I trim my Yorkies rather short through the summer months. I take them out to Hunt along the Bayou which runs close to us. They jump in to catch Frogs or Snakes, and it's so easy to rinse them off when we get home. Then, about September, allow their coats to start to grow out for the winter. They go to the Groomer about 3x year. They really feel frisky when they get their first short clip of the year.