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Grooming a Shih Tzu
That beautiful coat is the first thing people fall for and the first thing new owners ask about. Here is what it takes, and it is less than you might think once you are in the habit.
Brushing, a little and often
A Shih Tzu coat grows continuously and it mats if it is left, so brushing is the whole secret. A few minutes a day with a pin brush, followed by a metal comb down to the skin behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar, keeps the coat soft and tangle free. Start in the first week your puppy is home, gently, with treats, and it becomes a quiet time you both enjoy.
A light spray of conditioner or water before brushing stops the hair breaking. Never brush a dry, matted coat; work a mat apart with your fingers and the end of the comb, or leave it for the groomer.
Baths and the everyday
A bath every two to three weeks with a gentle dog shampoo, rinsed very thoroughly, and dried properly so the coat does not mat as it dries. In between, the daily things: a soft damp cloth around the eyes each morning to keep the face clean and bright, a look in the ears once a week, and nails trimmed every few weeks.
Keep the hair above the eyes tied up in a topknot or trimmed short so it never irritates them. A small elastic and a bow is the classic look, and puppies get used to it quickly if you start early.
The puppy cut and the full coat
Most family Shih Tzus wear a puppy cut: the whole coat trimmed to an inch or two, with a rounded face. It is easy to brush, cool in summer and shows off the expression. The full, floor-length coat you see in the show ring is beautiful and it is also a daily commitment; most owners choose the puppy cut and keep the topknot.
In an Arizona summer a shorter cut is kinder, and it is what we would suggest for any warm climate.
How often the groomer
The first professional groom is around sixteen weeks, once the vaccinations are complete. After that, every six to eight weeks for the rest of the dog’s life, or you learn to clip at home, which plenty of owners do. A groom for a small dog is usually sixty to a hundred dollars depending on where you live, and daily brushing at home is what keeps it at the easy end.
Handle your puppy’s feet, ears and face every day from the start, and stand it on a table for a minute while you brush. A puppy that has been handled that way stands calmly for the groomer, and the whole thing is a pleasure rather than a battle.
A coat worth the care
Our puppies are about 8lb grown, so there is not a great deal of coat to keep up with, and a Shih Tzu that is brushed a little every day is one of the loveliest dogs to have in the house. The first weeks at home, what to have ready, and the puppies available now.