How to groom a Shih Tzu at home

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Guest Post by Adam Conrad - You bought yourself a Shih Tzu, or are thinking about getting one, and you want to know: How do I make this thing look as majestic as a lion, as often as possible? Well, let’s go on a journey through the wide world of Shih Tzu grooming best practices.

Shih Tzu are proud yet loving little beasts with flowing locks to compliment their unique attitudes. A common misconception is that all dogs are fuzzy furballs. However, Shih Tzu actually have hair, not fur, covering their tiny, adorable bodies. You might be familiar with this type of hair because there’s a good chance it sits atop your very own head. (Apologies to all the follicularly challenged reading this article.)

Hypoallergenic breeds

This distinction of hair over fur is a Godsend for us humans who love dogs but can’t go near most of them without running noses and watering eyes. Yes, Shih Tzu are hypoallergenic, which is a blessing. But they do still shed, which is different from some other hypoallergenic breeds such as poodles. ​

Also because of their hair, the Shih Tzu requires more maintenance than the fur of it’s fuzzy counterparts. Many dogs maintain a certain length of fur for their entire lives, without the need for a trim. However, breeds such as Shih Tzu can grow hair indefinitely long if properly cared for. Hair goes through a longer growth cycle than fur. Where fur will shed quickly, hair will take longer to go through the growth and death (shedding) phases.

Regular bathing for proper maintenance

Because of this, Shih Tzu require regular bathing for proper maintenance. If you’ve ever had long hair that you didn’t wash for over a week, you know what a tangled mess it can become. The same thing goes for a Shih Tzu. Oil and dirt can clog pores when hidden under long tresses that aren’t cleaned on the regular. ​

This is an uncomfortable state for your pup to be in. To keep their coats in the best condition possible, you’ll want to bathe them at least once every few weeks, if not every week. When you do get to bathing, you’ll want to be sure to work the shampoo and conditioner (yes, conditioner) deep into the coat. Use your fingers to loosen the oil and dandruff that may be hidden along their skin by rubbing gently along their body. Shih Tzu are unique in that they have a double-coat. The bottom layer is often curly and thick while the top layer is silky, stylish, and prone to tangles if not given proper care.

Grooming Routine

As mentioned above, conditioner is a vital part of the bathing portion of your Shih Tzu grooming routine. When applying conditioner, start at the roots and work the cream down through the strands of hair. I would recommend checking out this article about best dog shampoo for Shih Tzu. Always use products that are paraben free and use all natural ingredients, for your all natural pal.

Grooming products

Have a full line of shampoos, conditioners, eye wipes, and leave-in spritzes to help keep your Shih Tzu looking its best. Some shampoos like the oatmeal and aloe shampoo and conditioner are particularly well suited for this breed. Oatmeal and aloe are natural ingredients to treat dry, itchy skin that can cause dandruff and discomfort. The aloe will also help to keep your pup’s coat moisturized which will help to keep it long and strong.

How to brush your pup?

Keeping hair well maintained will help to promote growth, should you want a long-haired Shih Tzu worthy of a Chinese Emperor. You will need to brush your little friend daily to avoid a tangled mess of a dog. 

The best tool for this job is going to be a large tooth comb, preferably metal. You can certainly do this during that weekly bath time we talked about. After gently rubbing conditioner into your friend’s hair, let the conditioner sit for 1-2 minutes, then start at the hair roots with your comb and work your way downward through the hair. 
You will also need to do this on non-bath days. For best results, make sure to dampen their hair with a spray bottle before brushing. You can use a detangling spray in addition to plain water to help maintain a glossy coat.

Trimming hair

If you want less upkeep, you can certainly opt to trim or even give your Shih Tzu a close-cropped cut down to their undercoat. If you go this route, you’ll need to re-clip their hair every 6-8 weeks yet still maintain regular brushing. This will give your Shih Tzu a more raggamuffin, chimney sweep look vs. the posh, aristocratic reputation many a Shih Tzu has come to be known by. Either style will be undeniably adorable. Always use a good pair of cordless dog clippers, that is light weight and does not heat up and is quiet.

Whichever aesthetic direction you choose, you must maintain a healthy pup to maintain a healthy pup coat. Keep your Shih Tzu’s ears clear of wax, and keep plenty of eye wipes on hand to keep hair around your dog’s eyes from becoming discolored and matted.

Shih Tzu hair styles

Not only is grooming important to have a happy, healthy dog, it can be fun! Shih Tzu are known for their high maintenance hair styles. To get the traditional look of a front bun, you’ll want to gently collect the hair from around the eyes and top of scalp. ​

Then, collect it together and either use a scrunchie or barrett to keep this ponytail or bun in place. If you want to try something new, experiment with two buns or multiple barretts. Etsy has some of the cutest options of bows and clips specifically made for Shih Tzu out there. It’s not unheard of to see a Shih Tzu with braids to rival humans. If you go this route, however, please be as gentle as possible. 

In order to make sure your cosmetic masterpiece holds, use a finishing spray to keep loose strands in place. You can also spray on a spritz that is more like a leave-in conditioner. Oil-based spritzes will help to maintain healthy moisture for the hair and skin of your pooch and will give them a lovely shine.

Did you Know? ​The breed's name of Shih Tzu is both singular and plural; just as in the example of the word “fish”. Therefore, if a person had 5 dogs, they would say, “I have five Shih Tzu”.

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About the Author

Adam Conrad is the CEO of Shih Tzu Expert. When he first adopted his Shih Tzu Scout, he wanted to learn everything he could about owning and loving Shih Tzu’s. He talked to breeders and veterinarians and searched high and low online for all the best information about Shih Tzu’s. ​By the time Adam and his wife adopted their third Shih Tzu, a short, brown haired pup named Rio, he got the idea to share this expertise with other seekers through a website: The Shih Tzu Expert.