Shih Tzu Grooming Information

Shih Tzus are sweet-tempered little dogs that can be a lot of fun to have as pets. Due to their long, luxurious fur coats, however, Shih Tzus need to be groomed a lot to stay healthy and look pretty.

  1. Regular Grooming

    • A Shih Tzu's coat must be brushed at least every other day. Ideally, they should be brushed daily.

    Consequences

    • If a Shih Tzu is not groomed regularly and efficiently, the long hair will tangle and form knots and/or mats. Knots and mats are an easy home for a variety of parasites. If parasites live on the Shih Tzu's skin for too long, skin lesions will occur, causing the dog to be very uncomfortable.

    A Shih Tzu's Coat

    • A Shih Tzu is considered to have two coats. The outer coat is the one with long straight hair. Beneath it is the second coat that is short and wooly. Both need to be combed regularly.

    Style

    • After brushing, the groomer should make sure the outer coat falls evenly. The hair on top of the head is usually tied in a tight knot to keep it out of the dog's eyes. The outer coat may be cut shorter for easier maintenance.

    Tools

    • The tools necessary grooming a Shih Tzu are a brush for the coat, a comb for precision in tougher areas, scissors and nail clippers.