Shih
Tzus are small dogs with long, flowing coats that require a
great deal of care. Though many family pets are kept in short
coats all year, those that are not clipped must be groomed
frequently, to ensure that their hair doesn’t mat, and care
must be taken to keep it out of their mouths and eyes. It’s
best to get Shih Tzu puppies used to grooming from an early
age, since they need to be brushed frequently throughout their
lives. According to the expert groomers at the Shih Tzu Club,
these dogs should never have their long coats groomed dry, but
should always be sprayed with an appropriate coat conditioner
when they are brushed.
Head
The Shih Tzu’s long coat requires frequent brushing to keep it
clean and tangle-free. If your dog has a topknot, start at the
top of the dog’s head, undoing the topknot before brushing.
Using a combination of a bristle brush and a comb, gently comb
out the hair on the top of the head, paying particular
attention to the ears, where mats tend to form. When all the
hair is smooth, carefully use scissors to keep stray bits of
hair from hanging in your Shih Tzu’s eyes. Also shorten the
hair around the dog’s mouth, since Shih Tzus that have long
hair in this area end up with faces that are constantly dirty,
and the hair gets in their mouths when they eat and drink.
Top Knot
The owners of Shih Tzus with long, flowing hair typically
gather their pets’ hair into a top knot as part of the grooming
process. This lets the dogs keep their long hair, but holds it
back out of their faces. There are many variations on the top
knot, allowing you to get as fancy as you wish, and some owners
go so far as to use French braids or other fancy styles as a
way of keeping the hair out of their dogs’ faces. For most
people, though, a simple top knot works well. Carefully gather
all of the hair growing from the top of the dog’s head and
bring it together on top, then hold it together with a rubber
band, just like a human’s ponytail. Make sure not to pull the
hair too tightly, since that can hurt your dog.
Eyes
Shih Tzus may develop discolored areas around their eyes from
normal eye discharge. The best way to prevent this is to
develop a daily grooming ritual for your Shih Tzu, wiping
gently around the eyes with a damp cloth. If the fur becomes
stained and the color won’t wipe off, the discolorations can be
removed with an over-the-counter oral preparation or commercial
tear-stain treatment applied to the affected areas. Persistent
red or brown stains may be a sign of a red yeast infection or
other problem and require veterinary attention. If you choose
to try one of the many home remedies that some people insist
will work, check with your veterinarian first, since some of
these do no good and others can even be harmful to your dog.
Body
Use a comb and bristle brush to work through your Shih Tzu’s
entire coat, including legs and feet, removing any mats or
tangles that you find. If you encounter any mats, gently work
them out with your fingers and the bristles on the brush. While
brushing, pay particular attention to the areas where the dog’s
legs join the body, around the neck, and on the chest. Divide
the coat as you go, so that you are combing right down to the
skin. Also check the hair in the tail area for cleanliness, and
if feces is sticking to the hair it should be carefully
trimmed. Clip your Shih Tzu’s toenails carefully with a
guillotine-type nail clipper. If you cut them too short -- if
you hit the quick -- they will bleed. A professional groomer
can cut your Shih Tzu's toenails properly if you are
uncomfortable performing this function.
Bathing
Not all grooming sessions require bathing, but Shih Tzus do
require a bath on a regular basis. The frequency depends on
their living conditions, but show dogs are generally bathed
every week, while family pets only need a bath when they are
dirty. Bathe them after brushing, since bathing can make mats
and tangles worse. Place dogs in a tub and wash them with warm
water, lather them well with shampoo made for dogs, and rinse
very thoroughly, since any shampoo left in the coat will cause
the hair to appear dull and can also cause itchy, flaky skin.
Use a coat conditioner once the dogs are well-rinsed, and leave
some in the coat to help prevent tangles. Wrap Shih Tzus in a
towel to dry, and replace the wet towels with dry ones two or
more times, to absorb as much water as possible. To finish the
drying process, use a blow drier on the coat while combing
through it, leaving the coat silky and flowing.
7 Shih Tzu Haircuts
If you’re lucky enough to have a Shih
Tzu dog or puppy, you know the breed is known for
their playful and affectionate personality. You also know that
their coat--which naturally hangs straight down like a big
mop--can shed heavily, tangle easily, and be uncomfortable for
your pet. It can even cause overheating in warmer temperatures,
which is dangerous to your pet’s health. This is because Shih
Tzus have a long, double coat that can trap heat and requires
diligent grooming. The
answer? These Shih Tzu haircuts.
The Shih Tzu haircut you choose can reflect their unique
personality. Their hair grows quickly, and should be trimmed
every 4-6 weeks, so you (and maybe your groomer) can try out different looks and
lengths for your pet. This article will help guide you towards
the right trim for your dog’s personality and lifestyle.
The Puppy Cut
The puppy cut, which can also be called the summer cut since it
helps keep your dog from overheating in warm temperatures, is
one of the most popular and easy to maintain Shih Tzu cuts.
With the puppy cut, your dog’s hair is trimmed to 1-2 inches
all over. Although the puppy cut still requires
regular brushing to
avoid knots and tangles, it’s a more practical option than some
other cuts. You can play with the length of ear and chest coat
and feathering for different looks within the puppy cut.
A short-cropped puppy cut with short ears is one of
the lowest
maintenance cuts:
A variation on the above is a short-cropped puppy cut with
longer ears:
Here is a longer puppy cut with a fuller chest and coat:
The Teddy Bear Cut
Named for the way it helps your dog resemble an adorable
stuffed animal, the teddy bear cut refers to creating a fluffy,
rounded face shape for your Shih Tzu. It refers only to the
shape of the face hair, so it can be paired with any length of
puppy cut.
The “Practical” Top Knot
The top knot is one of the most recognizable Shih Tzu haircuts.
The top knot is formed by gathering some of your pet’s hair
together at the ball or apex of the head and then gently
securing it with a clip, ribbon, or tie. Some owners may even
choose to creatively braid the hair back. The hair in the knot
will cascade down from the clip, and the rest of their body
hair can be kept trimmed
neatly, at least one inch from the skin. It’s important to
keep the hair clear of your dog’s eyes and mouth. In this
instance, the body hair is kept on the long side:
The Top Knot Show Cut
This cut is similar to the practical top knot, except this is a
very high maintenance cut usually reserved for show dogs. With this cut, all of the
dog’s hair is left long and flowing. And to avoid tangles and
keep the shine, the coat must be brushed several times a day.
This is not a practical cut, and can leave your dog overheated
in day to day activity.
References & Resources
Shih Tzu
Club: Care & Grooming of the Shih Tzu
All
Shih Tzu: Shih Tzu Tear Stains
American
Shih Tzu Club: Grooming the Companion Dog
More on Shih Tzus
About the Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu Training Secrets
Raw Food Diet for a Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu Information: Health