Clinical & Salon Overview
The Shih Tzu was bred to sit on laps in palaces, and the coat shows it: long, silky, flowing — and completely committed to tangling the moment you look away. You have two honest paths with this breed: maintain the glorious long coat with daily brushing, or keep a cute puppy cut with professional trims. Here's how our Memphis groomers guide Shih Tzu parents through the choice at All About Pawz.
Shih Tzus wear a long, dense, silky double coat that grows continuously and sheds minimally
Shih Tzus wear a long, dense, silky double coat that grows continuously and sheds minimally — the loose hair stays in the coat, which is why it mats instead of landing on your furniture. The texture is fine and soft, which tangles faster than a coarser coat would. There is no low-maintenance version of a long Shih Tzu coat; there is only the daily-brushing version and the puppy-cut version. Both are valid. What's not valid is leaving the coat alone for weeks and hoping for the best.
If you keep the coat long
If you keep the coat long: brush daily with a pin brush or slicker, working in sections down to the skin, and finish with a steel comb. Focus on the mat hotspots — behind the ears, under the collar, armpits, and the belly where the legs meet the body. A light detangling spray prevents breakage of that fine hair. The topknot isn't just cute: tying the hair above the eyes keeps it out of the eyes and reduces tear staining and eye irritation. If you choose the puppy cut: brushing drops to every other day, since shorter hair tangles far less — this is why most pet Shih Tzus wear the puppy cut.
Every two to three weeks for long coats, every three to four for puppy cuts.
Every two to three weeks for long coats, every three to four for puppy cuts. Always brush out tangles before the bath — water tightens mats. Shampoo gently, condition always (conditioner is what keeps silky coats from turning into cotton candy), and rinse thoroughly. Blow-dry while brushing with a pin brush; air-drying a Shih Tzu invites tangles. Keep the dryer on warm, not hot, and hold it moving — fine coats scorch easily. A clean, conditioned Shih Tzu coat stays tangle-free noticeably longer than a dirty one.
Professional grooming every four to six weeks.
Professional grooming every four to six weeks. The puppy cut — one manageable length all over, often with a rounded teddy-bear face — is the pet owner's best friend: cute, practical, and it stretches brushing to every other day. The full show coat with topknot is stunning and a genuine lifestyle commitment. Between grooms, keep the sanitary area, paw pads, and the corners of the eyes tidy; hair poking into the eyes causes irritation and watering. Tell your groomer which lifestyle you actually live, not the one you aspire to — the right cut matches your brushing reality.
Nails every three to four weeks — Shih Tzus are indoor dogs and their nails won't wear down on their own.
Nails every three to four weeks — Shih Tzus are indoor dogs and their nails won't wear down on their own. Ears: Shih Tzus grow hair in the ear canal and have floppy ears, a combination that needs regular checking. Clean visible debris with a vet-approved solution and ask your vet or groomer about managing the ear hair — don't pull it at home without guidance. Eyes: wipe the corners daily; tear staining is common in the breed, and keeping the area clean and dry minimizes it. Teeth: the undershot jaw crowds teeth together, making dental disease very likely. Brush as often as possible, use dental chews, and ask your vet about professional cleanings — dental care is a big deal for this breed.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Daily | Brush (long coat); wipe eye corners; topknot check |
| Every other day | Brush (puppy cut) |
| Every 2–3 weeks | Nail trim |
| Every 2–4 weeks | Bath, blow-dry, brush-out |
| Every 4–6 weeks | Professional haircut |
| Ongoing | Teeth brushing; weekly ear checks |
Shih Tzus are a standing-appointment breed — every four to six weeks, on the calendar.
Shih Tzus are a standing-appointment breed — every four to six weeks, on the calendar. If mats have formed behind the ears or in the armpits, book before they tighten; a pro can work out moderate tangles humanely, but pelted coats need a humane clip-down, and that's a conversation to have kindly and early. Puppies should meet the groomer at 12 to 16 weeks for short, happy introduction visits — the face-handling and table manners they learn young pay off for a lifetime of haircuts.
Serving Pets Across Greater Memphis & Shelby County
Whether you live near Midtown, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, or Arlington, All About Pawz offers full salon appointments and concierge pet care.