The Shorkie, a cross between the Chinese Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire terrier, has long soft fur that frames her little face and creates a plume at the end of her perky tail. Your pristine pooch won’t shed much, but keeping her fashionably fab will require daily grooming.
At-Home Grooming Maintenance
Step 1
Brush your Shorkie's naturally long fur once or twice a day with a small slicker brush to keep it snarl-free. Use gentle strokes, starting at the tips of her fur and working your way up.
Step 2
Spritz the slicker brush lightly with a detangling spray to make daily grooming easier. Antistatic grooming sprays are available from groomers and pet supply stores.
Step 3
Brush the long fur between and over the eyes upward, secure it with a soft band and affix a tiny bow to complete the delightful 'do. You can do this at home, but ask your groomer for instructions before you try it.
Step 4
Bathe your Shorkie no more than once a month unless she's dirty. Use a conditioning shampoo made for dogs; human shampoos are too harsh and can irritate her sensitive skin. Choose a no-tears dog shampoo for washing her facial fur.
Step 5
Rinse thoroughly after shampooing and apply a leave-in conditioner to reduce tangles. Even a tiny bit of residual shampoo left in her fur can cause dryness and itching.
Step 6
Snuggle her in a warm absorbent towel to remove most of the moisture and use a dog dryer and a rounded-bristle brush to dry and detangle her fur. Work with care, tugging on snarls hurts.
Step 7
Wipe the fur around your Shorkie's eyes daily with hypoallergenic dog eye wipes to prevent tearstains. Tearing is common in this breed.
Step 8
Schedule professional grooming appointments every six to eight weeks for nail clipping, ear-hair plucking and coat-trimming, if desired.
References
- Howell Book of Dogs – The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties; Liz Palika
- Great Dog Site: Shorkie Information
Tips
- If your Shorkie plays outdoors frequently, regular coat trimmings will reduce the likelihood of picking up weeds and seeds, which can quickly lead to matted fur.
- Ask your groomer for a “puppy cut” that features all-over trimming of the fur to 1 to 2 inches long, making it more manageable.
- Shorkies look delightful sporting “Westie cuts” that feature short body fur but longer facial hair.
Writer Bio
Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer specializing in construction writing. She also enjoys writing business and finance, food and drink and pet-related articles. Her education includes marketing and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.