Mischievious Little Angel
 

I cut Katie's hair several weeks ago because she plays for long stretches of time retrieving her balls. She stops at nothing in search of her balls, and she is constantly in the middle of shrubbery. Her long coat attracted every sticky and leaf imagineable, and I knew I had to do this for my little girl. I miss her beautiful locks of silky hair, but I love how easy it is for Katie now. She is in and out of her baby pool, dries so quickly and attracts much less dirt while playing, and Katie is so much cooler.

I have much prettier photos of Katie, but these are some of the photos I took since I cut Katie's hair. Most of them show her playful, mischievious side, but she also is my angelic little girl with such a loving heart.

The lighting and color is off in some of these, but I was experimenting a bit, and I was trying something different.

Last set. The last photo was a week after I cut Katie's hair. It was a really rainy day that had gone down to 40 degrees, and I felt so bad for Katie. It was so cold, ande had just come from the vet. She had a Rabies shot and bloodwork taken for a titer instead of her having her booster a month from then.

I really relate to your post. My Cali loves her little back yard, her balls and toys and most of all chasing squirels. She has a beautiful long flowing coat, but I often think, especially then we are brushing out the leaves, mulch,grass and dirt, that even though she is so patient that she would love a shorter coat.

I want her to enjoy her life to the fullist so always struggle with what I should do. Mi havenalwYsnwondered why people bought dogs with long costs and cut them off - my thinking, so why didn't they just get a short haired dog if that was what they wanted.

Cali enjoys her brushingnifni am notmina hurry and it is our time together with treats and attention. But...I always wonder if she would like it better with a shorter :confused:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

She is darling I really like her shorter cut

It was really difficult for me to cut Katie's hair, but it came down to what I felt was best for her. We had our property fully cleaned after Hurricane Sandy, but the storm was hard on the trees, and I think more things dropped than usual this winter. A local vet told my neighbor that a lot of dogs are suffering this year more with allergies and other illnesses due to Hurricane Sandy.

We played outside all winter, and Katie was constantly covered with stickies and leaves between her legs. My husband would sit with her each time, often greater than an hour, to make sure every last leaf fragment was off, and then we would be ready to go out again. Katie is so good when getting her hair combed and topknot done, so that wasn't the problem. I love Katie's hair long, but even though her hair is short, you can see the beautiful silk. I'm hoping that, if I end up cutting her hair again, I can leave the legs longer. This winter and spring, her legs were the area that bothered Katie the most, and when she had leaves stuck underneath her back legs and belly, she'd stop to try to get it off. Short or long, Katie is perfect to me, and I think she's beautiful either way. She looks like a little cutie with it short, and I love her more than I could ever epress.

If Callie isn't bothered by her hair, it's fine with it longer. I knew it would be easier on Katie because she plays so hard outside, and now there's nothing that gets in her way. I promised Katie and her breeder that I would always do what is best for her, and that's why this was something I knew I had to do.

I think in the end if your dog is one that loves to play and run about all over and poke into every place and really enjoy being a plain old dog, a long coat is a hindrance and too hard on the dog to keep up. Tibbe just hated my trying to get out mats and all of the things it took to try to keep his coat long, as it was when I got him. He's such a prey-driven and fun-loving go-getter, I had to make the decision what would make his life better from his point of view. Long grooming sessions are not his thing but playing and dashing about are so he got a shorter coat for the very same reason.

No matter if she's buzz-clipped, Katie would still be adorable, Lisa. I enjoyed these pictures of her so much. They show a beautiful, healthy dog panting and fully happy from enjoying herself just being a dog. I'd rather see that any day than a gorgeous show dog picture. Don't get me wrong, I dearly love a beautiful, formal picture of a gorgeous dog in full, silky coat and I'll admit it, but my heart enjoys these kinds of pictures of dogs even more.

Katie playing with her little daschund friend
 

Katie loves playing with Sadie, her daschund friend. They are so cute together.

Oh she looks adorable. Love her with long or short. it is those little personalities we love the most. With longer coats they are like Velcro. Everything sticks to them. Galen's is growing and he loves to roll around on the grass. He stands up covered in everything lol. That is when I think hmmmmm. Cut it?

Lisa, Katie is one of the most beautiful girls on YT. I love the short body cut and medium length face, it make her look like a feisty little girl. She is so lucky to have a mom who looks out for what is best for her.:)

I understand the stress over the haircut. I felt the same way when I cut Deuce this year. I love the long coat and that is why I got a yorkie but I wanted him to be able to play the way he wants outside. I've always kept his face trimmed since he drools so much when he plays ball in the house. He also loves playing ball outside and just rooting around the yard. The leaves were always tangled in his coat. Now that the coat is growing back he really looks adorable. I think I might give him a body cut - not the legs - before our July vacation so he can enjoy the water then let it grow for the winter.

Katie is such a pretty girl she'd look good with any cut. I love the pictures with her tongue out. She's outside having a ball which is really what it's all about.

I went through the same dilemma a couple of weeks ago and decided to go with a short cut. I love it and Lexi loves it too!

Awww! She's so adorable!

Katie is so cute! I struggle with how to have my two cut. They don't like the grooming part of their day.
Good for you for putting Katie's lifestyle first.

Katie is such a sweet looking little baby.

Thank you so much for all of your kind words. My little girl makes me laugh all of the time. We play a lot, and Katie is highly toy driven. It has happened too many times to be a coincidence, but I usually try to tell her a few minutes before we are going to go inside. Once I tell her we will soon go inside, Katie hops into her pool and gets wet. This smart little stinker knows that we will need to stay outside a little longer for her to dry off. With the hair short now, it's not much of an issue, but now, with her cooling off, I figure why not let her play a little longer?

Katie is just sooo cute it hurts.

I also cut Remy's hair really short, for mostly the same reasons

Deuce looks gorgeous all of the time! We haven't opened our inground pool because, after spending thousands of dollars trying to find a leak, the pool still leaks. Someday we'll fix it, but it's not a priority right now except that I'd love to have it for Katie to really swim. My other three little Yorkies at the Rainbow Bridge swam everyday during the summer. I had them in full coat, and I needed to cut it. Deuce's hair will be fine swimming, but with the hair long, it was wrapping around my little ones' legs, and it made it more difficult for them to swim. They were always happier, and then I'd let it grow in once it got cooler outside. I hope you enjoy your vacation.

My thoughts exactly! :D

Never feel guilty about cutting their coat short :) We choose 'our' breed, whatever it may be, on which breed will be happiest with us and suit our lifestyle etc.
I would LOVE a border collie and go on loooong hikes with her and do agility and obedience etc BUT....I'm 45 now and not as fit as I used to be 20 years ago and, quite frankly, a collie would wear me out :p Plus, Neil and I enjoy holidays in caravans & cottages around the UK and wanted a small breed who could come with us, not take up too much room (ie Irish Wolfhound or even German Shephered-sized) but who could also enjoy countryside walks of around 3-5 miles. We narrowed it down to either Yorkies or Chihuahuas and Neil 'decided' on the former after meeting a workmate's dog and realising just how adorable and friendly they are, despite their small size :) (you know how some guys think toy breeds aren't 'real' dogs just because they're teeny!)

When we get our girl she WILL be having a shorter haircut once she's old enough (around 8-10 months?) as it'll keep her cooler AND, as I'm a firm believer in letting dogs be dogs and NOT precocious babies who must be carried everywhere, no doubt she'll be have the odd occasion when she gets muddy or sandy from the beach or picks up the odd burr from grassy areas :)

She is adorable !!

I know what you mean about not wanting to cut all that beautiful hair. I didn't want to cut my pups either but sometimes you just have to do what's best for the pup. My Quincy always had long lock also but now is just too old and will not tolerate being groomed for long periods of time or at all for that matter. The other three are ok with it but for my own sanity if keep them cut in either a modified joey or a schnauzer cut.

Thank you, Jeanie. You are always so kind and supportive. I was hoping to get a healthy, well-bred Yorkie with an excellent temperament who also was well-socialized. I got Katie from an outstanding show hobby breeder who breeds to better the breed. She does all of the health tests for her adult breeding dogs, and she temperament and bile acid tests all of the puppies. Katie got her championship very quickly, but I believe her time in the show ring made her even more socialized and courageous. Ilona, her breeder, trains with her pups a lot, and if you met Katie and saw how confident she is, you could see how much Ilona loves her. She slept in bed with Katie, but somedays, probably when there were puppies being whelped, Katie slept in another bedroom on the bed or her bed. Katie was definitely a much loved member of the family, and went on lots of family vacations with them. Letting me have Katie, a young little girl with a full life ahead of her, was a selfless, beautiful act of kindness and love. She most definitely loves Katie, and it was so difficult for her to give her up. I need to make sure that I take Katie to Manhattan when she comes to show her dogs at the Nation Specialty and at Westminster. Ilona wants so much to see Katie, and I'm sure my little love-bug will have lots of kisses for her.

I worried so about taking her from that environment where she was so obviously loved, away from her family of three years, to our home. Most of all, I wanted Katie to be a healthy, happy dog--to live the life of an active princess doing all of the things she loves to do. That also means knowing that she will be taken care of and protected by her mommy and daddy. There are so many nights that I get very little sleep. With my work that I need to do at night, my time here on YT, and the hours Katie and I spend playing, even our midnight or later playing session, there are just not enough hours a day. However, I will say this, with Katie in our lives, John, Katie, and I are very happy. I' m so ecstatic that our little girl loves her new life with us!!!!

I really appreciate what you wrote. I am very protective of people/dogs I love. My high school students tease me at times about this, but they say it so good-naturedly and I never mind.

Thank you. Katie most definitely loves to play. She is such a fun, funny little girl.

I'm really glad that you and Lexi love her haircut. Although I love Katie with long hair, I absolutely LOVE seeing my little girl flying through the air on a mission to retrieve her ball. With her short hair, it is just so much better for her right now.

Thank you. Your babies are, too.

Remy probably looks so precious with her hair short. I want to see photos!

I don't regret cutting Katie's hair, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I might try to have it grow back to the way it was when we got her, and see how that goes. This year it wasn't an option because the leaves were always stuck in her legs.

I often bring Katie with me and put her in a carrier that she feels safe in. She loves seeing people and enjoys interacting with them. That doesn't mean she doesn't get to play and be a dog. She enjoys all of her time with me and my husband, too, so I give her lots of different experiences throughout the day. I agree about just having a dog to carry around with you but not getting to play or enjoy life the way it should be enjoyed.

Thank you. Nothing seems to stop her, and she's got amazing stamina and such a joie de vivre.

Just looking at Galen melts. His coat looks gorgeous, and he's just stunning! You'll know if it gets to the point that it's interfering with his play and bothering him. Galen would look gorgeous anyway.

I love the modified Joey or Schnauzer cuts. I hope to try that on Katie next summer, but if it still hinders her, I'll go back to cutting it again.

Thank you, Aymie. Katie Scarlett is a cutie for sure.

Thank you so much for your kindness.

I just love me some Katie!! She is absolutely gorgeous in any haircut. I think you did the best thing for her. I know she is happy being able to play outside and not get all that stuff in her hair.

You can tell when she's been playing the most becaust that "Katie Tongue" gets even longer in the pics. lol Soooo cute!!

She looks to cute with her shorter coat. Also so nice she has a little friend to play with. My Hollee is a little imp and loves playing outside with her little friend Lucy, a dachsund. Ax:aimeeyork

Thank you, Teri. You are always so kind. When Katie gets excited, you can see her smile with her tongue. She always has lots of water, and most times she hops in the pool every few minutes to cool off, but some of those photos were after she was running high speed for over an hour. Katie knows enough to rest in the shade when she gets too worked up, but she's got amazing stamina and drive, and very little stops her. Katie has two very overprotective parents, and we are careful to not let her overheat, but she'd play all day if we let her. The hair cut is definitely easier on her.

Thank you. Hollee must be adorable with Lucy. Katie looks like a little butterball in the photo because of her thick hair and the difference between a Yorkie body and that of a dachshund, but she's so much smaller than Sadie. The weight difference scares me when they are running chasing each other, but it's so nice for them to have a friend to play with. I hope Katie will have a sister someday.

She looks so cute with her new shorter do and so happy too!!

Katie looks like a cute adorable puppy! She has to be the happiest girl & I know you both make ea/other smile.
All 4 of mine have shorter cuts now, so much easier to take care of & it compliments the hot humid CA summer weather. Mimi was the last to have her hair cut short, it was so hard to decide if I should cut off her beautiful floor length hair. I wish I had done it sooner loll!