How to Groom a Zuchon

A zuchon is a mix between a shih tzu and a bichon frise. Zuchons, also known as shichons, are small dogs with long hair. These dogs do not shed, but because they are long-haired, they require quite a bit of grooming to maintain their appearance.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Slicker brush
  • Scissors
  • Nail clipper
  • Trimmer
  • Mild dog shampoo
  • Dog conditioner
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your zuchon once a day to keep its fur from developing tangles and mats. If the dog has curly fur, use a slicker brush. Otherwise, a regular dog brush is fine. Concentrate on the tail region, because the tail can develop tangles and mats quite easily. Trim the hair around the rectal region using scissors, because feces can cause mats and lead to fecal impaction.

    • 2

      Clean the dog's eyes regularly and clip the hair growing around the eyes using a trimmer. This will prevent the hair from entering the eyes and causing tearing. Moisten the hair around the eyes with water and brush it with a soft toothbrush every day.

    • 3

      Check the ears of your zuchon. If they look dirty, use a dog ear cleaning solution to clean the inside of the ears. Use a cotton swab for cleaning, but do not allow it to enter the ear canal. If you like, you can pull out the hair growing in the ears. Use a trimmer to trim the hair around the ears to facilitate air movement. This will keep the ears dry and prevent infections.

    • 4

      Trim the nails using a nail clipper. Trim just the tips off. Don't forget to trim the nails of the dew claws, because they can get ingrown.

    • 5

      Use blunt scissors to trim the fur growing between the pads of the paws. Hair growing between the pads is not just uncomfortable for the dog, it can result in mats and collect dirt.

    • 6

      Bathe your zuchon once a month to keep its coat clean and shiny. Use a mild dog shampoo and conditioner. Avoid bathing the dog too often, unless dirty, because this can dry out the skin. Rinse out the shampoo before applying conditioner. Use a towel to remove as much water as possible and then blow dry the fur.