How often should I bathe a Yorkshire Terrier?

Most Yorkies do well with a bath every few weeks rather than weekly, since over-bathing can dry out their fine coat. Regular brushing between baths matters more for coat condition than how often they are washed.

What causes tear staining in Yorkies?

It relates to the breed's coat colour and how their tear ducts drain, and is common even in healthy Yorkies. Regular gentle cleaning helps manage the visible staining, but see your vet if it becomes heavy, sudden, or comes with redness or discomfort.

Can I use human shampoo on my Yorkie?

No, a dog's skin has a different pH to human skin, and human shampoo can be irritating or drying even if it seems gentle. Always use a shampoo formulated for dogs, ideally one suited to fine or silky coats for a Yorkie specifically.

Why does my Yorkie's coat tangle so easily after a bath?

Fine, silky hair like a Yorkie's tangles more readily when wet, especially without a moisturising shampoo and conditioner suited to the coat type. Brushing gently while the coat is still damp, using a product designed to reduce friction, helps prevent this.

Best shampoo for a Yorkshire Terrier

A Yorkshire Terrier's coat is fine, silky and closer in texture to human hair than to the dense double coat most breeds carry, which changes what it needs from a shampoo. A gentle, moisturising formula suits this coat type far better than a heavy degreasing shampoo made for oilier double coats, and many Yorkies also benefit from a shampoo that is safe to use near the eyes, given how common tear staining is in the breed.

Why a Yorkie's coat needs a different approach

Because a Yorkshire Terrier's coat lacks the dense undercoat most breeds have, it does not carry the same build-up of oil and loose fur that a heavier-coated dog does. A strong degreasing shampoo designed for that kind of coat can leave a Yorkie's finer hair dry, dull and prone to tangling rather than clean and soft.

A moisturising shampoo formulated for fine or silky coats helps keep the hair manageable between grooms and reduces the friction that leads to tangles and mats, particularly around the ears, legs and underside where a Yorkie's coat tends to knot first.

Dealing with tear staining

Tear staining — a reddish-brown discolouration below the eyes — is common in Yorkies partly because of their coat colour and partly because of how their tear ducts drain. Regular gentle cleaning around the eyes with a product designed for the area, alongside a shampoo that does not sting if it gets close to the eyes, helps manage the visible staining without irritating sensitive skin.

If tear staining is heavy, persistent, or accompanied by redness, discharge or your dog seeming uncomfortable, that is worth mentioning to your vet, since it can occasionally point to something beyond the ordinary cosmetic staining most Yorkies show to some degree.

What to look for, and what to avoid

Look for a shampoo described as gentle, moisturising or suited to fine and silky coats, and ideally one marketed as tear-stain safe or suitable for use near the face if you plan to wash your dog's head area. A good conditioning brush afterwards, used while the coat is still slightly damp, makes a real difference to detangling a Yorkie's fine hair.

Avoid anything marketed specifically as a heavy-duty degreasing or odour-control shampoo unless your dog has a specific reason to need one, since these are formulated for a different coat type and can be unnecessarily harsh on a Yorkie's finer hair.

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

How often should I bathe a Yorkshire Terrier?: Most Yorkies do well with a bath every few weeks rather than weekly, since over-bathing can dry out their fine coat. Regular brushing between baths matters more for coat condition than how often they are washed.
What causes tear staining in Yorkies?: It relates to the breed's coat colour and how their tear ducts drain, and is common even in healthy Yorkies. Regular gentle cleaning helps manage the visible staining, but see your vet if it becomes heavy, sudden, or comes with redness or discomfort.
Can I use human shampoo on my Yorkie?: No, a dog's skin has a different pH to human skin, and human shampoo can be irritating or drying even if it seems gentle. Always use a shampoo formulated for dogs, ideally one suited to fine or silky coats for a Yorkie specifically.
Why does my Yorkie's coat tangle so easily after a bath?: Fine, silky hair like a Yorkie's tangles more readily when wet, especially without a moisturising shampoo and conditioner suited to the coat type. Brushing gently while the coat is still damp, using a product designed to reduce friction, helps prevent this.

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.