What brush is best for a long-coated Yorkie?

A soft slicker brush with fine, flexible pins, followed by a fine-toothed metal comb to catch any remaining tangles. Work through the coat in sections, checking behind the ears, under the arms and around the collar area, where mats tend to form first.

Do Yorkies in a puppy cut still need regular brushing?

Yes, though less than a long coat needs — two or three times a week with a simple bristle or soft pin brush is usually enough to keep a shorter cut tidy and free of the early tangles that can still form even on a trimmed coat.

Why does my Yorkie's coat mat so easily?

Yorkshire Terrier coats grow continuously like hair rather than shedding seasonally, which means loose or tangled strands stay in the coat rather than falling out. Without regular brushing, those tangles tighten into mats surprisingly quickly, especially behind the ears and under the legs.

Should I cut out a mat myself or see a groomer?

A small, loose tangle can often be worked out gently with a comb, but a mat that has tightened close to the skin is usually better clipped out by a professional groomer. Pulling at a tight mat can be uncomfortable for a small dog and risks nicking the skin.

Best brush for a Yorkshire Terrier

The best brush for a Yorkshire Terrier depends mainly on how their coat is kept: a fine slicker or pin brush for a long, silky coat, or a simple bristle brush for a shorter puppy-cut trim. Yorkies have hair rather than a shedding double coat, which means it keeps growing and needs regular brushing to prevent matting rather than to manage shed hair.

Why a Yorkie's coat needs a different approach

Unlike breeds with a seasonal shedding coat, a Yorkshire Terrier's coat grows continuously and behaves more like human hair. That means matting, not shedding, is the main coat problem to manage, and it can happen surprisingly quickly if brushing is skipped for even a few days on a long coat.

How the coat is kept changes what tool actually helps. A long, flowing show-style coat needs a fine, gentle brush and comb used carefully through the full length; a shorter, practical puppy cut needs far less — often just a quick weekly brush to keep it tidy.

Choosing the right brush

For a long coat, a soft slicker brush with fine, flexible pins works through the length without pulling, followed by a fine-toothed metal comb to check for any tangles the brush missed, particularly behind the ears, under the arms and around the collar area where mats form first.

For a shorter puppy-cut Yorkie, a simple bristle brush or a softer pin brush is usually enough to keep the coat neat between grooming appointments, without needing the same careful, section-by-section approach a long coat demands.

How often to brush, and what to watch for

A long-coated Yorkie generally needs brushing daily or every other day to stay mat-free, while a shorter puppy cut can often get away with two or three times a week. Either way, checking behind the ears and under the legs each time catches early tangles before they tighten into a proper mat.

If a mat has already formed and tightened close to the skin, it is often kinder to have it carefully clipped out by a groomer than to pull it apart at home, which can be uncomfortable and stressful for a small dog.

What we stock for this breed

Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.

Electric Pet Grooming Clipper

A quiet, rechargeable electric clipper for trimming dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets at home. Low-noise and low-vibration with an adjustable blade for tidy, stress-free grooming around the body and paws.

From£11.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb

A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.

From£8.99

Pet Deshedding Grooming Mitt

A soft mesh grooming mitt you wear on one hand to lift loose fur while stroking your pet, turning shedding control into a soothing massage. Suits dogs and cats with any coat length.

From£7.99

Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

A skin-friendly slicker brush that gently lifts loose fur and undercoat from dogs, cats and rabbits. The angled pins glide through the coat while a one-click button releases the collected hair for easy cleaning. Soft non-slip handle.

£9.99

Double-Sided Deshedding & Flea Comb

A two-sided steel comb with coarse deshedding teeth on one side and fine flea-comb teeth on the other. Lifts loose fur and catches fleas to keep your cat or dog's coat clean and healthy.

£13.99

Steam Spray Detangling Grooming Brush

A rechargeable steam grooming brush with a fine mist that lifts loose fur and eases tangles while you brush. Gentle on the skin and cuts down flyaway hair, no bath needed. Chick design.

£12.99

Fast UK delivery

Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades

High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.

From£37.99

Double-Sided Undercoat Rake

A twin-bladed rake that removes mats and tangles on one side and reduces shedding on the other. The non-slip ergonomic handle suits cats and dogs with thick or long coats.

£23.99

Silicone Pet Bath & Massage Brush

Soft silicone bristles work shampoo into a rich lather while gently massaging your pet and lifting loose hair at bath time. A handy strap keeps the brush secure across the back of your hand.

£7.99

Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush

A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.

£25.99

Wooden Pet Deshedding Grooming Brush

An ergonomic wooden grooming brush with a fine-toothed edge that loosens and lifts away dead and shedding fur. The smooth contoured handle sits comfortably in the hand for quick, gentle daily de-shedding.

£14.99

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Common questions

What brush is best for a long-coated Yorkie?: A soft slicker brush with fine, flexible pins, followed by a fine-toothed metal comb to catch any remaining tangles. Work through the coat in sections, checking behind the ears, under the arms and around the collar area, where mats tend to form first.
Do Yorkies in a puppy cut still need regular brushing?: Yes, though less than a long coat needs — two or three times a week with a simple bristle or soft pin brush is usually enough to keep a shorter cut tidy and free of the early tangles that can still form even on a trimmed coat.
Why does my Yorkie's coat mat so easily?: Yorkshire Terrier coats grow continuously like hair rather than shedding seasonally, which means loose or tangled strands stay in the coat rather than falling out. Without regular brushing, those tangles tighten into mats surprisingly quickly, especially behind the ears and under the legs.
Should I cut out a mat myself or see a groomer?: A small, loose tangle can often be worked out gently with a comb, but a mat that has tightened close to the skin is usually better clipped out by a professional groomer. Pulling at a tight mat can be uncomfortable for a small dog and risks nicking the skin.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.