So, do Yorkshire terriers shed hair a lot? Although Yorkies shed, they don’t shed a lot when compared to other dog breeds.
Many don’t notice this and conclude that they don’t shed at all.
Yorkshire Terriers, like all dogs, shed hair as part of their natural hair growth cycle. Shedding is a normal process that allows old or damaged hair to be replaced with new hair. However, Yorkies are known for being a low-shedding breed, which means they tend to shed less hair compared to other breeds. Here are a few reasons why Yorkshire Terriers may shed hair:
- Hair Growth Cycle: Dogs, including Yorkies, go through different stages of hair growth. The growth cycle consists of an active growth phase (anagen), a transitional phase (catagen), and a resting phase (telogen). During the resting phase, old hair naturally falls out to make room for new hair growth. Shedding occurs mainly during the telogen phase.
- Seasonal Shedding: Some Yorkies may experience a slight increase in shedding during seasonal changes. This is often referred to as “blowing coat.” During the transition from one season to another, dogs may shed more to adjust their coat density according to the temperature and daylight changes. However, compared to breeds with heavy shedding, Yorkies generally have minimal seasonal shedding.
- Health and Nutrition: A healthy diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a Yorkie’s coat health. Nutritional deficiencies or imbalances can affect the quality of their hair and potentially lead to excessive shedding. Ensure that your Yorkie is receiving a balanced and nutritious diet appropriate for their age and size. Consult with a veterinarian if you have concerns about your dog’s diet or if you notice excessive shedding.
- Stress or Medical Conditions: Stress, anxiety, or underlying medical conditions can sometimes lead to increased shedding in dogs. If your Yorkie is experiencing significant hair loss or if the shedding is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like changes in appetite, skin irritations, or lethargy, it’s recommended to consult with a veterinarian for a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis.
- Grooming and Maintenance: Regular grooming and maintenance play a vital role in managing shedding in Yorkies. Regular brushing helps to remove loose hair and prevent mats or tangles that can lead to increased shedding. Additionally, professional grooming may be necessary to maintain the health and appearance of your Yorkie’s coat.
Table of Contents
Does Yorkshire Terrier Shed Hair?
Yes, yorkie terriers shed hair. However, there are many factors such as breed, season, and health that could affect it.
In many cases, indoor pet dogs such as these often shed their coats all year round at an even rate.
Do Yorkshire Terrier Puppies Shed?
Yeah, they do. But not as much as adult terriers.
Why Is My Yorkie Shedding?
Your hypoallergenic terrier dog will shed, little all through the year. In many cases, it is a natural thing but in other cases, it could be a sign of malnutrition or bad health.
How Much do Yorkies shed?
Not so much. More like a beer cap sized hair.
Although many classify this breed as a non-shedding dog, this does not mean that hair does not fall out.
Does my Yorkie Dog Have a Hair or Fur?
Actually, your Yorkshire has a hair and not a fur. The texture, thickness and rate of growth is what differentiates them.
Like any living creature with hair on, your pup’s hair will fall out as they undergo a renewal process.
The Coat Growth and Fall Out Cycle
Although the Yorkshire Terrier features hair and not fur. But that does not mean your dog will:
- The coat will not trigger allergies in people
- Not shed
Neither of the above is entirely true. So let’s look at what the difference is and how this applies to Yorkie shedding issues.
The growth cycle and texture are two primary factors that separate hair from fur in regard to dogs:
A Yorkies coat will continuously grow all through the year and they do not suffer from bursts of growth followed by intense shedding phases that many other breeds have.
The texture of the Yorkie’s coat will be finer than dogs with fur. Since strand grows long as an individual as opposed to being shed off and then replaced with a short strand, it will be longer and thinner.
What does that mean? Can Yorkie Terriers shed?
Funny, but yes, they can. A lot of people will be surprised at this answer and some long time owners will disagree about this and it is usually because this is not as noticeable as one may think.
The process of shedding is always clearer in dogs (as the hairs fall on furniture, on you, or on the ground) that have fur.
But, with the Yorkie, the body pushes out older hairs and replaces them with new ones on a never-ending, continual basis. If this is not true, your adult dog would have the same coat as your puppy! That would be dull, a mess, and dry too!
So, the soft, shiny hairs that you see are, in part, part as a result of the year-round shedding process.
Why is Shedding in my Yorkie not Noticeable?
Because their hairs are fine and long, so they typically fall back into the coat. That explains why shedding in Yorkshire terriers are not sometimes noticeable.
Instances where your dog might shed:
- During or after bath time, as you gently brush and comb through its coat
- During grooming time. The brush will pull them up
- For the females, during or right after the heat period and following fertilization.
Summary
While Yorkies are generally considered a low-shedding breed, individual dogs may vary. Some Yorkies may shed more or less depending on their genetics, health, and other factors. If you have concerns about your Yorkie’s shedding, it’s advisable to consult with a veterinarian. They can assess your dog’s overall health, offer guidance on grooming practices, and address any specific concerns you may have.
