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1. Maintain good health. Systemic health problems can adversely affect your Yorkshire\u2019s skin, which is his largest organ, and, in turn, his coat. In<\/a> some cases of generalized illness, hair growth is slowed or stopped as the body\u2019s resources are focused elsewhere. The hair enters a dormant phase in which it is more easily shed, which is one reason sick dogs tend to shed more. New hair may be slow to come, and when it does, the hair cuticle may be abnormal, resulting in a dull, dry coat. If your dog\u2019s coat suddenly becomes sparse or brittle, it may be a sign that a checkup is needed.<\/li>\n
2. Provide good nutrition. Hair is made up of about 95 percent protein. All told, if you added up how much hair grows from an average dog\u2019s follicles, it would amount to about 100 feet of hair a day! That hair, plus the constant replacement of skin cells, uses about 25 to 30 percent of a dog\u2019s daily protein requirement. If your dog\u2019s diet lacks protein, it\u2019s going to show up in poor hair growth and poor-quality hair that is rough, brittle, and easily broken. Hair also requires essential fatty acids, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and minerals such as zinc, among others. You can buy several supplements specially formulated to include nutrients helpful to coat growth. Overall, your best bet is to feed a well-balanced diet with fairly high protein that includes omega fatty acids and vitamins B, C, E, A, and K. If you change foods, keep an eye on your dog\u2019s coat and if it starts to look poor, find another food, or see your veterinarian.<\/li>\n
3. Eradicate parasites. Internal parasites can destroy all your efforts at good nutrition. External parasites can cause hair loss through itching that leads to scratching and chewing. Fleas can also cause fleabite dermatitis, in which the flea\u2019s saliva creates a widespread allergic reaction and itching. Mites can invade hair follicles and cause the hairs to fall out.<\/li>\n
4. Comb daily. Little snarls become big tangles, which become solid mats. It\u2019s almost impossible to remove mats without losing hair. It\u2019s especially important to comb after nature walks, or if your Yorkshire has a yard with lots of greenery, because small twigs and burrs tend to get hair wrapped around them, causing instant tangles. Use a pin brush or a wide-toothed comb. If you use a pin brush, don\u2019t use the type with little balls at the end of each pin, as these can pull the coat. Do not use a nylon, natural-bristle, or slicker brush. Mist the coat with coat conditioner before combing, and use a steel comb to gently work through the hair.<\/li>\n
5. Bathe often. As oil accumulates down the hair shaft, it attracts dirt, and the combination changes the hair texture so that it tends to cling, tangle, and mat. If you really want a show-dog coat, plan to bathe your dog at least once a week.<\/li>\n
6. Spot-bathe problem areas. Organic materials such as food, blood, and feces will rot, and if these materials are clinging to your dog\u2019s hair, they will rot the hair along with them. Other body products, such as saliva, urine, and eye discharge, may be acidic or contain enzymes that break down hair. Rather than bathe the entire dog, use a rinse-free shampoo to keep these areas clean, or do a quick spot-bath.<\/li>\n
7. Avoid excessive heat. If you\u2019re blow-drying, use the lowest heat setting possible. Better yet, invest in a forced-air dryer, which uses cool air blown at high speed to dry.<\/li>\n
8. Avoid abrasive surfaces. It makes sense that letting your Yorkshire run through thickets and thorns is a surefire way to destroy his coat, but you may not think about things inside your house. You really do have an excuse to use satin sheets; slick surfaces are the least harmful for long, delicate hair. Even carpeting can be damaging to Yorkshire coats.<\/li>\n
9. Use protective wraps. Wrap small sections of coat in wax or rice paper, fold it up, and band it. Wrapping keeps the coat from dragging on the ground or getting tangled.<\/li>\n
10. Don\u2019t leave clothes on. Don\u2019t leave collars, harnesses, or cute outfits on your dog more than necessary. They can rub against the hair and break it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Maintain good health. Systemic health problems can adversely affect your Yorkshire\u2019s skin, which is his largest organ, and, in turn, his coat. In some cases of generalized illness, hair growth is slowed or stopped as the body\u2019s resources are focused elsewhere. The hair enters a dormant phase in which it is more easily shed, … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n