SHIH
TZU GROOMING:
A
Shih Tzu puppy won’t need much grooming other
than trimming the pads and around the feet and anus occasionally for the first
little while, but eventually there will be more to do as the coat grows out.
Most choose to keep their Shih Tzu in a puppy cut
but if you want to let one grow out you will need certain tools to work with.
These are the primary items I like to use:
Denman Grooming
Brush D81M
http://www.metrobeauty.com/Brushes/Styling-Brushes/Denman-Grooming-Brushes.html
This comb has three
layers of teeth and is great for working through the face or any area trying
to tangle.
http://www.sallybeauty.com/Mebco-Pocket-Brush/SBS-183351,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair10
These combs below
are good tools to have also.
This small 4.5 is
good for working around the eyes and through the moustache hair near
the eyes:
The 7.5 comes is a
handy comb to work with as needed in general (although you primarily want
to brush not comb):
Although I really
prefer the Denman brush, many prefer a pin brush and I have used those too.
The pin brush I like is
The Chris
Christensen 27mm oblong.
http://www.chrissystems.com/brushes.htm
As one gets older
you have to teach them to lay on their side and
brush layer by layer beginning with the underneath toward the top coat.
You
may find the same or similar tools cheaper and/or else where.
I
like the CC day to day shampoo and conditioner:
http://www.chrissystems.com/daytoday.htm
http://www.chrissystems.com/daytoday1.htm
Biolage, Pantene, and Dove are also good products.
You
will want to brush through the coat prior to a bath because if there are any
tangles, wetting it will make them more difficult to work out.
Shampoo
and Conditioner should be diluted in a small pitcher/bowl and poured over dog
for best results. When you shampoo be sure and rinse the shampoo out
thoroughly. With
the conditioner I rinse it out somewhat, but not thoroughly.
Always
work the coat downward and not in a circular motion with bathing or towel
drying. Be sure it doesn’t get chilled. Blow dry it right away with a warm
hair dryer. You
will need a good blow dryer with the warm level, as you want to dry the coat
but not dry it out. High heat will damage a coat.
Also for routine brushing between bathes, put a spoonful of conditioner
in a water spray bottle and fill the rest with water; very lightly mist the
coat before brushing, this protects the coat and prevents breakage.
There
is an excellent video that details how to groom a Shih Tzu from start to
finish that you might want to get:
http://www.istaprofessionalhandling.com/videos.html
If
you want to grow your Shih Tzu out
long you will need the correct bands to band the hair at some point. You may
get them at this link. The medium weight/med size are used for show for
greater hold, but the light weight/medium size for general maintenance (less
hold but less breakage.)
http://www.dog-bows.com/cgi-bin/shop.cgi?action=view_category&database=latex-bands&category=0
I
like the bows from this place:
Lynne
also have several good articles you will find
concerning grooming, topknots, etc at the bottom of the front page of her
site. These will provide some good information to help you.
Things
that will occasionally need to be done that you can do are: clip toe nails,
cut hair on pads, trim around the feet so to look neat, trim around privates
and anus. You can trim around the
face if you feel confident enough. Grasping hold of the beard of your puppy
will help you hold them still if necessary. You may want to let the face and
head hair grow out. As it gets longer it is really pretty and will lay
down out of the eyes and the top be able to be pulled up in bands.
If you intend to use a groomer,
be sure that you select one that will treat your pet right in your absence. If
you intend on allowing your Shih Tzu to grow out a
long coat you may want to seek out more thorough instructions to do so. Be
very careful to not hit an eye with a pin while brushing.
You will need a set of dog toenail clippers if you intend on doing your own grooming. Use a pair of scissors to keep the hair from the bottom of his feet and from around the anus. If the hair is not cut off the pad on the feet it will eventually mate and create a sore foot. If the hair around the anus is not trimmed away, the stool is subject to get entangled in the hair and create a bad situation. With Shih Tzu being pronged to eye injuries be sure and check its eyes often and make sure they are clear. Should they have a cloudy eye or anything else appearing abnormal be sure and have it checked asap. Also you will need to begin playing with your puppy’s ears early on to get them use to it as the hair in the ear canal may need to be plucked out to help prevent ear infection. There are pluckers designed to do this properly with. If you do use a groomer, be sure and have them do this. You can also find some helpful grooming articles on the ASTC home site at www.shihtzu.org.
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