Shih Tzu Grooming
To keep your beautiful companion looking and feeling wonderful, a thorough head-to-tail groom is needed as often as every other day, if not daily. You may find yourself lucky though. Due to the fact that every Shih Tzu’s coat is unique, you may get by with weekly brushing – if the Shih Tzu’s coat is of a texture that does not mat and tangle easily. It doesn’t all have to be hard work! You can make this a time to bond with your Shi Tzu and you may even find it relaxing and pleasurable.
Start Grooming Early
Why not get your Shih Tzu used to grooming from a very early age – this will ease things for you in the future. Your Shih Tzu’s coat will go through a period of change at about 10 – 12 months of age. During this time, matting will occur very easily, but just keep brushing; it will be worth it in the end. This temporary situation will only last 3 – 4 weeks, after which grooming will be a lot easier.
Your Shih Tzu’s Coat and Matting
Maintain a luxurious coat by using a soft brush with flexible pins called a ‘slicker’. It will be best to dampen the hair slightly with a spray bottle filled with warm water and a small amount of cream conditioner. This will curb any unnecessary breakage. Brush the coat out in layers, starting at the tip of the hair and moving up to the root. Work up from the bottom layers using your fingers to break up any tangles that the brush will not go through.
Matting may occur when dead hair drops and becomes entangled in the coat. Dirty coats and specific areas of the Shih Tzu’s coat are more likely to mat…. Around the neck and the ears, the underbelly area, inside the legs and under the footpads. Never rip at a mat; this will only hurt your Shih Tzu and cause breakage. Work through all the mats before attempting to bath or brush your dog.
Trimming Hair
Your Shih Tzu may require trimming every few months to maintain that ‘show dog’ look. Pay special attention to the hairs between the pads of the feet. You may need to trim these, level with the pads, to avoid matting. If tying your Shih Tzu’s hair above its head does not keep all of the hair from the eyes – consider trimming the hair from the eyes to avoid aggravation.
Bathing Your Shih Tzu
It is suggested that you bath your Shih Tzu every month. Have everything readily available before you begin and place a rubber mat under your dog’s feet for firm footing. Using lukewarm water, soap the full coat twice, paying special attention to the legs, which carry the most dirt. Take care not to get soapy water into the dog’s ears and eyes. Mix a capful of conditioner with one quart of warm water and pour this over your Shih Tzu once all the shampoo has been washed away. Rinse well after 3 – 4 minutes.
You can give your Shih Tzu a vinegar rinse to remove any excess shampoo and conditioner, and to deodorize the coat. Use one capful of apple cider vinegar mixed with one quart of warm water.
Swaddle your Shih Tzu in towels for 10 – 15 minutes before blow-drying to lesson the amount of time they spend under the dryer. Now would be an ideal time to trim the Shih Tzu’s toenails. The towels will restrict the dog’s movement, and the nails are softer when they are wet. Be careful not to cut into the quick and tend to dewclaws that do not wear down naturally because they do not touch the ground.
Always dry you Shih Tzu using a blow dryer. Gently brush through the coat while drying to separate the hairs, thus speeding up the drying process. Finish the look by parting the hair down the back and putting in a topknot!
If, between washes, you see your Shih Tzu dragging his behind along the ground, check his bottom! It is not uncommon for fecal matter to become caked in the rear hairs. It is not necessary to cut this away. Simply soften the matter with warm running water and wipe it away with a paper towel. As the rear hairs grow longer, they will fall to the sides instead of over the opening of the anus.
General Info:
Pull any excess hair from the ear canals using your fingers. This will stop the hair from matting in the ear canals and cutting off air circulation.
Remove any build up that you see around the eyes and mouth using a damp cloth.
Ask your vet to show you how to express your Shih Tzu’s anal glands, or pay a groomer to do it for you.
