There are a variety of different Shih Tzu grooming styles that dog
owners go for.
The most common style is for owners to use clippers to shave their
dog's body which will leave the body the same length all over.
This is obviously one of the easiest styles but not the prettiest.
Consequently we have provided the best tips for the
best hair cut for your Shih Tzu....
Shih Tzu Grooming Styles
The
Puppy Hair Cut or Trimmed Down Style
Start by using a
clipper to trim and cut the hair on both side of your dog's body.
You should start this
cut by focusing on the legs first - trim the hair to the length you
want and make sure that you use a pin brush to remove any tangles.
Now start cutting the
hair on the ears to give them a rounded appearance.
Now use a pair of
scissors to get the hair looking nice and round.
Get some blunt ended
scissors and trim the hair around your dog's eyes.
Finally trim the
mustache and clan and clip their nails.
The
Full Coat
The full coat is the
style that owners often use when they show their dogs in competitions.
The full coat is when
the ears and hair are allowed to grow to their full and natural length.
Owners will often use
a rubber band to put the hair on top of the head into a top knot so
that it keeps the hair our of the dog';s eyes.
Out of all the shih
tzu grooming styles this is the one that needs the most maintenance.
Teddy
Bear Face
The teddy bear face cut is one of those shih tzu grooming styles that
is very very cute.
This hair cut is when
your pooch has had his body cut or clipped at the same length all over.
The face and head are left at their normal length with the
ears cut shorter. A very easy and cute style to maintain.
Shih Tzu Grooming Styles
Brushing
Shih Tzus need regular
grooming and frequent brushing otherwise their coat will become tangled
and matted.
It is important before
you cut your dog's hair that you give them a good bath and wait for the
coat to dry.
It is always a good
idea to brush your dog's hair when it is still slightly damp - you can
either do this through a bath or by spraying the coat with a water
spray - it will make the brushing much easier.
Start by brushing your
dog's hair all the way back - start with the feet, legs and then work
upwards until you reach the tummy then back..
Don't pull at the
tangles and use your hands and fingers to loosen any nasty tangles.
Tangles are more common on the neck and around the ears.
Bathing
Start by putting a
non-slip rubber mat on the bath;s floor to stop your dog slipping.
Bath your dog in luke
warm water and use a good shampoo - don't rub the shampoo in as this
will cause matting.
Bath the head first
and use a no-tear baby shampoo - don't get the shampoo in the nose or
eyes if possible.
A really good tip is
to put a drop of mineral oil in your dog's eyes before you bath him as
this will help to avoid any irritation.
Now only use a towel
to dry any leftover moisture then use a hair dryer to finish the drying
brushing your dog at the same time to stop any tangles forming.
Bath your dog once a
week.
Cleaning
the Eyes and Ears
Your dog;s eyes should
be cleaned and checked regularly as they have a habit of attracting
dust and stray hairs.
Use a warm damp cloth
to clean the inside corners of their eyes - you can purchase some eye
drops and cleaning supplies from your vet.
Use a cotton ball that
has been dropped in mineral oil to clean the ears and then use a dry
cotton ball to dry the ears.
This breed have hair
that grows out of their ears - you should keep a close eye on these
hairs as they can attract bacteria and can cause health problems - you
will need to remove the hair you can do this pain free by purchasing
some ear powder which you apply to the ears before plucking out any
hairs.
Nail
Clipping
Your dog's nails
should be clipped every one or two weeks but this obviously depends on
your individual dog.
Start by purchasing
a really good set of nail clippers and then clip the nails at the point
where the nails start to hook over - do not cut the quick - this is the
part of the nail that is pink.
If you do cut the the
nail too far down and bleeding does occur you could use some styptic
powder to stop the bleeding.
