🧴Grooming and care for a Shih Tzu: brush, bath, health
Shih Tzu : Daily brushing is essential if the coat is kept long, otherwise painful mats form, and the prominent eyes need regular cleaning with an eye lotion. A groomer visit every six to eight weeks, often charged 40 to 60 €, is standard, with many owners choosing the short puppy cut.
🩺 The health watchpoints on this page are for information only: only a veterinarian can examine your animal and make a diagnosis.
In short: A small dog of 4.5 to 8 kg with a long, continuously growing coat, a short muzzle and moderate energy. An affectionate, fairly calm flat companion, not very sporty but always close to its people. Its continuously growing coat and short muzzle add up to two budgets: grooming every six to eight weeks and constant heat vigilance, with a harness rather than a collar.
Coat care, brush by brush
Brush-wise, the Shih Tzu calls for daily combing with a long-toothed comb then a slicker, or mats and tangles set in — and its light shedding makes it easy to live with on the upkeep front. The ritual settles in early, in brief rewarded sessions — the brush then becomes bonding time rather than a chore.
Baths, claws, ears, teeth
Plan a bath every four to six weeks with a specifically canine shampoo: a dog’s skin pH is not yours. On a Shih Tzu, the facial folds need wiping several times a week with a soft cloth, then careful drying: trapped moisture feeds dermatitis. Check claws monthly, inspect ears at the same time, and brush teeth two or three times a week.
Health watch-points for the Shih Tzu
Breeders and vets monitor this breed for: breathing problems linked to the short muzzle and corneal ulcers and irritation. These known risks guide day-to-day care, and any out-of-the-ordinary symptom deserves a consult rather than a miracle product. Life expectancy sits around 12 to 16 years.
Frequently asked questions
Which brush for a Shih Tzu?
For its coat, plan on daily combing with a long-toothed comb then a slicker, or mats and tangles set in.
How often should a Shih Tzu be bathed?
Roughly every four to six weeks, as the coat demands it, always with a dog-formulated shampoo.
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