Shih Tzu Grooming




Shih Tzu’s are one of the most sought out breed of dogs, with their gorgeous coats and attention loving characteristics, they make great companions for anyone.
Their appearances are often heralded as some of the most attractive amongst dogs, with a combination of their cute small stature and flowing coats that can be styled to suit.
Shih Tzu grooming is actually one of the most important aspects of owning this dog, and a big draw for many people who are looking to purchase one.

SHIH TZU GROOMING COST
HIGH MAINTENANCE
GROOM WITH SPECIALIST500+/YR
GROOM AT HOME$150/YR
COST OF "PUPPY CUT"$50

Shih Tzu Grooming
Shih Tzu Grooming

Shih Tzu Grooming Cost
Deciding to taking on your Shih Tzu’s grooming responsibilities will save you a fair amount of money, but does mean you will need to do much more work. The popular option for this is to provide it with a puppy cut which is short and easy to maintain.

  • Doing this will mean a visit every 6-8 weeks for a cut
  • and will cost upwards of $50.

Styled cuts will cost even more, and can end up to quite the expensive bill, so learning to cut it yourself could save a fair amount of money. Also, many places will vary in their prices, so it could be cheaper one place and much more expensive in another, so be sure to find the right location

There are a lot of products you will need for the various grooming process for your Shih Tzu. Shampoos and conditioners should be carefully picked, as cheaper less effective brands can cause the coats to look unattractive.

  • Whilst these basic grooming products should never cost more than $20, you need to use them regularly (particularly the conditioner for brushing).

Other essential grooming items include ear cleaner and special combs, brushes and scissors.

  • All in all, even choosing the cheaper option will set you back upwards of $150 each year.
  • Compare this to grooming cost that could add up to anywhere near $500, it still isn’t too bad.

Grooming prices for Shih Tzu are amongst the highest for most dog breeds, and should be considered for anyone thinking of getting a dog of this breed.

It depends on how much time and effort you are willing to put into the appearance, the more you want, the more it will inevitably cost.

Coat Type

The Shih Tzu’s coat and fur is one of the most prominent features of the dog – you could scour the internet and find plenty of pictures of unique styles for the breed of dog.

  • Shih Tzu’s have long haired double coats, with a long gorgeous outer coat and a thick and coarse under coat.

To keep the coats in tip top shape, regular Shih Tzu grooming is a must. It will involve a lot of upkeep, but the end result is certainly worth it for many, as it can leave your dog with the most spectacular looking coats. Many simply chose to have the coast cut short for easier maintenance if they are not to bothered about the appearances

  •  Short haired Shih Tzu’s  require far lower upkeep.’

Maintenance

There is a fair amount of maintenance required from owners of Shih Tzu’s.

  • Many decide to keep their Shih Tzu’s with short hairs, which will significantly reduce the amount of maintenance needed, yet many love the beautiful appearance of their coats, and it is a main attraction for many prospective buyers.




Shih Tzu grooming is much more frequent for those with longer coats, leading to higher levels of maintenance particularly for brushing. You will need to do this daily for longer coats, though those who opt for short ones will only need to do it once a week.  A longer coat also means more baths, with once a week a must – many do this more often to ensure the coat looks at its best. Baths for shorter coast can be reduced to once every few weeks, increasing as the fur grows in length.

Dental Care

Dental care is also very important for the Shih Tzu, with daily cleanings the best option, though you can get away with leaving it for a few days at a time. Similarly their ears need regular check-ups, once a week is best suited, along with cleaning their faces.

Grooming

Starting Young !

As Shih Tzu grooming is a frequent occurrence, it’s recommended that you start regular grooming from a young age. This will get the pup used to the experience, making them easier to groom in the future. This is particularly important for brushing the coats.

Teaching your Shih Tzu to lie on its side while you brush it will make the process easier, as well as more comfortable for the dog – it’s a common practice for professional groomers

Brushing 

Daily brushes will help prevent tangles and matting from their long coats, so should always be done this often.

  • A quality bristle brush will work well, there are plenty of areas that need brushed so starting with the legs and feet is a good technique.
  • You can then work your way up to the body and tail, before finishing with the head and face.
  • Brush down and towards the back of the body, and have a water bottle or spray condition handy as it will make brushing much easier as well as avoiding potential tears or breaks in the hair itself.
  • Separating sections of long hair will also make it easier to get a more through brush done, reducing tangles and possible matting.
  • Finish the process with a steel comb will help to get rid of any hard to reach tangles, and is easy way of detangling without hurting the dog.

Bathing

  • For Bathing, a regular bath will help to keep the hair nice and clean – but don’t overdo it as it can dry out the hair of the dog leaving it look rather unsightly! Once a week is usually fine, and as a small dog it can easily be done in a sink or basin.
  • Start with an appropriate shampoo, making sure to avoid the eyes and ears.
  • After gently rising out shampoo, do the same process with the conditioner, followed by drying gently with a towel.
  • After that, you can blow dry the coat. Make sure the setting is on low, and use a comb or brush when drying to reduce tangling.

Another important aspect of Shih Tzu grooming is the ears and face. The ears will need to be checked once a week. Ensure they are clean, and when they do get dirty, use a cotton ball with some ph. balanced cleaner (you can get a recommendation by your vet or check online to see what’s popular).

Hair can grow inside the canal, so remove it when it appears – look out for redness, as it’s a sign of infection, so a trip to vet will be in order if found.

Face Trimming

Shih Tzu have gorgeous big eyes that can melt even the coldest of hearts, but they also tear up a lot meaning you need to be on top of it.

  • The tear ducts can easily be clogged which can lead to infection and pain for the poor dog. Trimming the hair around the eyes is a must, although some like to tie up the hair around the head in a stylish knot to keep it out (especially with a very long coat).

The same process should be applied for hair around the mouth. Using a damp cloth, clean around the eyes and folds to ensure there is no residue or build up. Do this every day to reduce the chances of infection.

Nails

Taking care of the nails is another part of Shih Tzu grooming, which should be done every few weeks. This can be done using nail clippers or a file to take them down. May people are not sure or confident in their abilities to do this, and cutting nails too short can hurt the dog and cause bleeding.

  • Many decide to take their Shih Tzu to a professional groomer to deal with this, and they can also do an entire groom, including bathing, brushing and a haircut.