How to groom a Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are totally people orientated. They are great with children and love human company. Shih Tzus are often mistaken for Lhasa Apsos however, the Shih Tzu tends to have a shorter muzzle and wider head – a brachycephalic trait, probably from their original breeding with the Pug & Pekingese.

The Shih Tzus coat is long and silky, with a nice beard and full whiskers. They have wide heads plenty of space between the eyes. Their ears are quite large in comparison to their heads. Despite their long coat, the coat should not interfere with their movement or vision – which is why it is common for Shih Tzus to have a top-knot.

Some pet owners may opt to have all the hair clipped off or trimmed to a manageable length. It can be a nice touch to leave the hair on the head longer and styling this individually in a top knot, plaited bun, ponytail, pigtails etc. using bright bands, clips, bows or ribbons.

Coat Type

Long / Flowing

Grooming Requirement

Bathe & Brush Out with Minor Trimming

Pet Grooming Option

Bathe & Brush Out with Clipper Trim

Grooming Notes

Always check with the owner which groom they would prefer – all off, trimmed or long. Also ask if the coat is being trimmed whether the Top-Knot should be kept intact. Ensure owners know the extent of maintenance needed for long coats

Shih Tzus require daily brushing if their coat is going to be kept long. You should also be prepared to regularly bath the coat areas that tend to get mucky/dirty – around the feet and longer coat. You should allow up to 30+ minutes a day to brush and groom the coat. Pay special attention to the areas between the legs and undercarriage, as these areas get dirty and tangled quickly.
Due to the nature of the Shih Tzus short muzzle, it is recommended to bath the face with extreme care. If you are unsure, use grooming/facial wipes or a damp soft cloth. It is dangerous for brachycephalic breeds to get any water in their nasal passages.

Grooming Guide

Prior To Bathing

Pluck hair from the ear canal only as necessary
Comb/Brush the entire coat to ensure tangles/matts are removed. Some intensive conditioner can be applied to serious matts/tangles that can be brushed out after bathing

If you are grooming a trimmed/clipped coat, remove excess coat before bathing using a long/medium comb guide

Drying different coat lengths

Coats shorter than 3 inches (7.5 cm)

Towel dry immediately after bathing, use a fresh towel each time one becomes saturated. Once there is little/no water being absorbed by a towel, use a high-velocity blaster to remove excess water. Work from the rump forwards. Keep one hand on the dog at all times to stabilise and comfort it. Avoid adding tangles to the coat by keeping the airflow in a downward direction. When no water is being sprayed from the coat you can allow the coat to dry naturally.

Coats longer than 3 inches (7.5 cm)

After Bathing

When brushing use gentle strokes to avoid brush burn. Take extra care in sensitive areas such as armpits, inner thighs, ears, neck and tail. Take extra care in tangle prone areas such as legs, armpits, collar area, ears and tail.

Use a damp cloth to go over the muzzle after bathing, wiping away tear stains
Leave ears long
Clear the stop area with thinners or clippers, only on trimmed coats. On a long coat the hair should be allowed to grow long and be parted down the middle
Line brush/comb every inch of the coat right down to the skin, starting with the legs working from the feet upwards. Next brush the body, neck, ears and tail. Hold the coat out of the way, pat the coat with the pad of the slicker and pull the slicker away from the skin. Don’t move onto the next section until one section is tangle free
Use an anti-static spray if static is an issue while brushing
Check your work with a wide-toothed comb
Lightly trim sanitary areas (under tail and tummy) with thinning scissors/clippers
Shave paw pads with a #15-#40 blade or trim using safety scissors
Neaten the undercarriage line
Ensure to brush the coat between the toes to prevent matting and discomfort
Round feet by first blocking the foot to form a square. Use long curved scissors to round the outline of the foot
Hold the hair out of the eyes using bands, ribbons, clips etc as desired.