Are Yorkies Hypoallergenic Dogs? 

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When it comes to dogs, being hypoallergenic is all relative. In other words, no dog on the planet is completely hypoallergenic. After all, they all shed and have a certain amount of dander. When we say a dog is hypoallergenic, we mean it sheds less and creates less dander. So, are Yorkies hypoallergenic? 

Yorkies, also known as Yorkshire Terriers, are considered hypoallergenic dogs. For one thing, they hardly ever shed because they have hair that is a lot like ours. Unlike the fur coats we see on most other dogs, the hair that grows on Yorkies keeps on growing rather than falling out when it’s still short. Adding to the Yorkie’s hypoallergenic credentials is its lack of an undercoat. 

Let’s learn more about why Yorkshire Terriers are classified as hypoallergenic.

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Do Yorkies Shed? 

If you’re like most Yorkie owners and decide to give your dog a puppy coat, the hairs that are shed will be shorter and so the already limited shedding will be even easier to manage. Unlike many other breeds, there is no seasonal shedding with Yorkies. This means that the amount of hair you may find around the house should be minimal and pretty consistent no matter the time of year. 

Yorkies are completely undercoat-free, meaning they shed much less than other dogs. In fact, your Yorkie probably won’t shed any more frequently than you lose hairs from your head. Technically, Yorkies grow hair, not fur, but what does that mean?

What Is the Difference Between Hair and Fur?

While most other dog breeds have fur coats, Yorkies grow hair instead. As well as the fact a Yorkie’s hair doesn’t shed like fur, it also won’t fly around in the air the way fur does. If you’ve ever had a dog with fur that sheds seasonally, you know what it’s like to see fur flying around your house. And when it gets near your face and into your nose, your allergies really flare up. 

With a Yorkie, this won’t happen. A Yorkie’s hair grows the same way a human’s does, and individual strands can grow to long lengths. When they finally fall out for new hair to grow, they will usually stay in your dog’s coat until you groom him. If it does fall out, it will just end up on the ground or maybe on the sofa, but it’s just a few hairs instead of a pile of fur! 

Are Yorkie Mixes Hypoallergenic?

Mixed breed dogs have characteristics from both parents. So, if a Yorkie is mixed with another hypoallergenic dog, the offspring should be hypoallergenic. However, if a Yorkie is mixed with a non-hypoallergenic dog, the resulting puppies might not inherit the Yorkie’s hypoallergenic qualities. 

There is always a significant element of unpredictability when mixing breeds. In a single litter, some puppies may take more after the Yorkie parent while others are more like the non-Yorkie. 

An example of a popular Yorkie mix is the Yorkie Ton, which is a mix of the Yorkie with the Coton de Tulear. Like the Yorkshire Terrier, the Coton de Tulear is a hypoallergenic breed that doesn’t shed much. 

Grooming Your Yorkie

While the Yorkie’s hypoallergenic coat is convenient, its grooming needs are a lot more demanding. Proper grooming will cut down on your dog’s already minimal shedding and dander, and it’s essential for keeping your Yorkie hypoallergenic. 

Remember, this dog’s hair continues to grow, potentially becoming incredibly long. Not only that, a Yorkie coat will quickly get tangled up, and matting will soon develop. Regular and attentive grooming is an essential part of keeping a Yorkie happy and healthy. 

How you groom your Yorkie depends on whether you’ve given him a show cut or a puppy cut. Most Yorkie owners go with a puppy cut, as a show cut requires more grooming and maintenance. 

Brushing

Like with our own hair, you need to brush your Yorkie’s coat to remove loose hairs and ones that have already fallen out. It will also get rid of some of the dander, and it will prevent knotting and matting from becoming a problem.

Most Yorkie owners find that a bubble-tipped pin brush is the best kind for grooming. 

Brush your Yorkie frequently, ideally every day, so you avoid any tangles or matting developing. And make sure you’re always careful as you draw the brush through the dog’s coat, just in case there are any knots. You don’t want to hurt your pet or injure his skin. 

If you come across any knots or tangles, use some leave-in conditioner made especially for dogs. It’s essential this is formulated for pets, so don’t try to use anything else. In most cases, you should mix the leave-in conditioner with water to make it thinner. 

Wash Away the Dander

Yorkies create less dander than other breeds, but there will still be some. And that’s just one reason you should wash your Yorkie regularly. If you don’t, it may start to affect your allergies.

Use a shampoo formulated especially for dogs when bathing your Yorkshire Terrier. If your Yorkshire Terrier has a puppy cut, you probably only need to bathe him once every two weeks, or maybe even once a month. You will probably want to wash them bi-weekly or more often if you have allergies. 

Dander refers to your dog’s dead skin cells, and they often have oil attached. Additionally, saliva and even traces of urine might be in the dander. 

Final Thoughts – Are Yorkies Hypoallergenic Dogs? 

Yorkies are one of the best dogs for people with allergies because they’re low shedders and don’t have much dander. With hair instead of fur, Yorkies have their own unique grooming needs. 

While Yorkies are convenient for owners with allergies, they are quite a bit of work if you want to grow their hair long. Instead of that show cut, you should give your Yorkshire Terrier a puppy cut, which is a short haircut, so they are even less likely to cause allergy flare-ups.