Maxwell Gumdrop

[Candy5198]

This is the second time I try to post here.

We got our Max in December the day he turned 6 weeks. He is now 13 weeks and I still have soo many questions about this little bugger.
Does anyone have an idea when his coat will change. The other day while brushing him (which is done daily) He starting losing matts of fur. Is this normal for the puppy coat to fall out or am I just doing something wrong. I am sort of hoping he stays all cottony and soft so I won't be dissapointed if he never gets the correct coat.
Also is his fur supposed to turn gray? he is starting to look like a little old man with a bald spot... lol
His fur also seems very long. Do I need to get him groomed or can it wait a while longer. I hate to cut his cute puppy fur if I don't have to.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[navillusc]

What a cute baby he is! Hi, and welcome. If he is turning grey, his color is already changing...and changing color is normal. He may also be losing his puppy coat...not sure if it should come out in clumps because I have not gotten a purebred Yorkie as a puppy...only a Yorkie-Poo and his hair was silky Yorkie-type hair but did not fall out in clumps. Brody and Mia I got as 14 and 17 month olds, respectively, but Brody did lose his topknot all at once when the darker tan started coming in after the platinum blond...he still had some silver as well.

As far as when to start having him trimmed, I would think that would be your choice. Getting him used to it early might be a good idea. If his puppy coat is changing...which is likely...and he is matting badly, maybe you want to help him out with a trim to minimize his discomfort by you having to brush out tangles.

I am sure whatever you decide to do will be fine...he will grow out again and you can change his coat style if you want. If he stays cottony, you will probably want to have him 'styled' to minimize matting...I understand that is a drawback to the 'cottony' coat...I have no experience with that coat...my kids are silky.

[Candy5198]

I knew that yorkies change colors, its the way its changing that was the issue. The tips of his fur mainly on his head are black and the roots are grey. Which makes it even stranger if the puppy coat is supposed to fall out for the silky coat to grow in. Stranger still when I do brush him he doesn't really seem to have tangles. I've just been keeping at it on account of getting him accustomed to it. So when half his fur came out in clumps it was quite shocking. He didn't seem to even notice but i did!
I plan on keeping him short one coat or the other. I just love the way he looks right now and really wish i could freeze him. I see alot of photos of shaved and taped ears and I couldn't really determine if it is neccessary or preference. I am assuming based on your reply that it is preference and no harm will be done if I just hang on to all his baby curls ;o).
I have been reading all over and can't figure out how the whole change is supposed to go... lol I guess each puppy is a suprise process.

[KendraE]

Yorkies usually get their colors when they are a bit older... I am concerned about his hair falling out in "clumps".... Typically, you will notice a color change at the roots....

Welcome to Yt! Your baby is a cutie!!!

[Adamsfly]

When do they lose their baby fur?

[Candy5198]

Originally Posted by KendraE

Yorkies usually get their colors when they are a bit older... I am concerned about his hair falling out in "clumps".... Typically, you will notice a color change at the roots....

Welcome to Yt! Your baby is a cutie!!!

Any ideas as to why his fur would suddenly be matting and coming out? are they supposed to lose "baby fur" as admsfly put it?

[nanahas3]

Is the fur coming out by itself or when your brush it? If it is not brushed at least once a day it will mat and then those mats will come out in the brush as clumps. With my two their baby hair grew out and became adult hair and just kept trimming the ends until the baby hair was gone. Laddy's hair broke coat on his head about the same age as yours with the gray roots. I had posts just like yours back then . I thought there was something wrong with him lol. If it is coming out in clumps without being brushed or you see bald areas I would get him to the vet for skin scrapings.

[nanahas3]

This is a picture of Laddy at 16 weeks.

[Candy5198]

when he gets brushed. I guess its matts. I've never had a long hair dog before so I really don't know what I'm doing. Just was strange that it only happened that one day and not again... He doesn't have bald spots to the contrary he is ultra furry and fluffy. I will mention it to the vet at his next check up though. Can't hurt.

[nanahas3]

If its just when you brush him it is absolutely normal . It is so nice to see you are a concerned mama though . When they scratch or roll in things the coat will get small mats that brush out like that.

[MandiesMom]

Just make sure to wet/mist the hair when you brush..don't brush him dry. He is changing colors and will continue to do so for quite some time. As mentioned before, the color changes start at the roots, so that is normal.

If his hair is coming out in clumps that concern you, I would speak to a vet. Just to make sure he's not having some sort of allergy or dermatology issue.

He's cute as a button

[chestermama]

chester was on gray top at 6- 7 months now at almost 10.5 he is tan on face and legs and salt and pepper on the body

[Ldyrev1]

Your little guy is adorable! Welcome to YT! I'm afraid I don't have any advice but it looks like you've already got tons. Just wanted to say welcome!!!