Shih Tzu Grooming Tips

Daily Brushing

• Daily brushing not only prevents and removes knots and tangles, but distributes oil within your shih tzu's skin while helping to eliminate dander. Pin and slicker brushes are effective for use on the dog's body, tail and head. Brush these areas once a day to avoid knots. DoggieBowTies.com suggests you use a fine-toothed steel comb on your shih tzu's face daily to remove eye matter and to keep the facial hair knot-free.

Bathing

• How often you bathe your shih tzu depends on your dog. For instance, if your pooch likes to run through mud and get dirty, you will need to bathe it more often than a shih tzu that only goes outside to eliminate. The American Shih Tzu Club suggests bathing non-showing shih tzus about every three weeks. Bathing your shih tzu too often will remove the oils in its skin that are essential for a healthy, sheen coat, leaving it with dry skin and hair.

  Use an all-natural shampoo that is free of fragrance to avoid skin irritation. If your shih tzu has a lot of white in its coat, consider using a bluing shampoo that will keep the color bright. Dry your shih tzu's hair immediately after the bath with a blow dryer to prevent tangles. Spraying a leave-in conditioner on your shih tzu's coat after the bath will also add moisture to the skin and coat.

Eliminating Facial Staining

• Many shih tzus experience the unsightly condition of tear staining. Tear stains begin under the eyes and often trail down the shih tzu's face. The stains are dark-colored and are often moist and foul-smelling. Tear staining is typically caused by genetics or eye irritation. Keep the hair short around your shih's eyes to prevent any contact that can result in irritation and drainage. Wipe your shih tzu's eyes once daily with warm water and cotton or a commercial product to prevent the stains.

  Water and saliva can also stain your shih tzu's moustache and facial hair. To remove the staining, DoggieBowTies.com suggests applying corn starch to your shih's facial hair after it is damp. Once the hair is dry, comb it out thoroughly, taking care to keep the corn starch out of the dog's eyes and nose. Perform this task whenever staining occurs. The most important aspect of preventing facial staining is to keep the hair dry. Wipe your shih tzu's hair and mouth after it eats and drinks to prevent wet fur.

Hair in Ears

• Long-haired dogs such as the shih tzu often have large amounts of hair in their ears. This hair can block air from entering the ear canal, which can cause infection. Therefore, it is essential to remove this hair to maintain healthy ears. Lay your shih on its side and lift the ear flap back so that the canal is exposed. Use a hemostat--a surgical tool that is designed to tightly grasp onto objects--to collect the hair that is in the ear, being careful not to grab onto the skin. Steadily pull the hair out with the hemostat, removing a few hairs at a time.

  If your shih tzu seems to be in pain, give it a few breaks in between removing the hair or reduce the amount of hair you pull out at one time. If you feel uncomfortable performing this procedure, ask your groomer or veterinarian to complete the task for you.