If you are planning to buy a new Shih Tzu, then you need to know about some grooming styles and tips. This article lists the Shih Tzu grooming styles that you can try, to take care of your dog in a right and gentle manner.
The Shih Tzu is undoubtedly a cute and lovable dog. It has big, dark, and bright eyes with soft body fur. This is a very sweet and loving breed that is fun to have around. So it’s a great idea to get one home. However, you must also be aware of how to keep it clean and healthy. For Shih Tzu grooming help, read on to know some grooming styles and tips that will surely be helpful for you to keep your pet clean, hygienic, and stylish.
Characteristics of a Shih Tzu
Physical Characteristics
‘Shih Tzu’ essentially means Lion Dog. So do not be fooled by its size and cute appearance. It is an active, alert, brave, and honest dog breed. It is quite sturdy and its body is slightly longer as compared to the height, giving it a slender look. Its head is round and broad with sparkling big eyes that have a wide gap in between. It has a broad nose with noticeable nostrils, that is generally hidden under facial hair. The ears are small, drooping, and full of puppy hair. The jaw line is small and is carried with a Chinese style mustache line over it.
Emotional Characteristics
The Shih Tzu puppy is very happy-go-lucky. It loves playing and running around the house and most importantly, loves to be surrounded by lots of people who can cuddle it all the time. It is very playful, spunky, and friendly, and so gels easily with new people. It needs to be provided with strict dog training and obedience training. This can be a challenging dog for you to handle, so make sure that you do not pamper it with unnecessary love and attention. It is very alert and makes a very good watchdog. Apart from this, it is also very loyal and sweet.
Grooming Styles
Grooming your Shih Tzu is not that difficult. Given below are some of the important things that you should have so that you can groom your Shih Tzu at home on your own.
- Curved steel comb
- Plastic comb
- Brush with quality bristles
- Dog nail clipper with different blades
- Shears and scissors
- Facial hair trimmer
- Dog ear buds
- Various dog care products
The aforementioned are some of the dog grooming tools that are essential when it comes to grooming. There are various grooming styles that can ensure pet care, giving your pet a unique and lovely look. Given below are some of the essential practices that you must follow as a part of grooming.
Bathing
You must not wash this breed too frequently, as too much bathing can strip off all the essential oils from its coat, thus making it dry. Bathe the dog only when it gets dirty. Use a soft shampoo recommended by the vet instead of over-the-counter dog products. There are various conditioners as well that will help you make the coat soft and silky.
Brushing
Brushing your dog regularly, and if possible every day, is very important to keep the hair from tangling. Brushing everyday also stimulates blood circulation that makes the coat more shiny, soft, and strong. Use a variety of combs with good bristles that will help you remove the tangles easily without causing any harm to the hair.
Hair Trimming
You can experiment with various hair lengths when it comes to Shih Tzu grooming styles. If you like short hair, then trim it with scissors. Short hair is easy to maintain. Pay extra attention to the facial hair and try to keep it as short as possible as it can cause discomfort to the dog. Because of the peculiar eye structure, this dog secretes tears that may dirty its face, so it is advisable to trim the facial hair regularly.
Nail Trimming
The nails can definitely cause damage to you and your furniture if grown out of proportion. Generally, the nails are not seen as they are hidden under the layer of the hair. So remember to cut them occasionally. Use a standard dog nail clipper to get rid of the pointy and prickly nails.
Hairstyles
There are various adorable hairstyles that you can play with to give your dog a different look every day. One of the most common, popular, and endearing hairstyles is a fountain pony over the head. You can browse the net and check out a variety of hairstyles.
These were some of the important grooming styles that you should make a part of your Shih Tzu’s daily life. You should also take it for a walk or spend time with it in the garden as a part of daily exercise. This breed can gain weight easily, so avoid overfeeding and provide some healthy dog food that your dog will like.
