Need opinions on going from long to short hair

[simbasmom]

I need opinions from my fellow YT members. I'm thinking about having Simba's hair cut. The issue is that Simba's hair is very silky and it knots up very easily which means he needs to be brushed almost every day. However, he HATES being brushed. I'm not kidding, it's a constant struggle with him. I've tried everything I can think of to make him like it but after a year and a half he hates it just as much as he did from when I first got him. So as beautiful as his long hair is I think it would be easier just to have him in a puppy cut. The only thing I'm worried about is that I've been told that some dogs get depressed when you cut their hair off. Has anyone had any experience with this? Most people who aren't dog lovers would think I was crazy if I talked about this but I know that you guys will understand.

[ArmaniMan]

I dont believe dogs know the difference, you treat them the same either way and they will be fine.

Just remember its just HAIR, it will grow back if you dont like it.

[ARCHIE]

I don't think Buddy got depressed when I had him clipped down a couple
of years ago, if he did I didn't notice. I hope he didn't.

Anyhow, he was shaved on the back, leaving his face about 3" long,
long on his legs and I have kept him that way since then. This past
winter I even let his tail,which was shaved down too, to grow in some.
It's now about 3" long and looks so cute.
I tell him he has a tail feather

[mothemost]

Opinions are just, indeed, opinions and, as the saying goes, each to his own.

Personally, I would neither trim nor cut a Yorkie's coat at any time. It is a fact that nature gave our splendid little terriers long and, often, very silky coats for a good purpose. Their coats keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. Many of my Yorkie friends have their little furbabes clipped out in the summer and it's always these very dogs who seem to feel the heat the most, BUT, as I said, this is nothing more than my own opinion and all of you out there have the right to follow your own beliefs.

ALL my Yorkies got into the habit of being groomed twice a day from tiny puppies. I know it's awfully time consuming and, often, a struggle but it does bring its rewards.

At the end of the day, unless you're bringing on your Yorkie for the show ring, you must follow your own heart. All Yorkies are totally unique and wonderful characters in their own special way!

[MauiGirl]

I don't think he would get depressed, but he will feel "different" for a little while. It shouldn't be too extreme if you are still leaving some hair and not shaving him. The trade off for Simba, in not enduring brushing he hates should be worth it.

I've had Tiki and Meika both taken from 6"+ long hair, down to 1", and the only change is that they seemed more playful and puppy-like. Neither mind brushing, so for me it was just a style change.

[Lee B]

Oh well, there has to be one in every crowd, I guess ...

My dogs have always known when they got haircuts. Even my German Shepherd knew if he got shaved down, and would hide down the wall, stick his head around the corner, and bark at the door. He knew he looked funny. OTOH, my little 3-legged doggie ALSO knew when she got a haircut, and would prance around in circles in front of anyone who'd stop long enough to tell her how *beaUtiful* she looked. Same with the Westie.

Now, Puddie's a cotton coat, and he could care less if his hair is cut, other than when it's short, he feels like velvet, so he gets rubbed a lot more (which he dearly loves). Bella's coat is long and has always been long, but she's a proud little thing, and I think she'd know if she got cut too short.

That being said, their reactions only last a few days, then they fall back into normal routine, whatever that is.

Puddie is "substantial"; he's a little tank. Short hair on him looks good. Bella's a dainty little waif; if she was cut as short as Puddie, it would look like we were starving her. She looks good in a long coat.

The only thing I can tell you is that the pup will get over it in a few days, one way or the other. And if he looks funny, lavish him with attention and take his mind off it. The other thing to remember: if you hate it, it DOES grow back. And this time, maybe you can brush him every day as it grows in, and he won't notice when it gets long again

[kjc]

My first Yorkie was truly embarassed when clipped down the first time. After about a week she was fine. I think she was cold or just felt naked! Might be less shocking to do it in increments.

[YorkieD]

Originally Posted by mothemost

Opinions are just, indeed, opinions and, as the saying goes, each to his own.

Personally, I would neither trim nor cut a Yorkie's coat at any time. It is a fact that nature gave our splendid little terriers long and, often, very silky coats for a good purpose. Their coats keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. Many of my Yorkie friends have their little furbabes clipped out in the summer and it's always these very dogs who seem to feel the heat the most, BUT, as I said, this is nothing more than my own opinion and all of you out there have the right to follow your own beliefs.

ALL my Yorkies got into the habit of being groomed twice a day from tiny puppies. I know it's awfully time consuming and, often, a struggle but it does bring its rewards.

At the end of the day, unless you're bringing on your Yorkie for the show ring, you must follow your own heart. All Yorkies are totally unique and wonderful characters in their own special way!

I agree, the hair protects them from cold & heat & sunburn. It is there for a purpose. Other than trimming up his little butt & feet a bit I don't plan to cut mine's hair. One of the reasons I wanted a yorkie is the beautiful, long, flowing hair.

[lwilliams]

I got Rucker's hair cut SHORT just today. He is being neutered tomorrow, and I wanted him to be neat and clean for the experience. I will probably always keep his coat short. One thing though, I didn't realize how SKINNY the poor thing is...lol. He is so little.

[Yorkiedaze]

I too love the look of the long hair on a Yorkie. It's a true normal look and very beautiful! "However", my Azrael has a true cotton coat and it is extremely thick. (Enough hair for four dogs) It's a horrible mess to keep the matts out despite having to brush and comb twice daily and use lots of conditioner and grooming spray. It isn't fun for her or me, so I cut her short, not shaved.
My youngest, Razael (2 1/2 years old) has a thinner silky coat, and has never had a hair cut. It's long to the floor. I do have to keep her underside cut short due to those tiny matts that collect there, like under the arms, groin and tummy. I do brush her every morning to keep the coat from any matts. Zada has a beautiful thick but silky coat and for some reason I don't have much of a matting problem with her. She also gets a morning brushing without fail.

[QuickSilver]

The only time I've heard of dogs reacting to their hair cuts is when they get shaved. Thor's had every haircut under the sun, and he seems to take them all in stride. I personally think puppy cuts on yorkies are very cute!

[ARCHIE]

I feel it's a person's personal opinion and those who do groom short have
reasons for doing so, I would think. I choose to groom short because I truly
belive Buddy feels better and always looks neat. When his coat is longer,
and I do love the long coats, it get's knotted easily since he has a silky coat
and to get the knotts out is not easy and it's unpleasant for him as well.
He also get's overheated in the heat. The part on his back exposes his
skin to the sun, whereas being short his back is covered and of course
in winter he wears a coat or jacket or sweater. Long or short they
have to have added protection from the cold anyhow. It's a matter
of personal preference for sure. Buddy always looks clean and neat
and I like it that way. It's easier for me and it's confortable for him.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Lee B

Oh well, there has to be one in every crowd, I guess ...

My dogs have always known when they got haircuts. Even my German Shepherd knew if he got shaved down, and would hide down the wall, stick his head around the corner, and bark at the door. He knew he looked funny. OTOH, my little 3-legged doggie ALSO knew when she got a haircut, and would prance around in circles in front of anyone who'd stop long enough to tell her how *beaUtiful* she looked. Same with the Westie.

Now, Puddie's a cotton coat, and he could care less if his hair is cut, other than when it's short, he feels like velvet, so he gets rubbed a lot more (which he dearly loves). Bella's coat is long and has always been long, but she's a proud little thing, and I think she'd know if she got cut too short.

That being said, their reactions only last a few days, then they fall back into normal routine, whatever that is.

Puddie is "substantial"; he's a little tank. Short hair on him looks good. Bella's a dainty little waif; if she was cut as short as Puddie, it would look like we were starving her. She looks good in a long coat.

The only thing I can tell you is that the pup will get over it in a few days, one way or the other. And if he looks funny, lavish him with attention and take his mind off it. The other thing to remember: if you hate it, it DOES grow back. And this time, maybe you can brush him every day as it grows in, and he won't notice when it gets long again

I'm with you...when I simply trim my oldest boy's ear tips, he behaves like I have stolen something precious from him. Like your Bella, my boys would not look good in short hair because of their build.

I agree with your advice to lavish attention on the dog after a drastic hair change.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I feel it's a person's personal opinion and those who do groom short have
reasons for doing so, I would think. I choose to groom short because I truly
belive Buddy feels better and always looks neat. When his coat is longer,
and I do love the long coats, it get's knotted easily since he has a silky coat
and to get the knotts out is not easy and it's unpleasant for him as well.
He also get's overheated in the heat. The part on his back exposes his
skin to the sun, whereas being short his back is covered and of course
in winter he wears a coat or jacket or sweater. Long or short they
have to have added protection from the cold anyhow. It's a matter
of personal preference for sure. Buddy always looks clean and neat
and I like it that way. It's easier for me and it's confortable for him.

I agree with you on hairstyles -- it's a personal preference and what suits the dog. Some look better long, some short, and some are lucky enough to look great both ways.

I originally intended to do the puppy cut, but Maximo looked goofy when I cut his hair. I never thought I would have a long haired dog.

[Sweet Apple]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I don't think Buddy got depressed when I had him clipped down a couple
of years ago, if he did I didn't notice. I hope he didn't.

Anyhow, he was shaved on the back, leaving his face about 3" long,
long on his legs and I have kept him that way since then. This past
winter I even let his tail,which was shaved down too, to grow in some.
It's now about 3" long and looks so cute.
I tell him he has a tail feather

My little Buzzy Boy has a tail feather, and I love it!!! The breeder thought she may have cut his tail too long, but I absolutely love his beautiful little flag tail...I wouldn't have it a silly millimeter shorter But I love my Buzzy Boy soooooooooo much...And my Apple Puddny Pie lol...