Shih Tzu Guide

Shih Tzu Grooming: The Routine That Keeps the Coat Healthy

Grooming a Shih Tzu is a habit more than a skill. The coat is a long, silky top layer over a fleecy undercoat, and it tangles if it is ignored for even a few days. Ten minutes of brushing most days beats a long, painful session once a month.

This page is the routine: brushing, mats, baths, eyes, ears, nails, teeth and the top knot, plus the supplies to buy. If you want to choose a cut, that is a separate topic, covered in the Shih Tzu haircut styles guide.

How do you groom a Shih Tzu at home?

Think of the routine in layers, from daily to occasional:

Most days: brush and comb the coat, check the eyes, comb the face and top knot.
Weekly: look inside the ears, check the paws and the hair around the rear end, brush the teeth if you are not doing it daily.
Every few weeks: bath, dry, trim the nails and tidy the face.
Every month or two: a visit to a groomer, or a full home trim if you have the confidence and the tools.

The AKC says a long coat needs daily brushing, while VCA suggests brushing and combing at least every other day. Either way, the point is the same: never let a long coat go a week untouched.

What is line brushing and how do you do it?

Line brushing means parting the coat in thin layers so the brush reaches the skin, not just the surface. A coat can look smooth on top and be solid felt underneath, and a quick pass over the outside will never find it.

Here is how I would teach a new owner:

Lay the dog on its side on a towel on a table or your lap. A puppy learns to enjoy this when it is calm and brief.
Mist the coat lightly with water or a conditioning spray. Brushing dry hair breaks it.
Hold the top layer up with one hand. Brush the section beneath it from the skin outward.
Drop that layer, lift the next one up, and repeat until you have worked up the whole side.
Finish with a wide-toothed metal comb. If the comb catches anywhere, go back over that spot.

Do the legs, the chest, behind the ears, under the arms and the belly with equal care. The AKC points out that brushing in layers is the way to reach the skin.

How do you get mats out of a Shih Tzu's coat?

Mats collect where hair rubs: behind the ears, under the collar or harness, in the armpits, between the back legs and on the feet. Catch them early and they are a minor chore.

Never bathe a matted dog. Water tightens a mat into something harder to pull apart.
Work a little detangling spray or conditioner into the knot, hold the hair at the skin so you do not tug the skin, and pick the knot apart from its outer edge with your fingers or the end of a comb.
Take it in short sessions. A dog that is stressed will not hold still.
If a mat is tight against the skin, or the coat is felted over a large area, let a groomer clip it out. Cutting into a mat with scissors can slice skin that you cannot see.

Keeping a shorter trim is a perfectly good solution for a busy household. The groomer or the haircut guide can help you choose.

How often should you bathe a Shih Tzu?

Advice varies, which tells you there is no single right answer. The AKC suggests about every three to four weeks to keep the coat clean. Others suggest weekly baths for coats that get dirty. A dog that plays in the yard needs more baths than a lap dog in a short trim.

Whatever your schedule, the order matters more than the frequency:

Brush and comb out the coat first, so there are no mats to set.
Use a dog shampoo, followed by a conditioner, and rinse until the water runs clear. Leftover product irritates skin.
Squeeze the coat gently with a towel. Do not rub, which tangles it.
Dry fully with a dryer on a warm, not hot, setting while you brush. A coat left damp can cause skin trouble, and a damp thick coat will mat as it dries.

VCA notes that a wet full coat gets heavy, which is one reason swimming deserves supervision.

How do you clean a Shih Tzu's eyes and deal with tear stains?

Shih Tzus have large, prominent eyes, and facial hair can poke them. VCA notes that stray hairs and eyelashes can irritate the eye, so keep the hair around the eyes managed. The PDSA recommends wiping away discharge gently to prevent staining of the coat.

Wipe the corners each day with a soft, damp cloth or a pad made for dogs. Always wipe away from the eye.
Comb the hair away from the eyes, or tie it up in the top knot.
Keep the hair around the eyes short enough that it cannot rub the surface.

Reddish-brown staining below the eyes is common in light-coated dogs. A sudden increase, squinting, redness or a cloudy surface is not a grooming problem, it is a reason to see a vet quickly, because Shih Tzus are prone to eye injuries such as corneal ulcers.

How do you care for a Shih Tzu's ears, nails and teeth?

Ears. The ear flaps hang down and the ear canal gets little air. VCA advises checking the ears weekly. Look for redness, a bad smell, dark debris or head shaking. Ear disorders were among the more common problems in the 2024 VetCompass study of Shih Tzus, at 5.5% of the dogs sampled (more in the health problems guide). Clean only as your vet has shown you, and do not push anything deep into the canal.

Nails. Trim about every three to four weeks, or whenever you hear clicking on the floor. Take off small pieces, and have styptic powder close in case you nick the quick. Leave the first trim to a groomer or vet if you are nervous.

Teeth. Periodontal disease was the most common single disorder in that same study, at 9.5%. Brushing with a dog toothpaste every day is the best prevention VCA mentions. Start slowly with a finger brush and a taste of the paste while the dog is still a puppy.

How do you care for the top knot and the face?

The top knot is the little fountain of hair on top of the head. The AKC says it helps protect the eyes, and that it should be taken down, combed and put back up each day. Use a small, soft elastic or a bow clip that does not pull. Never use a rubber band that snags the hair.

The mustache and beard also need a daily comb, since food and water collect there. Wipe the muzzle after meals. The PDSA also suggests trimming hair around the mouth and nose now and then and keeping that area clean to prevent sore skin.

Check the hair around the rear end too. VCA says to watch it for hygiene problems, and a short sanitary trim makes this easy.

What grooming supplies does a Shih Tzu need?

You do not need a shelf of products. This short list covers the routine above:

A pin brush with flexible pins, and a metal comb with both wide and fine teeth.
A slicker brush for fine work on legs and feathering.
Dog shampoo, conditioner and a detangling spray.
A dog nail clipper or grinder, with styptic powder.
A dog toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste. Human toothpaste is not safe to swallow.
Small elastics or clips for the top knot, and blunt-tipped scissors for the face.
A dryer with a warm setting, towels, and a non-slip mat for the table.
Soft cloths or pads for the eye corners.

Start with the brush, comb and nail clipper, and add the rest as you need them.

How often should a Shih Tzu see a groomer?

For a dog in a short trim, about every four to six weeks is the interval the AKC gives for a puppy clip. A dog kept in a long coat might go to a groomer less often if you do the daily brushing yourself, and the PDSA says clipping about every six to eight weeks is typical for pet dogs. Lean toward more often if the coat mats quickly.

Prices vary by region and by the dog's condition. Mobile groomers often cost more. Extra charges for matting are common. I would rather you pay for a trim than let a coat mat, so book the next visit before you leave the salon.

The coat can change as a puppy grows. The AKC notes that many Shih Tzu coats change at around 10 to 12 months, so a new owner should expect the routine to need adjusting once. A well kept coat is part of a long, comfortable life, as the Shih Tzu lifespan guide explains, and the hypoallergenic guide covers shedding and allergies.

If you are still choosing a puppy, the available puppies are listed with their profiles. Families at Royal Silk Shih Tzus can write to me by email for help for the life of the dog, including questions about coat care, through the contact page.

Quick Answers

Do Shih Tzus need a haircut, or can the coat stay long?

A long coat is possible, but it needs daily brushing and regular baths. A shorter cut is easier for many households, and the options are in the haircut guide.

Can I groom my Shih Tzu puppy at home?

Yes, and it is a good idea to begin early with short, gentle brushing sessions so the puppy learns to enjoy it. Keep nail trims and baths calm and brief.

Is it safe to use human shampoo on a Shih Tzu?

Dog shampoo is the better choice, because skin chemistry differs from ours. Ask your vet if your dog has skin allergies, since a medicated shampoo may be needed.

Why does my Shih Tzu hate being brushed?

Often it is because tugging at tangles hurts. Mist the coat first, use a gentle brush, work in short sessions and reward calm behavior with treats.

Should I trim the hair between the paw pads?

Hair that grows long between the pads can mat and make floors slippery, so a small trim is common. A groomer can show you how to do it safely.

How do I know if my Shih Tzu has a skin problem under the coat?

Watch for scratching, redness, flaky patches, hot spots or a bad smell. Regular line brushing lets you see the skin, and a vet can look into anything that does not clear up.