Let's talk about the different types of coats a Yorkie, Morkie and Shorkie can have!
Did you know a yorkie can have all different types of coats or fur?
The next couple of sections will explain the different types of yorkie coats and the care or maintenance for each type.
When picking out a yorkie, it’s difficult to tell what type of coat (fur) they will have as adults until the reach approximately 6 weeks. At that time, you can start to see the pattern and texture of their fur.
Their coats can vary from smooth and silky, to wavy and textured, and it all hinges on genetics. Make sure to ask to see BOTH parents in order to understand what type of fur your pup may have. The breeder should be able to tell you (or show you pictures) of previous litters and all about the outcome of coats that they have made!
The next couple of sections will explain the different types of yorkie coats and the care or maintenance for each type.
When picking out a yorkie, it’s difficult to tell what type of coat (fur) they will have as adults until the reach approximately 6 weeks. At that time, you can start to see the pattern and texture of their fur.
Their coats can vary from smooth and silky, to wavy and textured, and it all hinges on genetics. Make sure to ask to see BOTH parents in order to understand what type of fur your pup may have. The breeder should be able to tell you (or show you pictures) of previous litters and all about the outcome of coats that they have made!
The Yorkie puppy coat is significantly different in color and thickness to their adult coat. The first thing you’ll notice is darker features, sometimes their coat will fade or lighten as they mature.
They’ll also be thicker and softer, this is common for all puppies. As they’re introduced into our world their soft coat acts as an extra barrier to keep them warm and protected until they grow into their adult coat.
When you choose your pup, you will see that there are choices to make based on the genetics of the parents.
In the far left and middle picture, these two pups came from the same parents! Mommy has a smooth wire coat and daddy has a cotton coat. The pup on the far left has a soft cotton coat today with lots of fluff and lots of brushing! The pup in the middle has a soft wire coat, little maintenance needed. The pup on the far right has a silky coat. Each pup turned out different as they grew up!
They’ll also be thicker and softer, this is common for all puppies. As they’re introduced into our world their soft coat acts as an extra barrier to keep them warm and protected until they grow into their adult coat.
When you choose your pup, you will see that there are choices to make based on the genetics of the parents.
In the far left and middle picture, these two pups came from the same parents! Mommy has a smooth wire coat and daddy has a cotton coat. The pup on the far left has a soft cotton coat today with lots of fluff and lots of brushing! The pup in the middle has a soft wire coat, little maintenance needed. The pup on the far right has a silky coat. Each pup turned out different as they grew up!
The silky coat is almost like human hair!
The desirable traits is presenting a proper AKC standard for show with hair that is long, straight (with no waves), and glossy (with an almost metallic sheen). Silky coats are carefully groomed to create a skirt of hair that evenly touches the floor, along with long flowing muzzle and head hair (usually with a top knot)!
This type of coat requires you to brush often. It’s super soft and in some cases thin. They can tangle easily and therefore sometimes a leave in conditioner and a fine tooth comb work beautifully!
The desirable traits is presenting a proper AKC standard for show with hair that is long, straight (with no waves), and glossy (with an almost metallic sheen). Silky coats are carefully groomed to create a skirt of hair that evenly touches the floor, along with long flowing muzzle and head hair (usually with a top knot)!
This type of coat requires you to brush often. It’s super soft and in some cases thin. They can tangle easily and therefore sometimes a leave in conditioner and a fine tooth comb work beautifully!
The Cotton Yorkie Coat
This soft fur is a lot of work but worth it! My little Gigi (pictured left) has the standard cotton coat. Born with the genetics of wavy or “furnishing” curl, she has a tendency to get super fluffy the longer her hair as it is wavy and thick. Daily brushing is necessary in order to maintain a mat free coat.
This type of coat can be challenging to grow long to the floor given the maintenance, thickness and curl. Although not entirely impossible, this coat is fun to keep in a puppy cut (shorter) length.
If you’re looking for a super soft like cotton candy fluff! This is the cost for you!
This soft fur is a lot of work but worth it! My little Gigi (pictured left) has the standard cotton coat. Born with the genetics of wavy or “furnishing” curl, she has a tendency to get super fluffy the longer her hair as it is wavy and thick. Daily brushing is necessary in order to maintain a mat free coat.
This type of coat can be challenging to grow long to the floor given the maintenance, thickness and curl. Although not entirely impossible, this coat is fun to keep in a puppy cut (shorter) length.
If you’re looking for a super soft like cotton candy fluff! This is the cost for you!
The Wire or Wooley Yorkie Coat
This coat appears to be more like a terrier coat. In many cases they are more of a wire or wooley coat. Super soft and super easy to maintain!
As puppies their coats are soft, thin, closer to the skin and not as fluffy in appearance. They sometimes look to have “fly away” fur with strands of hair going every which way. Super easy to maintain as they rarely mat or knot. They don’t require the daily brushing. The length usually stays short as their hair doesn’t tend to grow too long however if the coat is left to grow out the hair strands are thicker and easy to brush. The groomer can have fun with the different type of styles on this pooch!
This coat appears to be more like a terrier coat. In many cases they are more of a wire or wooley coat. Super soft and super easy to maintain!
As puppies their coats are soft, thin, closer to the skin and not as fluffy in appearance. They sometimes look to have “fly away” fur with strands of hair going every which way. Super easy to maintain as they rarely mat or knot. They don’t require the daily brushing. The length usually stays short as their hair doesn’t tend to grow too long however if the coat is left to grow out the hair strands are thicker and easy to brush. The groomer can have fun with the different type of styles on this pooch!