Checkups and Beauty Appointments

Are you considering adopting a Yorkie puppy?  Then keep reading.

Vet Bills
One of the biggest expenses involved in taking care of a puppy is vet bills.  We've had to take Jack in for his shots.  He's gotten sick once since we've had him and we ended up taking him to the vet and getting him some antibiotics for a stomach bug.  We also had to get Jack neutered when he turned six months old. 

Your vet will help you get a schedule down to ensure that you get your puppy all the right vaccinations, but you've also got to make sure that you have a little emergency fund in case he gets sick or hurt.  Yorkie puppies are super bold, so they often think they're stronger than they are.  There have been a few instances where Jack has climbed to the very top cushion of the sofa and jumped off bravely and we've been afraid that he might snap a little leg if he isn't careful. 

If you don't think you can afford the vet bills, then you probably aren't ready to get a puppy. 

(I didn't take the picture to your left, but it seemed to fit.)

Grooming
If you're getting a Yorkie, be ready to fork over some money for a groomer unless you're good at grooming dogs.  Yorkies have hair that is similar to humans' because it's without an under layer.  It can easily get matted or greasy.  It also grows pretty fast.  We take Jack to a groomer to be trimmed generally about twice a month, but we like his fur to stay short. 

When Jack was a little puppy, we couldn't have his body trimmed because he still had his puppy coat.  The groomer told us that if you cut a Yorkie's baby coat, there's a chance it might never grow back or even fall out.  Now we have Jack's fur cut short each time he goes to the groomer.  I ask for the "puppy cut," which is basically an adult replica of a Yorkie puppy's hair length.  I'm not a big fan of the long and flowing locks and the pretty bows, at least not for my manly Jack. ;) 

Did you know that all Yorkies look basically the same when they're little puppies?  They all have fluffy bear-like faces and fur that is dark and reddish brown.  As they get older, their puppy coats will fall out and change color and that's when they'll start to look different.  It's difficult to know what colors you're going to get when you adopt your Yorkie as a puppy.  He could be blue (dark gray) or gold or silver or beige.  It really depends on his parents.  I enjoy the surprise. 

Jack's fur does tend to get greasy, just like a human's, so we usually bathe him once or twice a week.  Since Jack is currently three and a half pounds and nearly full grown, a few inches of water in the sink will be good enough for him.  I usually shower with Jack every four or five days.  He enjoys biting at the water and trying to hide from the spray. 

Because you'll need to bathe your Yorkie fairly often, try to get a moisturizing shampoo or a conditioner.  Also, try to brush your Yorkie before you give him a shower because the water can cause tangles to turn into matts.  And if your puppy gets matts, he'll have to be shaved.  Yikes, right?

Be sure to check out Jack's YouTube channel called JacktheDorkyYorkie.   

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2 Comments

  1. Thanks for this :D How much do vet and grooming bills usually come to? I really want a yorkie but if I can't afford to care for him/her properly then it would be mean to get one!

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