A Shih Tzu's soft hair should be combed gently and frequently.
The Shih Tzu is a small dog breed that originated in Tibet and was brought to the United States around 1958. The Shih Tzu's long coat makes regular grooming necessary. The long, soft double coat covers the dog from its drop ears to the heavily furred tail. A Shih Tzu's coat could easily reach the floor, thus it requires frequent bathing and grooming. A Shih Tzu's fur can be clipped or grown in a full coat.
Clipped Coat
Clipping the coat short reduces the time spent grooming a Shih Tzu. For the first few months of life, the Shih Tzu's fur is short and clipping will not be required. Regular brushing of the puppy's coat is enough. Brush the Shih Tzu with a soft-bristled brush for 15 minutes as often as you can.
Full Coat
A full coat requires regular and thorough grooming. Start grooming the dog when it's a puppy so the Shih Tzu gets used to being groomed. Set the dog on a table so you don't have to crouch. Use one hand to hold the Shih Tzu gently but tightly. Brush or comb the dog while it is sitting peacefully.
Bathing and Drying
How often you bathe your Shih Tzu depends on a number of factors. The longer its coat, the more frequently the dog needs to be bathed. Bathing also depends on how often the dog gets dirty. A dog who spends lots of time outdoors will need more frequent baths. In general, a Shih Tzu needs a bath every couple of weeks. Bathe your Shih Tzu in a tub with a non-slip bath mat. Soak the coat, taking care not to wet the nose and the inside of the ears. Shampoo with a regular dog shampoo. Pay attention to the feet and bottom areas and rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Using conditioner lessens tangles while drying. Use a bath towel to wrap the Shih Tzu and give it a good rub to get rid of excess water. Having a holder for the hair dryer will free both hands to rub the Shih Tzu. Start drying the head, working down towards the tail and the paws. Take care that the dryer is not too hot so as not to burn the dog's fur and skin.
Making Grooming Easier
Check that the whole hair is dry from roots to tips. Be consistent when grooming; do the same things in the same way so that the dog establishes a routine. A Shih Tzu is an intelligent dog and can be trained to making bathing, drying and grooming easier. Choose the right kind of grooming equipment and invest in a few good pieces. Brushes and combs should be kept clean. Prevent tangles by regularly brushing. Take care not to rip out hair when combing. Topknots are ideal if hair is long enough.
The Topknot
A practical and pretty hairstyle you can do on your Shih Tzu is the topknot. This hairstyle keeps the Shih Tzu's hair out of its eyes and prevents it from getting tangled. Use a grooming comb and be careful not to hurt the eyes. Start by gathering the hair on top of the Shih Tzu's head. Create two sections, one in the front and one at the back. Secure both sections of hair with an elastic band. Take another elastic band and join the two sections together. Wrap a nice ribbon or bow around the hair to finish the look. Elastic bands used on a topknot should be removed with scissors as not to break the hair.
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