Curly Coats on a Yorkie

Q. Why does my Yorkie's hair curl from the middle of her back to her tail? How can I make it stay straight?

A. You are right – the Yorkshire Terrier’s fine coat is supposed to be straight. In show dogs, it is parted down the middle from head to the tail and hangs like a shimmering curtain to the floor.  In the grooming salon, however, most Yorkies today get a puppy cut or terrier trim because their owners do not have time to maintain a flowing coat.

Sometimes, clipping a coat makes it turn wavy or curly, and sometimes a Yorkie is just born with curly tresses. You can straighten out your dog’s hair by using crème rinse when you give her a bath and then blowing it dry, section by section, brushing and stretching the hair as you go. This may require a professional pet dryer, either a table model or a floor-standing one on wheels. Another alternative is to have a groomer give her a cute haircut that will suit her adorable terrier personality. Hair clipped short enough on the back will make sure those curls are no longer a problem.

Kathy Salzberg, NCMG, is a Certified Master Groomer and writer who has been grooming pets since 1976. With her daughter Missi, she owns The Village Groomer in Walpole, Mass. She has also written extensively on pet care for several consumer magazines and authored three books on dogs and careers with pets. Kathy lives with her pets on Cape Cod.

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