I need help with different hair coats...

[gr8youngmom]

Hello everyone, thanks for reading. I don't have any pics yet but please I have 2 yorkies and I think they are a wire coat and soft coat. I have never delt with this before these are my first... Please I would love to know all about thier coats how to manage what to expect, how long they will grow. I Have been told the wire coat won't really grow much and he is 6 months now and it is only about an inch long. But its very beautiful colors and very shiny and healthy. Is there anything I can do to encourage growth? About how long will it grow? Also tips on managing a soft coat will be very helpfull. My girl who I suspect has a soft coat is just about 16 weeks now can i tell for sure what her coat will be like now, or is it still too soon. Please any help is great and if you have either of these coats on your yorks and could show me a pic I would LOVE it!! Thanks...

[TeresaM]

Hi! Welcome!

I'm still trying to figure out all the coats too. The best thing I can tell you is that at these ages they have their puppy coats and it could all change by the time they are adults. The best indicator would be what type of coats do their parents have. It's all part of what I find so fascinating about this breed. Their coats change, the color changes, they all look so unique when finished. Gracie Ruth's coat is quite cottony right now, it mats very easily. But both her parents have good coats so I'm hopeful that she will too. You may find it easier to keep your girl clip short for right now. I clipped Gracie this summer and our grooming time became much more enjoyable. Boo seems to have a combo of types. His body is more wiry but his head and legs are silky. We keep him clipped in the summer to help keep him cool because I'm sure there is a Yak somewhere in his family tree. I believe Annie is what's called a Red Leg Yorkie - I'm just learning more about them. Her coat was silky, but only her body hair grew. I never had to trim her legs, head or ear hairs. They never grew.

A good shampoo and conditioner will help. Detangler if needed is also a good thing to use. And a good quality food will be the best thing to help their hair grow healthy and strong. Check the Health & Diet and the Grooming forums you can get a lot of good info there.

What are your babies names? Oh, and post some pictures as soon as you can!

1) Gracie Ruth at 8 months old
2) Boo in all his Yak glory-ness
3) Boo in his summer cut
4) Annie, Calendar Pin-Up Girl extraordinaire

[gr8youngmom]

Thank you so much for the response!! My babies names are Mason and Madison. I am thrilled to see your pictures of your Boo! He looks ALOT like Mason. I am new to yorkie talk but I am really loving all the information on here.

[gr8youngmom]

Ooops! i hit send before I finished...LOL the picture on the right is Mason, but it is alittle old he now has a full face of gold not just the puppy marks. I tried to get one of him today but he was too excited to get a good one... maybe later The one on the left is Madison, who I am pretty sure is a soft/cotton coat. I took that today. how long does your wire hair coatcoat grow if not cut? I hope his coat will grow like your Boos, Boo is very handsome.

[gr8youngmom]

Ok now I am officially retarded, Mason is on the left not the right. Madison is on the right not the left.... sorry I have a 3 yr and a 6 mo old + my baby yorkies, so my brain is fried!... LOL

[TeresaM]

Originally Posted by gr8youngmom

Ooops! i hit send before I finished...LOL the picture on the right is Mason, but it is alittle old he now has a full face of gold not just the puppy marks. I tried to get one of him today but he was too excited to get a good one... maybe later The one on the left is Madison, who I am pretty sure is a soft/cotton coat. I took that today. how long does your wire hair coatcoat grow if not cut? I hope his coat will grow like your Boos, Boo is very handsome.

Thanks, we think he's pretty handsome too! Boo's hair grows pretty fast and it would probably grow pretty long, but we cut him every spring to keep him cool. It gets pretty hot here in Texas in the summer and we go for daily walks, so a short coat is really necessary. We'll have to shave him down 2 or 3 times a summer. It probably only takes him about 4 months to go from the summer length to the what he looks like in his hairy picture. But remember it's really depends on the individual dog, not necessarily the coat type. That's part of the fun of Yorkies...no 2 are just alike.