding. If your Yorkie is continually losing large amounts of hair, through brushing or otherwise, this could be an indication of another problem.

In rare instances, Yorkshire Terriers may start to lose their hair throughout the year, but this can be down to external factors such as allergies and dietary deficiencies.

Yorkshire Terrier Coats: What You Need To Know?

Before we move on, let’s first understand the Yorkshire Terrier’s coat. His coat is not what you would call a normal dog coat.

Dogs have double coats which help them stay warm in winter and cool during the summer. The underlayer sheds throughout the year, but most heavily during the shedding seasons. It must shed to make room for the new season’s coat!

The Yorkie is different. Yorkies don’t have an undercoat. Instead, they have a single layer of hair. It is silky and fine, just like human hair. Although his hair may fall out, it doesn’t shed. The Yorkie’s hair falls out very lightly throughout the year.

Yorkie Coat Colors

Yorkshire Terriers can choose from four coat colors.

These coat colors are:

  • Black and tan (the most common color for Yorkshire Terriers)
  • Black and gold
  • Blue and tan
  • Blue and gold

Although these may look like four different breeds of terrier, they are just color varieties of the Yorkshire terrier.

The coat colors can change or be influenced by several factors including:

  • Diet
  • Hormones
  • Immune system health
  • Stress levels

Yorkshire may have a variety of coats, including silky coats, wavy and woolly coats. Let’s take a look at the various kinds of coats they have.

Puppy Coat

The puppy coat is thick, soft, and dark hue. The puppy coat’s gentle nature helps your new fur baby keep warm throughout the winter months and is considerably darker than the adult coat. 

It has tan and black highlights that make it stand out.

As your Yorkie puppy matures, however, the dark color of its coat will turn to a more golden or bluish-gray hue.

Silky Yorkie Coat

The hair in a Silky coat is fine, long, smooth, straight, and glossy. Yorkies with silky coats are frequently seen at dog shows and competitions because their adult coats are very attractive.

Wavy Yorkie Coat

The second variety of adult coat, also known as the wavy or woolly coat, is wavy, dense, and resembles a fleece. Unlike the silky coat, it has a fuzzy appearance and does not grow long. 

The wavy coat tends to have more of a gold or reddish-brown color.

Common Reasons Why Yorkies Shed Too Much

Although the Yorkshire Terrier’s coat doesn’t shed too much, there are some cases in which they may lose more hair than usual.

Illness

If your dog is sick, he will go through a variety of symptoms. The most common symptom of all is hair loss. Cushing’s disease, a hormone disorder, is a common reason behind hair loss in dogs.

If your Yorkie experiences sudden hair loss, it could be a result of stress or even a lack of nutrients. The best thing to do in this case if you are concerned about the health of your little pet is to take him to the veterinarian for an examination.

Lack Of Nutrition

If your Yorkie is not getting the nutrients he needs, his body will do anything it can to stay alive. The first symptom of malnutrition in Yorkshire Terriers is hair loss – usually in small patches at a time. 

This can be followed by muscle weakness and weight loss.

Grooming (Not Enough)

It is important for you to groom your Yorkie regularly. Grooming helps remove dead hair and distribute natural oils throughout his coat. It also stimulates the oil glands, which are located at the base of each hair under your pet’s skin.

groomer brushing yorkie hair

If you do not properly brush your dog’s fur, these oil glands will stop working overtime.

Pregnancy

The most common symptom of pregnancy in dogs is hair loss. The female hormones that are produced during pregnancy can cause your dog to not only lose fur but also gain weight, feel tired, and become sensitive to the heat.

Seasonal Allergies

Dogs can experience seasonal allergies just like humans do. Depending on the time of year, your pet may shed more hair than usual. 

The best way to deal with this is by taking him to the veterinarian for allergy testing if you believe it is related to his environment.

Parasites

It is possible for your Yorkie to have some type of mite or parasite on his body and not show any symptoms. If you notice hair loss in an isolated area, this could be a sign that there is a parasite that needs to be removed immediately.

Stress

If you are changing your Yorkie’s living environment or he is experiencing changes in his routine, it may cause him to feel stressed.

Cortisone is the hormone that regulates stress. When a dog goes through stress, the cortisone level rises tremendously throughout its body including its hair follicles. This can cause them to lose their fur.

How to Deal With Yorkies Shedding?

Regular grooming is a good way to reduce the amount of shedding and loose hairs in your Yorkie. Regular brushing with the right tools and at least once a week will help keep flyaway hairs under control.

It also has the added benefit of keeping your Yorkie’s hair beautiful.

Yorkie hair care and grooming are especially important for those with a Yorkie that has a long coat. If you fail to brush your dog’s hair at least once a week, it will become matted and tangled. 

Wire-haired breeds tend to have lots of dander, which can cause skin irritation for people who are allergic to dogs.

When to Consult Your Vet About Shedding?

If you notice any of these symptoms in your Yorkie, take him to the veterinarian for a checkup:

  • When there is hair loss over your dog’s body
  • When he stops eating and loses weight
  • When you see lumps or bumps on his skin
  • When he has bald patches and scabs on his skin

You will also want to take him to the vet if you notice that he is scratching a lot or licking himself because it could be a sign of infection.

Tips For Taking Care Of Yorkie’s Coat

There are a number of things you can do to keep your Yorkie looking good and feeling good. Here are our 10 top tips

1) Brushing

Regular brushing is the key to keeping your Yorkie’s coat looking nice and tangle-free.

2) Diet

A nutritious diet rich in vitamins will help keep your dog’s hair shiny and reduce shedding.

3) Grooming Tools

Using the correct grooming tools for your Yorkie’s coat type will make all the difference to how easily the grooming goes and how good your pet looks.

4) Bathing

As well as brushing, you should regularly shampoo and condition your Yorkie’s coat. Failing to do so can result in dry skin which could lead to excessive shedding.

yorkie sitting on a chair after bath

5) Shedding Solutions

There are a number of things you can add to your dog’s diet and/or use on its coat to help reduce shedding. For example, biotin supplements and Omega-3 fatty acids both help reduce shedding.

6) Trimming

Regularly trimming your Yorkie’s coat will help to keep it in good condition and looking good.

7) Stress

If your dog is stressed, grooming can become a nightmare which can lead to you neglecting it and then the shedding problem can get worse.

8) Regular Checkups

Make sure you take your dog to the vet for regular checkups so that you can catch any skin problems early.

9) Overall Health

A healthy dog is less likely to suffer from shedding problems than one that isn’t well looked after.

10) Mites/Ticks & Seasonal Shedding

One of the problems with Yorkies is that they are often very susceptible to mites, ticks, or fungal infections. This can lead to excessive shedding which could become a cycle if it’s not managed properly.

People Also Ask

How Bad Does A Yorkie Shed?

Yorkies don’t shed as much as most dogs, but they still do shed. Yorkshire Terriers are considered light shedders, but there will still be some hair around the house. If you groom your Yorkshire Terrier often and maintain his coat, he won’t shed as much.

Do Yorkies Like To Cuddle?

Yes, most Yorkie puppies love cuddling. They are very affectionate and loving dogs. Yorkies are very intelligent and loving toward their owners and enjoy and seek out affection and physical contact with their owners.

Is A Yorkie A Good Family Dog?

Yorkies are excellent family dogs. They are great with children and other pets, but they do need early socialization to be around people and animals other than their own. They are easy to train and adapt to new surroundings and family life quickly.

Do Yorkies Shed And Are They Hypoallergenic?

Yorkies do shed and yes they are hypoallergenic. Yorkies are considered hypoallergenic because they release less dander than many other dog breeds. Dander is the substance that causes allergies in people who are allergic to dogs.

Conclusion

We hope that this article answered all of your questions about whether or not the Yorkie sheds. Remember, if your dog is showing signs of hair loss or skin problems, take him to the vet for a checkup.

If he shows no signs of any issues but is shedding a little, don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal.

Just brush him regularly to keep his hair from matting and use a good dog shampoo and conditioner so that he always looks great.

What do you do when your Yorkie sheds? Share your experience in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading!

Photo of author

Lovelia Horn

I’m a certified crazy dog mom, a physical therapist (for hoomans), writer, animal rescuer, and foster home provider. Together with my hubby Ryan, I’ve fostered and helped look for forever homes for over a hundred shelter dogs in the Southern Illinois area. I mostly work with Puppy Rescue 911, Inc., a certified animal rescue organization based out of Chester, IL (home of Popeye!)

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