Standard Schnauzer Yorkshire Terrier Grooming

The Standard Schnauzer-Yorkshire Terrier mix will generally require a good bit of grooming. These hybrids' coats can favor the Schnauzer's (medium-length and wiry) or the Yorkie's (long and silky)--but is often somewhere in between: medium to long and wavy. The coats won't shed too much, but will need regular brushing to avoid tangles.

Brush your Schnauzer-Yorkie 2-3 times per week with a pin brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you run across a tangle, try working it out with either your fingers or the end teeth of a greyhound comb (or both).

Bathing these hybrids is generally necessary every 6-8 weeks--unless, of course, the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is in order. When bathing a Standard Schnauzer-Yorkshire Terrier, be sure to use shampoo made for dogs, as the human kind has a different pH and can irritate the dog's skin. (If the dog's coat is more "Yorkie-esque," canine condition should be used as well.)

And lots of Yorkie-Schnauzer haircut styles look great on these hybrids. See Styling & Haircuts below for more info.

In addition to its coat, your Schnauzer-Yorkie mix will need maintenance in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week; clean the ears monthly; and trim the nails every 2-3 months.

Though owners can learn to perform all aspects of Schnauzer-Yorkie grooming themselves, many people rely on professional groomers for major tasks like bathing and haircuts. In any case, it's good to take the dog to a pro at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Standard Schnauzer-Yorkshire Terrier mix at home.

Plenty of Yorkie-Schnauzer cut styles are possible--and the cut will depend on whether the dog's coat resembles the Schnauzer's or the Yorkie's 'do. Most Schnauzer-Yorkie haircuts will need a touch-up trim every 2-3 months. And dogs with wirier Schnauzer-like coats can have them hand-stripped every few months to remove dead hairs.

Some popular Schnauzer-Yorkie grooming styles:

• Puppy Cut: A low-maintenance style. The entire coat is clipped short (to about two inches). Some like to leave the facial hair a bit longer. Can be done at home with some practice.
• Schnauzer Cut: Better for dogs with wiry coats. The body hair is clipped short (with the hair on the underbelly left in a longer "fringe"); the leg hair is rounded in a "reverse taper"; and the facial furnishings are long and full. Probably best done by a groomer.
• Teddy Bear Cut: Similar to a Puppy Cut--but the hair on the legs, face, and head are left longer, and carefully sculpted and rounded to make the dog resemble a stuffed animal. Can be done at home, but will definitely take some practice.