Shorter Haircuts and Matted Hair

[Elaine Benise]

I tried to look for a similar thread but the search function wasn't working right, so I'll just start my own!!

I'm looking to see pictures of those Yorkies that have a shorter cut. I need to take Delilah in for her first cut and I want some good ideas. I don't want anything too short. I think one of the cuts I like the best that I've seen on here is Theresa's dog?? I think that's her name.

Anyway, I want anyone who has a dog with a shorter cut to please post a pic or two. I really want something that will be as low maintenance as possible without being too short because I do love the Yorkie's hair.

The other issue is the matting. I've been negligent in brushing her hair as often as I should. It was short for so long and didn't need it and by the time I started noticing that she needed to be brushed daily, I had already found some matted hair around her legs and on her tummy. If I take her in to the groomer like that, the groomer will shave her. Is there any way I can get those mats out myself before I take her in? Should I just cut them off with a scissors or is there a way I can comb them out?

TIA!

[Britster]

I love Jackson's shorter hair, such easy maintenance.

First picture is of his second ever haircut.
Second is right after he got shaved short for the summer.
Third picture is now, a shot taken two days ago.

[mscat]

You can buy a dematter comb, and slowly work out the matts , using your fingers, separating the matts , and using the demmater comb. It takes patience. Use a conditioning spray to soften the hair . It is very important not to try and dematt your baby's hair without using a conditioning spray first .
Also, please bruse your baby's hair with a slicker brush. these are wonderful, and are maintence brushes. It is important to brush your yorkies hair on a daily basis to prevent serious matting.
my Suzi had to be shaved down once because of this, when I became very sick in the hospital. I understand, that it can be difficult to maintain the grooming. It takes a long time for the hair to grow back > I had to learn the hard way.
A puppy cut looks cute on a yorkie. Most groomers are familar with this style . Take your yorkie to a groomer who is experienced with yorkies and is experienced as a groomer. This is Very important .

[chachi]

The dematting comb has saved me from having to get Jewels shaved in the past

[TeresaM]

All 3 of mine are kept in short hair. Boo is a good boy and will stand still for me so I just shave his body in the summertime and leave the hair on his legs and head longer.


Gracie Ruth matts real bad too, so she stays in a short cut. I use to do a Lamb cut on her, but it just wasn't flattering. The last time Lisa cut her body and the upper part of her legs to about 1/2" and then left the lower half of her legs long. Lisa calls them boots, DH says it looks like she has bell bottoms on. I just call it cute! Here she is in the Lamb cut.


Yogi is in a modified Lamb cut. I say modified because Lisa does extra work to layer his hair so that it will lay nicely and not stick out like he's been electrocuted . Which the hair on his face has a tendency to do.


You really need to work those mats out because otherwise they'll probably just need to shave her. If you don't already have, you'll need to get a nice metal 'flea' comb, these are the best at working the mats out. You can get some detangler at the pet stores or I use Corn Starch, it works really good to help loosen the mats so that you can comb them out. Just take a pinch and rub it into the mat and work on it a little with the comb. Rub some more in, if needed, until you work the mat all out. I've never tried but have heard you can put a little hair conditioner on the mat to help loosen it. But unless you just want to have her shaved and then start from there, you really need to work those mats out.

[k2p1e]

I am a groomer and own a shop and myself and the other groomers will demat but it costs extra (as in $60/hour on top of the regualr grooming price) because it is so time consuming.

The bad thing about dematting is it can damage the hair and make it much more brittle and will mat easier in the future.

I would pick a hair style that works with your lifestlye. If you do not have time to brush your dog daily (I am one of those people and heck! I am dog groomer!!) and your dog mats eaily, a shorter style will work better for you.

I find my male yorkie can have his hair about 1/2" all over and I can leave him for about 6 weeks and then the matts start, so as long as I groom him every 5 weeks at this length we have no matts.

If the groomers do decide to clip the mats off they will have to go as short as the matts are against the skin, so it could possibly be very short!

[Cinq1964]

I keep Nolee in a shorter cut. It is easier to maintain! It is considered a schnazer cut with a puppy cut in the face. Hope you find a pic of what you are looking for!

[HERBS]

I keep Basil cut short on the body and boots on her feet. She is a snorkie so her hair on her body grows in a poof but straight on the head The last groomer completely messed her hair up by cutting the top short! NOW I am fighting the grow out period. Too sort to knot and too long to stay out of her eyes. Teddy Thy my boy of 1 year has never had a cut and I never plan on cutting his hair. I will personally trim it if it ever sweeps the ground. I am not only willing but I LOVE combing his hair everyday LOL He is so beautiful and his hair has such a luxurious shine I could never part with it. My new baby has broken fragile hair (from scratching)... I just pray hers grows into a beautiful coat because I would prefer not to cut hers either. There is nothing prettier than a long full coat *sigh*

[Elaine Benise]

Thank you all SO much!!! I really didn't think I would be able to work through the mats, so this gives me hope!! I will go to the pet store tomorrow and see what I can find.

Love all the pictures too!! Teresa - Yogi is the one I was thinking about. I Looooooove that cut the most!!!! The groomer I plan to use has a Yorkie of her own so I'm HOPING she knows what to do!! How long does that cut last? ie how long in between cuts?

[yorkie_mama22]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

All 3 of mine are kept in short hair. Boo is a good boy and will stand still for me so I just shave his body in the summertime and leave the hair on his legs and head longer.
Attachment 289671

Gracie Ruth matts real bad too, so she stays in a short cut. I use to do a Lamb cut on her, but it just wasn't flattering. The last time Lisa cut her body and the upper part of her legs to about 1/2" and then left the lower half of her legs long. Lisa calls them boots, DH says it looks like she has bell bottoms on. I just call it cute! Here she is in the Lamb cut.
Attachment 289672

Yogi is in a modified Lamb cut. I say modified because Lisa does extra work to layer his hair so that it will lay nicely and not stick out like he's been electrocuted . Which the hair on his face has a tendency to do.
Attachment 289669

You really need to work those mats out because otherwise they'll probably just need to shave her. If you don't already have, you'll need to get a nice metal 'flea' comb, these are the best at working the mats out. You can get some detangler at the pet stores or I use Corn Starch, it works really good to help loosen the mats so that you can comb them out. Just take a pinch and rub it into the mat and work on it a little with the comb. Rub some more in, if needed, until you work the mat all out. I've never tried but have heard you can put a little hair conditioner on the mat to help loosen it. But unless you just want to have her shaved and then start from there, you really need to work those mats out.

I love Gracie Ruth and Yogi's cuts!! That is exactly what I'd love for Lola!!

[mscat]

Originally Posted by Elaine Benise

Thank you all SO much!!! I really didn't think I would be able to work through the mats, so this gives me hope!! I will go to the pet store tomorrow and see what I can find.

Love all the pictures too!! Teresa - Yogi is the one I was thinking about. I Looooooove that cut the most!!!! The groomer I plan to use has a Yorkie of her own so I'm HOPING she knows what to do!! How long does that cut last? ie how long in between cuts?

Once the matts are out , it is very important to maintain the grooming and brushing everyday. I know it is hard to always groom everydaY your yorkie , however, it actually creates a stronger bond between each other. + your yorkie becomes more trusting aND less stressed out in between brushings. And it is so much easier to control the matting.
Their are so many cute cuts out there for a yorkie. ANd IMO, a yorkie always looks adorable no matter what

[joeyandtanksmom]

I'm personally a fan of the "puppy cut". I basically have just done shorter in the warmer months, and let it grow out longer/used longer clippers in the cooler months. I always use scissors for their faces and legs as well as the touch-ups, but I find the clippers quite nice.

[BaxtersMommy]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

All 3 of mine are kept in short hair. Boo is a good boy and will stand still for me so I just shave his body in the summertime and leave the hair on his legs and head longer.
Attachment 289671

Gracie Ruth matts real bad too, so she stays in a short cut. I use to do a Lamb cut on her, but it just wasn't flattering. The last time Lisa cut her body and the upper part of her legs to about 1/2" and then left the lower half of her legs long. Lisa calls them boots, DH says it looks like she has bell bottoms on. I just call it cute! Here she is in the Lamb cut.
Attachment 289672

Yogi is in a modified Lamb cut. I say modified because Lisa does extra work to layer his hair so that it will lay nicely and not stick out like he's been electrocuted . Which the hair on his face has a tendency to do.
Attachment 289669

You really need to work those mats out because otherwise they'll probably just need to shave her. If you don't already have, you'll need to get a nice metal 'flea' comb, these are the best at working the mats out. You can get some detangler at the pet stores or I use Corn Starch, it works really good to help loosen the mats so that you can comb them out. Just take a pinch and rub it into the mat and work on it a little with the comb. Rub some more in, if needed, until you work the mat all out. I've never tried but have heard you can put a little hair conditioner on the mat to help loosen it. But unless you just want to have her shaved and then start from there, you really need to work those mats out.

Hey Teresa!

Who is Lisa? I love Yogi's cut. Gracies too. Bayleigh, I think will take after Gracie with ther looks. Baxter's hair is a MESS! lol When do you think I should take them? How old?