How Much Does a Yorkshire Terrier Shed?

The characteristic trait of a Yorkshire terrier is its long and flowing silky hair. So, the question is- how much such lovely hair do they shed? You may think that they shed quite a lot.

However, you could be surprised to learn that even though they shed, it is nowhere near the corgis, a breed notorious for their shedding.

The main reason for this is they have only one coat. Even that hair is similar more to humans than to dogs. However, it is better to know more about these things before you make a Yorkshire terrier a part of your life.

Yorkshire Terrier Hair and Coat

As you would know, they have a single coat that is not a regular dog coat. Most dogs have double coats that keep them warm during winter and cool during the summer. The under-layer keeps shedding throughout the year, but it does so heavily during the shedding season.

It is time when they make way for the jacket they would wear during the new year. But things work a bit differently in the case of Yorkies.

They do not have an undercoat.

Rather, they have just one layer of hair. A lot like human beings- It is silky and fine. The shedding frequency is also the same. The thing is, the hair falls out and does not shed. Just think of your hair. It keeps falling out all across the year. It is the same with these dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier Coat Colors

These dogs come in four options when it comes to coat colors. These are black and gold, blue and gold, black and tan, and blue and tan.

The good thing is that the color does not affect the shedding – they all shed as much as the next. It means that irrespective of the coat color of your Yorkie, you must follow the same grooming schedule.

The frequency at which Yorkshire terriers shed

Yorkshire terriers shed through the year, but they are light shedders. Even when they shed, you would not notice a lot of hair on the floor. When such hair falls out, it falls back into their coats. So, you would see this only when you are bathing or brushing them.

Since they do not have a double coat, they do not blow it during the shedding season as other breeds do. Also, their hair never grows in fast spurts so that new seasons can be accommodated.

You would not have to bother about any seasonal shedding. It is one significant reason these dogs are as popular as they are. Since they do not shed seasonally, their hair keeps growing.

Therefore, it is the reason why they have such silky and long hair. This hair would keep growing till the time it reaches its fullest capacity.

After that, the growth would stop. Once this hair stops growing, it gets pushed out by the body so that it can be replaced. It is a continuous cycle that goes on throughout the year.

It is pretty much the same thing that happens with our hair as well.

Read Also: 15 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire terriers are hypoallergenic

In that sense, they are much like the Goldendoodles. You need to understand that no dog in this world is hypoallergenic. It is a myth – it is just that some breeds are better than others at dealing with allergies.

Hypoallergenic dogs are less likely to lead to allergic reactions, especially when you compare them to dog breeds that are non-hypoallergenic.

However, this does not mean that hypoallergenic breeds are allergy-proof. In dogs, the dander attached to their hair causes the allergy.

The term dander can be called a collection of microscopic oils and dead skin cells. Dog air also holds onto the urine and saliva excreted by a dog.

These are the two main reasons why certain people suffer from pet allergies. Yorkies do not have much dander, so they are great for people with pet allergies.

Reasons why Yorkshire terriers lose more hair than they should 

Is your Yorkie losing more hair than it should? Perhaps, it could be because of an underlying reason, such as a medical issue. Stress is a factor when it comes to hair loss.

They get stressed by something else in the home, such as another pet. Perhaps they are picking up on the stress that you are experiencing yourself.

The thing with hair loss for such reasons is that once the stress gets eliminated, the hair loss is gone. Such increasing hair loss could also happen because of pregnancy.

How to deal with Yorkshire terrier shedding?

A Yorkie may not shed, but they need extra grooming. Single-coated dogs like these might not need the same amount of grooming as a breed a Labrador would.

However, you have to care for them. Brushing is a significant part of their grooming schedule, and you need the right tools. Get the right shampoo for them. Diet is a crucial factor in this particular regard, and you may have to feed them supplements to deal with extra shedding.

Conclusion

Yorkies shed, but they do so manageably. If you are looking for a breed that would not shed much, these babies would be commendable canine companions for your home. Not only do they shed less than the other breeds, but they are smaller.

It means that compared to the other smaller breeds, they have lesser hair for each square inch. However, please remember that their hair would still fall out, and you would have to groom them properly.