The Shih Tzu is a little companion breed characterized by their long fur and gentle disposition. They need to have daily exercise, but do not require as much active play time as other breeds do; they require extensive grooming. Their long coats will need to be groomed on a regular basis to be kept free of knots, healthy, and clean. Grooming is about more than just the dog’s appearance.
Grooming will also affect the dog’s comfort, as well as skin health, and therefore the dog’s overall health. Because they require considerable grooming attention consistently, if they are not groomed on a regular basis, they may quickly become matted, develop skin infections, or have issues with their eyes.
Understanding the Shih Tzu Coat
The Shih Tzu has a double coat. The top layer is long and silky, while the bottom layer is short and soft in texture. Unlike other types of animals that require extensive grooming due to high shedding, Shih Tzus shed very little. However, their hair grows continuously (just like ours), which means that there is no natural way for them to “reset” their coats by shedding through the normal cycle of hair growth.
Therefore, Shih Tzus require regular brushing and haircuts in order to maintain an untangled and mat-free coat. Since the hair on a Shih Tzu is very fine in texture, dirt, moisture, and debris are easily trapped in it without proper grooming.
Daily Brushing Requirements
Regular brushing is an essential grooming habit for a Shih Tzu, and brushing their coat every day is the best way to do this, particularly if their coat is long. Brushing your Shih Tzu should also help:
- Prevent the formation of mats and tangles.
- Remove dirt and debris.
- Distribute natural oils in the coat evenly.
- Keep the coat smooth and easy to manage.
If you are unable to brush your Shih Tzu every day, it is necessary to brush them at least every other day to keep their coat healthy. If you neglect to brush them regularly, they will quickly develop painful mats that are difficult to remove.
Bathing Routine
A Shih Tzu should usually be bathed every 3-4 weeks, depending on the dog’s lifestyle and the condition of its coat. Bathing the Shih Tzu helps to keep its coat clean from dirt and oils that build up. Too frequent bathing can lead to dry skin; balance is key.
The coat should be thoroughly dried after bathing and combed out to avoid tangles while the hair is still wet. Using a mild shampoo that is specifically made for dogs minimizes any risk of skin irritation.
Eye Care and Tear Staining
Tear staining is a normal phenomenon for the Shih Tzu dog breed caused by their facial shape, which can result in excessive watering from the eyes and the buildup of fluid on the hair near where the water runs off.
Wiping down these areas with a damp cloth every day can help reduce the buildup. Also, if the hairs around the eye area were cut back, it would help reduce any throat (or constant irritation) created by long hairs touching a wet area. It’s important to check on your Shih Tzu’s eye health frequently because too much tearing may mean they have other conditions that require vet attention.
Ear Cleaning and Maintenance
Moisture and debris can be trapped in Shih Tzu’s floppy ears, increasing the likelihood of ear infections when not kept clean. To reduce the risk of ear infections, it’s necessary to examine your dog’s ears weekly for signs of redness, odor, or wax.
You can also keep your dog’s ears clean by using a vet-approved ear cleaner every week. In addition to cleaning the inside of your dog’s ears, you may also need to trim the fur inside your dog’s ear canal from time to time so that there is better airflow to the area and less accumulation of moisture.
Dental Care
Being a small breed of dog, Shih Tzu are at risk of developing oral disease. Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis (tooth decay). It is also important to note that this build-up can lead to bad breath.
Brushing your dog’s teeth every day is ideal, but brushing them multiple times each week is still very beneficial. You can use dental chews as well, with regular vet visits for teeth cleaning, to maintain the oral health of your Shih Tzu for many years. Neglecting your Shih Tzu’s dental health can cause many different types of diseases outside of the mouth.
Haircuts and Coat Trimming
Their Shih Tzu often choose to keep their dog in a shorter “puppy cut,” which is easier to care for. The ‘puppy cut’ also reduces the time required to groom your pet and assists in preventing matting.
If you choose to keep your Shih Tzu in a long coat, you will require the services of a professional groomer every four to six weeks to trim your dog’s face, feet, and sanitary areas. Regular trims will help keep your pet looking clean and comfortable, especially during hot weather.
Paw and Nail Care
An important aspect of grooming that’s overlooked by many is nail trimming. Overgrown nails can adversely affect the way animals stand and walk, leading to discomfort. Trimming of nails should happen every couple of weeks in line with how much the animal does through med to hard running surfaces, naturally reducing the length of their nails (through wear); however need to be monitored as well. The hair in between the paw pads should also be trimmed in order to prevent slipping & accumulating dirt when walking or playing.
Skin Health Monitoring
Due to the thickness of their fur, Shih-Tzus may develop skin problems caused by a lack of grooming. When their fur is matted together, it can trap moisture against their skin and cause irritation and/or infection.
Regular brushing not only prevents matting and allows the skin to breathe, but it also prevents build-up from occurring. As you are grooming your Shih-Tzu, you should look for redness, bumps, and any unusual dryness on their skin to help identify skin problems early before they escalate.
Seasonal Grooming Considerations
Shih Tzus can benefit from a longer coat in warmer weather so they can maintain their body temperature. However, Shih Tzus should never be shaved down (brushed, bathed, etc.) unless it has been assigned or recommended by their veterinarian for medical reasons.
When it’s cold out, a Shih Tzu’s coat may require additional length to provide additional insulation; however, there will still be ongoing maintenance required to prevent matting. As the seasons change, you may need to make minor changes in how often/long your dog is groomed; however, you should keep consistency with your grooming routine.
Professional Grooming vs Home Care
Many grooming services could be performed at home; however, many experts suggest grooming your Shih Tzu with an expert groomer every few weeks.
Expert groomers can provide all aspects of grooming, such as haircuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and maintaining a healthy coat. This can be of great assistance to Shih Tzu owners who prefer a shorter grooming schedule at home.
In addition to the expert’s grooming services, owners must maintain some basic hygiene practices, such as daily brushing, in order to maintain the coat’s health between visits.
Common Grooming Challenges
Mats are one of the biggest issues associated with Shih Tzus as they develop quickly if brushing is not performed regularly. Mats typically develop on the ears, under the legs, in the collar area, and in any other areas where the hair is constantly rubbing against other surfaces.
Another form of grooming issue is tear staining. Tear stain issues require regular cleaning and monitoring to ensure that tear staining does not continue to build up.
Some Shih Tzus may develop behavioral issues related to grooming if they are not introduced to the grooming process from an early age. This reinforces how important gradual early socialization is during a puppy’s life.
Making Grooming Easier
One way to ensure that your Shih Tzu is calm when grooming is to start young. Positive, short grooming sessions build the Shih Tzu’s tolerance for grooming over time.
Using treats and gentleness during the grooming process helps make grooming a stress-free and pleasant experience for your Shih Tzu.
Consistency with grooming tools and routines also helps reduce resistance and anxiety related to the grooming process.
Conclusion
Although Shih Tzus are affectionate and gorgeous dogs, the length of their coat requires daily care. Therefore, grooming is not optional for this breed; instead, grooming is an important part of having a healthy and happy Shih Tzu.
With regular brushing, scheduled bathing, ear and eye care, and routine grooming from a professional groomer, your Shih Tzu can maintain a healthy and well-groomed coat. Although Shih Tzus require more maintenance than short-haired breeds, the physical and mental rewards of having a clean, comfortable, and well-groomed dog far outweigh any challenges associated with owning them.
For the owner willing to invest the time and effort into caring for their Shih Tzu, this breed offers a very enjoyable, charming, and elegant companion for many years.