Grooming a Show Yorkie

*sigh*
Alright....I'm really wanting to Show my Yorkie, Dixie. She's a real nice lookin' dog, although I can't seem to get a good picture of her that even remotely does her any Justice.....I promise though, when I finish teaching her how to stack, I'll post a good pic of her! We've had her checked over by the vet, and although she's only 7mo, he says that she's a nice, sound dog, and she has a really great bite, and topline (although, she tends to roach her back alot, when she's getting lovin's, or whatever, so it's hard to tell unless you see her in person) Anyway, I'm here to get some Grooming tips. I didn't know when I 1st got her that I should dampen her hair before brushing/combing it, and I was brushing her everyday without wetting it down a little. Lately though, I've been lightly spritzing with a mixture of a really mild body spray (smells good!!!) and water, and combing it. It's doing really nicely. Now, when we got her she was 12wks, and she'd already had her ears shaved, and everything, but she's 7mo now, and I haven't done it....I'm not sure what to do, although I saw a diagram on how to do it, but can't find it now. I just want any tips on Grooming I can get. I'm not planning on showing her in the big-time or anything, just the local AKC show that comes through town 1 or 2 times a year at our local Ag barn, and maybe at the fair show (just for fun). Here are some of the questions I have:

Ear trimming
Feet Trimming
Tail Trimming (should I trim the end of her tail? The hair's really long...)
Hair in general

This is the big one I have though....
I shaved my Silky Terrier/Yorkie mix in a puppy cut not long ago, and her hair was black at the tips, and white/silver at the roots, and so when we shaved her she was all silvery white. I wanted to know if I shaved Dixie, exposing her blue fur, if it would be a good Idea so that it grows out all blue. Right now she still has some black....What age do they silver (or in her case, blue)? Lucy is a month Younger, and was already more silver than Dixie before we shaved her... Here's a picture of Lucy my Silky mix:



And here's a couple pictures of Dixie....:




I hope you understand what I mean. If anyone has any advice, even for grooming stuff I didn't ask about, there's always alot to learn THANK YOU!

Lauren

What a cutie!! You've aleady had someone give you some grooming tips, from the sounds of it. They're right, you never dry brush this coat. Do not trim tail. You'll also have to learn to do a proper top knot, keep hair from breaking and out of eyes. You'll need to learn to dremel nails and trim paws. Reccommend you get a book called "All breed Dog Grooming" and a breed book with pictures to practice from. Also, that you buy a leave -in conditioning spray called The Stuff. (Can order it online at Pet Edge.)You'll have to stay on top of this coat, right from the start. You'll need a pr.of thinning shears, top knot bands, nail dremel, a greyhound comb/metal comb, leave-in coat conditioner, spray bottle, tear stain remover and a good shampoo & conditioner, for this breed and you're set!

Thank you so much Otch1! That's wonderful advice! I'll search online! Do you think all of this could come from Pet Edge? Or even Petsmart? lol! We visit Petsmart weekly, so maybe I could find something. I'll definately search Pet Edge though. THANK YOU!

Lauren & Dixie

p.s. Thank you, I think she's a cutie too!

Try adding an egg to her food, or adding Biotin to her diet, it helps with the coat.

Also, take her collar off. Only put it on when you are taking her for a walk, when shes inside remove it. The collar creates a ring around the neck which is quite undesirable in a show dog.

Good luck with her!

P.S. I use a mixture of Suave conditioner and water. About 70-75%water and a bit of conditioner in a spray bottle. It dampens the coat, leaves them smelling wonderful, and if you dont add too much conditioner it wont leave the coat wavy looking

Yes, Petsmart carries some of these products but not book, or The stuff (?) The book is by Sam Kohl. Also, forgot you'll need a good pin brush verses slicker brush. Best never to use a slicker, if you can help it, on this coat. You'll also see instructions for ears in the book.... good luck.

Okay! Thank you for such wonderful advice!!! I probably can get the book online somwhere, or even on eBay. I'll go to that Pet Edge site, to get The Stuff. Thank you for the info about the brushes! I have a slicker brush, but I don't use it often, as she seems almost sensitive to it. She doesn't like the feel at all. I havea pin brush, but it's from Walmart, so I'll get a good one when I'm at Petsmart next. Thanks again!!

Lauren & Dixie

Oooh, I didn't see your post at 1st. Thank you!!! I'll search online for more info about Biotin. You think I could get that at Petsmart also? If not, I'll probably go with the eggs. I'll take her collar off also. I never thought about the ring. We just normally leave it on (unless she's in her crate) so that if the doors open, and she gets out, she has ID. Is there a better way to so this, so she doesn't have the ring? She doesn't have one now, but I can definately see that in the future the ends will break, etc. I could get her microchipped, but I always heard that should never be subtituted for a collar and ID tag, but only added to it. Any help on that would be great. Thanks again!!!

Lauren & Dixie

p.s. Will the conditioner make her itch? Thanks!

You can find the Biotin at your local health store. You can ring up your vet, or ask here how much should be given for a pup her size.

As for the collar, try googling "Fur Saver Collar" and i'll try to get you the site that was recommended to me.

Also, the conditioner wont make her itch because there wont be alot of it. A good measurement would be 1 table spoon for every 4-5 ounces of water. If you have an 8 ounce bottle, add twop table spoons and a tad bit. So when you spray the water is a bit whitish but not too heavy with conditioner. You'll know that you added too much if her coat becomes crinkly when it dries.

Good luck with her, shes a beauty!

Best page I've found for grooming Yorkies.

http://www.yorkie.org/dogs/grooming_yorkies.html

Oh, and if you're crafty, you can make your own collar with some satin ribbon. I've seen show Afghan Hounds that wear these for ID. The collars are soft and slick, and also kept loose on the dog's neck, so they don't hurt the hair but still stay on as reliable ID. I was thinking of making one for Dakota (he gets the ring around the neck from collars) but I hadn't researched how to do it.

I don't know about yorkie grooming, but you might want to blur the tags in the photos.

Thank you so much for all the help!

Thanks! I'll definately check out the link, and do some internetting on how to make one of those collars. You probably could just braid some satin ribbon together huh? Thanks again everyone! This has been great help!!!!

I have a shampoo question. This is the stuff I've used on Dixie since I got her, and I wondered if it was any good.....Here's what's printed on the front:

Groomax for Dogs

Gentle Puppy Shampoo

Tearless formula, gently cleans skin & coat

With Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E for a soft, and shiny coat

Thick, penetrating formula

With Coat-ShieldTM protection

Powder Clean Scent

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778499&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026123&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1160239425319&itemNo=13&Nao=12&In=Dog&N=2026123&Ne=422

Theres a link to get to the page for it at Petsmart. There are alot of other kinds there for me to get. Any reccomendations are great. THANKS! Also, is Nutro a good food to feed? That's what I've been feeding her since I got her, and it's what she was fed at the breeders. I was told at another forum that Nutro is one of the best brands to feed along with Natura, and some other things. Any help is great. THANKS!

Nutro is better than say, Purina, or Iams, but there are much better foods around. I press on people with small dogs because they should really take advantage that they dont have to feed so much.

You can buy an 8lb bag of Canidae or Innova and have it last you about 2 months! So even if you buy THE most expensive food in the store you still arent spending much.

Do you know where those can be found? Do you have to order online? I don't think I've seen them at Petsmart, but maybe it's just because I wasn't directly looking for them...i'll look on the website, and look around next time we go. We're almost out of food anyway, so we'll see what's there. I don't care about the expence. I'll pay whatever I need if it means my dogs will be the healiest dogs they can be. Although, you're right about their size. They don't even eat a whole bowl in a day between both of them. lol!

Innova and Canidae etc aren't sold at large chains such as Petco and Petsmart, but are sold and small independent stores. Both of their websites have store locators where you can find the retailers. I highly recommend these - the ingredients lists are amazing and it makes the coat so soft. You can also order it online if you don't have a store that carries them near you -

http://petfooddirect.com/

I use Earthbath shampoo on Charlie - it's all natural so you can use it as often as you'd like without damaging the skin/coat, unlike most other shampoos. You may want to look into that for a show dog since you'll probably be bathing her often. I'm getting the Oatmeal & Aloe for Charlie next, it sound really nice. ^^

http://www.earthbath.com/

Thank you so much for those links!!! I'm going to try and find a place that sells those foods nearby! If I can't find one, I don't mind ordering online, I can probably get the Earthbath stuff online too? I'll check that site also to see if they mention where it's sold. Thanks again!

1 question....i looked at the link you sent, and some other sites that sell Natura/Innova, and what does this mean even? I found it on every site....

_____________________________
Just 4 Dog Lovers LLC
1715 Old Fort Parkway Suite 200
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129
United States
phone: (615) 506-0694
_____________________________

Yes! I found that for the Earthbath stuff! I'm going to ask my mom if she'll take me to get some tomorrow.

I bought Charlie's Earthbath at Petco. But there is a store locator on Earthbath's website too I'm sure you can order it off amazon or something too.

I have no idea what the restricted territory thing means...all I know is that a ton of stores here in New England. Maybe it's only sold in North America for freshness? I have no clue, hah Whatever it is, I don't think it affects you since you're in the continental US.

Edited to add: Good luck! I hope you can get ahold of some Earthbath!