The Grooming of Shih-Tzus

The shih-tzu is a dog breed of Chinese descent, being the house pets of Chinese royals. The name, shih-tzu, is Chinese for lion. The dog has a double coat. The long overcoat requires regular grooming and trimming to prevent the fur from matting and the accumulating dirt. Comb and brush your pet three or four times a week, but bathe it less frequently.

Things You'll Need

  • Disentangling spray or conditioner
  • Metal comb
  • Slicker brush
  • Pin brush
  • Mat or towel
  • Dog shampoo
  • Nail cutter or file
  • Children's toothbrush
  • Canine toothpaste
  • Blunt tweezers or ear powder
  • Cotton swabs
  • Cotton balls
  • Stain remover
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray conditioner or untangling spray on your dog to make the combing and brushing easier. If you don't have any of these products, wet the coat with some water. Comb your dog to untangle any knots and remove debris, dead hairs and dust from the dog's coat.

    • 2

      Lift the overcoat and brush the dog's undercoat to spread the essential oils secreted by the skin. Use a slicker brush first. Brush the overcoat as well.

    • 3

      Bathe your shih-tzu in a sink, but place a mat or a towel underneath the pet to prevent slipping. Wet the entire coat of the dog, avoiding the eyes and the ears. Gently apply the shampoo and spread it over the coat. Rinse the shampoo out. Pat the dog dry.

    • 4

      Trim the shih-tzu's nails using a nail cutter or file the nails after the bath, when the nails are softer and easier to cut. Identify the quick of the nail, which is darker than the rest of the nail. Avoid cutting into the quick. If you cut into the quick this causes bleeding and a lot of pain in your pet, because the quick contains a lot of nerve endings.

    • 5

      Brush your shih-tzu's teeth using a children's toothbrush to remove plaque and reduce tartar accumulation. Use only toothpaste that is formulated for canines, which has meat or fish flavor. Toothpaste for humans is not suitable for pets.

    • 6

      Trim the hair that grows in the ears with blunt tweezers or pluck out the hair using ear powder. This prevents ear infections. Clean your pet's ears using cotton swabs. Clean only the external part of the ear and avoid introducing the cotton swabs into the ear canal to prevent hurting the ear drum.

    • 7

      Remove tear stains using cotton balls and a stain remover.

    • 8

      Trim the hair on the feet, around the anus and the bottom of the coat to facilitate movement and prevent the accumulation of dirt in the dog's coat. Use a pair of scissors.