The Shih Tzu is one of New Zealand's most loved lap dogs, and that flowing, glamorous coat is a big part of the charm. It is also a long, dense double coat that never stops growing and loves to tangle, so a little daily attention goes a long way. Skip a few days of brushing and loose hair quietly knits itself into mats right down at the skin, especially around the face, ears and legs.
The good news is that a Shih Tzu is very manageable at home once you have a simple routine and the right kit. Here is a practical, NZ-focused guide to keeping your Shih Tzu brushed, bathed, trimmed and comfortable between professional grooms.
Quick Answer
Brush your Shih Tzu thoroughly every day with a slicker brush and a steel comb to stop mats forming, and bathe every three to four weeks with a gentle dog shampoo followed by a conditioner or detangling spray. Keep the face, eyes, ears and paws tidy, wipe under the eyes daily to manage tear staining, clean the ears regularly and trim nails every few weeks. Many owners keep the coat in a shorter puppy cut for easy care and book a professional groom every four to six weeks.
Understanding the Shih Tzu Coat
Shih Tzus have a long, flowing double coat made up of a soft undercoat and a longer topcoat. It sheds very little, which is lovely for the house, but it means the coat that would otherwise drop out stays put and tangles instead. Brushing is not optional for this breed. It is the single most important thing you can do at home.
Low-shedding, high-tangling
Shih Tzus drop very little hair, so loose coat stays in place and forms mats unless you brush it out regularly, right down to the skin.
Mats form in friction zones
Tangles usually start behind the ears, in the armpits, around the collar, on the belly and around the bottom. These spots need daily attention.
The face needs daily care
The short muzzle and long facial hair mean the eye area collects moisture and debris. A gentle daily wipe keeps it clean and comfortable.
Tear staining is common
Many light-coloured Shih Tzus show reddish tear marks under the eyes. Wiping the area daily and keeping the hair trimmed back helps keep it tidy.
Drop ears hold hair
Heavy, hanging ears trap warmth, hair and moisture, so regular ear cleaning keeps them fresh and helps you spot any issues early.
Puppy coat changes
Somewhere around ten to twelve months the soft puppy coat gives way to the adult coat, and matting can spike. Brush even more during this phase.
Your At-Home Grooming Kit
You do not need a salon setup to keep a Shih Tzu looking good between grooms. A few well-chosen tools cover almost everything.
Brushes and combs
A slicker brush lifts and separates the coat, while a steel comb is your honesty check: if the comb glides from skin to tip, the coat is truly tangle-free. A de-matting comb helps tease apart the tighter knots before they take hold.
Detanglers and leave-in sprays
A light mist of detangling spray before you brush helps the comb slide through and reduces breakage. Never brush a dry, matted coat hard, as it pulls at the skin and puts your Shih Tzu off the whole process.
Shampoo and conditioner
Use a gentle dog shampoo made for long or soft coats, and always follow with a conditioner or detangler so the coat stays silky rather than fluffing up into knots. If your Shih Tzu has sensitive skin, an oatmeal-based formula is a kind choice. The Yours Droolly Oodles range is made for long, soft coats.
Clippers and scissors
For length maintenance at home, a quiet cordless clipper set makes light work of the body coat, and a pair of rounded-tip scissors is handy for tidying the face, paws and sanitary area. Take it slowly and trim little and often rather than attempting a full salon clip in one go.
Ears, eyes and nails
An ear cleaning solution, some fingertip eye wipes, a tear stain remover and a good pair of nail clippers round out the kit and keep the finishing touches easy.
Step-by-Step Home Grooming Routine
Brush first, every time
Work through the whole coat with the slicker brush, then follow with the comb, paying extra attention behind the ears, in the armpits and around the collar. Do this before any bath, because water sets existing tangles into solid mats.
Wipe the face daily
Use a soft eye wipe or a little tear stain remover to clean under the eyes and around the muzzle every day. Keeping the facial hair trimmed back from the eyes helps your Shih Tzu see clearly and keeps the area fresh.
Bathe every three to four weeks
Wet the coat thoroughly, lather a gentle dog shampoo from neck to tail, and rinse until the water runs completely clear. Follow with conditioner to keep the coat soft. Leftover product and poor rinsing are common causes of dull, itchy coats.
Dry and brush out
Towel off the worst of the water, then blow-dry on a warm (not hot) setting while brushing the coat straight. Letting a Shih Tzu air-dry almost guarantees tangles as the coat dries in clumps and knits together.
Tidy the face, feet and sanitary area
Use rounded-tip scissors to neaten the hair around the eyes, trim the paw pads and sanitary area, and clip the body coat to length if you are maintaining it yourself. Little and often is far safer than one big trim.
Clean ears and trim nails
Every week or two, apply an ear cleaner to a cotton pad and gently wipe the visible part of the ear. Every few weeks, take off just the tips of the nails, staying well clear of the pink quick. If you can hear nails clicking on the floor, they are due for a trim.
Puppy Cut or Long Coat?
One of the first choices Shih Tzu owners make is how long to keep the coat. Both looks are lovely, and it really comes down to how much daily brushing suits your household.
The puppy cut
A short, even trim all over is the easy-care favourite for New Zealand homes. It cuts down brushing time, keeps mats to a minimum and is cooler in summer, while still looking cute and tidy.
The long coat
The classic flowing look is beautiful but high-maintenance. It needs thorough daily brushing and combing, plus a topknot to keep the hair out of the eyes, so it suits owners who enjoy the grooming ritual.
A tidy middle ground
Many owners keep a short body with a slightly longer face and ears, or a "teddy bear" trim. It is a lower-fuss look that still shows off the breed's soft, round features.
How Often Should You Groom a Shih Tzu?
Little and often is the secret to an easy Shih Tzu. A quick daily brush takes only a few minutes and prevents the painful, tug-heavy sessions that come from letting mats build up.
A simple Shih Tzu grooming rhythm
- Brush and comb: every day, right down to the skin.
- Eye and face wipe: daily, to manage tear staining.
- Bath: every three to four weeks, or sooner if muddy.
- Ear clean: weekly, or every second week.
- Nail trim: every three to four weeks.
- Professional groom or full clip: every four to six weeks.
When to book a professional groom
If the coat has matted close to the skin, a groomer can sort it safely rather than you tugging at tangles at home. Many Shih Tzu owners pair a professional clip every four to six weeks with daily brushing in between, which keeps the coat comfortable and the grooming bill down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I brush my Shih Tzu?
Every day is ideal. The long, low-shedding double coat traps loose hair and mats quickly, so a short daily brush and comb is the best way to keep it comfortable and tangle-free, even on a short puppy cut.
Can I groom my Shih Tzu at home?
Yes. Brushing, bathing, face and eye wiping, ear cleaning and nail trims are all easy to do at home with the right tools. Many owners also maintain the coat length themselves and book a professional groom for a full clip every four to six weeks.
How do I stop my Shih Tzu's coat from matting?
Brush right down to the skin every day, mist with a detangling spray first, always brush before bathing, and dry the coat fully after a wash. Pay special attention behind the ears, in the armpits and around the collar where friction creates knots.
How do I manage tear stains on my Shih Tzu?
Wipe under the eyes daily with a soft eye wipe or tear stain remover, and keep the hair around the eyes trimmed back so it does not sit against the eye. Keeping the face clean and dry is the simplest way to keep staining tidy.
What shampoo is best for a Shih Tzu?
A gentle dog shampoo designed for long or soft coats, always followed by a conditioner or detangler. If your Shih Tzu has sensitive skin, an oatmeal-based formula is a kind, low-fuss option. Avoid human shampoo, which is the wrong pH for dogs.
Should I keep my Shih Tzu in a puppy cut?
A puppy cut is a popular easy-care choice that reduces brushing time and matting while still looking adorable. A long coat is beautiful but needs thorough daily grooming and a topknot, so choose the length that suits how much time you want to spend.
When can I start grooming my Shih Tzu puppy?
Start gentle brushing, handling the paws, face and ears, and short positive sessions from the day your puppy comes home. Getting them comfortable early makes every future groom, at home or at the salon, far easier.
Shih Tzu Grooming Essentials at Petdirect
From slicker brushes, steel combs and detangling sprays to gentle shampoos, clippers, ear cleaners, eye wipes and nail trimmers, find everything you need to keep your Shih Tzu comfortable between grooms. Save with Autodeliver on your regulars, and enjoy everyday member pricing as part of Pet Perks.
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