Shih Tzu Grooming

Grooming a Shih Tzu should be started when he is as young as possible. Initially, just brushing a Shih Tzu puppy holding him in your lap is enough. Follow these early sessions with lots of praise. As your Shih Tzu grows grooming should take place on a table. A grooming table is ideal because the top has rubber matting and can't be scratched. This should start when your Shih Tzu puppy is about three months old.

Grooming of the face should also start as early as possible. Nails should be clipped every week in order to keep them from curling under. Shih Tzu breeders start clipping puppy's nails very early to prevent the puppy from scratching the mother while nursing or harming himself or his littermates. Bathing should be done on a weekly basis too.


Brushing your Shih Tzu is best done when the dog lies on his side. This gives you the chance to make sure that his coat is free from mats. Start by brushing all the hair back with your pin brush. Do not tug or pull. Then spray the coat lightly with a mixture of one part cream rinse and eight parts water in a spray bottle. Pay special attention to the front paws and stomach.

Special care must be taken around the eyes, and the mustache. A small comb should be used around the eyes to remove any accumulation in the hair that could cause tearing. The best way is to hold the head firmly under the chin by holding some hair. Check the eyes: they should be clear with no cloudiness in the pupil.

After you groom the face, start the topknot. Brush the hair on the top of the head away from the eyes. The hair is parted from about the center of each eye and straight up to the middle of the head. Hold the topknot with your one hand and carefully fasten a latex rubber band around it with the other hand. Try not to get the hair tangled in the band and pull the topknot too tight.



Bathing your Shih Tzu should begin only after you brush him thoroughly. If a dog has mats when he is bathed, it will be twice as hard to get a comb through them after bathing. Put a rubber mat on the bottom of the sink to prevent slipping. Put a drop of mineral oil in each eye before you start to wash the dog to sooth any problems due to the soap getting into the eyes during the bath. The drain should be open while washing the dog. While you are washing the dog, keep talking to him to give him assurance. Put some shampoo on your hands and apply it gently on the dog's coat. Do not scrub. Make sure all the parts of the dog are washed well and rinse thoroughly. With a towel, blot the dog's coat, do not rub it. Dry the dog's coat in layers with the dryer while he lies on his side.

After your Shih Tzu is dried, brush the coat again thoroughly to make sure there are no tangles. It should take you about 40 minutes to complete the entire bathing process.