Shih Tzus do shed like every creature with hair, but they shed very little. They have human-like hair, rather than fur, and it sheds infrequently, like the hair on your own head. However, a Shih Tzu’s coat isn’t maintenance-free. It requires daily grooming to prevent it from becoming tangled and matting painfully against their skin. In this article, we’ll talk all about Shih Tzu’s fur, shedding frequency, and grooming needs.
Shih Tzu Coat Characteristics
Are Shih Tzus Hypoallergenic?
Shih Tzus are a hypoallergenic dog breed. However, no dog is completely allergen-free, and there is some debate as to whether or not low-shedding breeds are good for those with allergies. Some people with dog allergies say they’re triggered seemingly at random—even stating that they can have severe allergies around one dog, but no symptoms around another of the same breed. In theory, hypoallergenic dogs shed less and produce fewer allergens as a result. These breeds have hair that’s more human-like, rather than dog-like fur. It’s a single coat and sheds infrequently. This hair also continues to grow, whereas many dog breeds have fur that stops growing at a certain length. If you want to adopt a dog but have allergies, I recommend meeting with the specific dog you’d like to adopt. Snuggle them, bring them close to your face, and spend ample time together before committing. This way, you’ll know exactly how you react and don’t have to return your beloved pup after the two of you become attached to one another!
Are Shih Tzus Smelly Dogs?
Shih Tzus aren’t naturally smellier than any other breed of dog, but all dogs have a distinct odor. Shih Tzus also have long fur that can trap debris, which might make them smell if they aren’t properly cared for. You might notice smells around your pup’s mouth if food or drool accumulates on the fur, or on their bottom if poop gets trapped in the hair there. They might also have smelly or dirty feet. Shih Tzus are also prone to dental disease, which can cause bad breath. Other ailments that can cause your dog to smell include ear infections and skin infections. If your pup doesn’t smell better after a bath, see your veterinarian to rule out the above. You can also try switching shampoos, bathing them more often, brushing their teeth regularly, and cleaning their ears.
Do Shih Tzus Need Deshedding?
No, Shih Tzus don’t need deshedding. This is because they already shed very little, making it unnecessary. It’s a common misconception that dogs with long hair, like Shih Tzus, must shed more frequently than dogs with short hair. However, it’s often the other way around! Deshedding is usually reserved for double-coated, high-shedding breeds.
How to Groom a Shih Tzu
It’s important to have a good routine when it comes to grooming your Shih Tzu. This should include:
Combing their coat once dailyWiping their eyes dailyBrushing their teeth dailyBathing them at least once monthlyTrimming their nails monthlyCleaning their ears monthlyTrimming the fur as desired
Combing Your Shih Tzu
To comb your Shih Tzu, use a metal comb and part their fur into sections. Comb their entire body down to the skin to ensure no mats form. As you’re parting your pup’s fur, it’s a good time to check their skin for redness or irritation. Also look for pests, dull coat, and dandruff. Take your dog to the vet if you notice anything abnormal. If your Shih Tzu has long fur, it’s important not to skip a day of grooming and to ensure you’re thorough. Matted fur will pull on your dog’s skin as they move, causing pain when they do everyday activities like walking. If you don’t want to brush your Shih Tzu daily, keep their fur short enough that mats can’t form. Shih Tzus with shorter fur only need to be brushed once weekly, and it’s a lot less work!
Cleaning Your Shih Tzu’s Face
Shih Tzus often get tear stains around their eyes. The fur around their mouths can also become messy quickly. Wipe any tears or eye boogers from your Shih Tzu’s eyes once a day with a damp cloth, and wipe down their mouth after meals if necessary. This is also a good time to check for any abnormalities in your dog’s eyes, as Shih Tzus can be prone to eye problems. Catching signs of illness early gives your pup the best shot at a healthy life.
Brushing Your Shih Tzu’s Teeth
Like all little dogs, Shih Tzus are prone to dental problems. Many lose most or all of their teeth in old age, but this is preventable. It’s important to begin taking care of your pup’s teeth as soon as you adopt them, whether this is at eight weeks or eight years! The two ways of doing this are yearly dental cleanings by a veterinarian, and daily tooth brushing at home. If you can’t manage to brush your Shih Tzu’s teeth daily, brush them as often as you can. Here’s how to brush a Shih Tzu’s teeth:
Choose a toothbrush and dog toothpaste. There are many types of toothbrush out there, from eco-friendly to electronic to those you put on your finger. Dog toothpaste also comes in a variety of flavors for your pup to enjoy!Remember to never use human toothpaste, as it’s toxic to dogs.Train your Shih Tzu to accept handling and the toothbrush. This will take the most time—most dogs don’t naturally like or accept having their teeth brushed. Introduce the concept of you handling their mouth slowly, and get them used to the toothbrush step by step.Gently brush your Shih Tzu’s teeth. At first, you might only be able to brush a few. Slowly, you can work your way up. Be sure to give yourself and your dog breaks to avoid frustration.
While you’re looking at your Shih Tzu’s mouth, be sure to note any bad breath, tooth decay, gum redness, or other abnormalities. See your veterinarian if you see these symptoms.
Bathing Your Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus should be bathed every 3-4 weeks according to the American Kennel Club. This will prevent them from becoming smelly, remove debris from their fur and skin, and stop their coat from becoming greasy. Bathe your Shih Tzu with a dog shampoo, as human soaps can be harsh on their skin. Lather the soap all over their body, down to the skin, and work it through to the ends of their coat. Rinse thoroughly, as leftover soap can irritate your Shih Tzu’s skin. I like to part the fur and ruffle it a bit, as this can make soap suds easier to spot. If you’d like, you can follow up with a dog conditioner or coconut oil to moisturize your pup’s fur and skin.
Trimming Your Shih Tzu’s Nails
Trimming your dog’s nails at least once a month will stop them from overgrowing, which will make it painful for your Shih Tzu to walk. When dog nails are allowed to grow indefinitely, they curl into the paw pads and break the skin. Shih Tzus can also hurt you with their nails if they’re prone to jumping or even if they scratch you while climbing into your lap. Here’s how to trim a Shih Tzu’s nails:
Handle their paws. First, you want your pup to accept paw handling. You can do this by petting their paws and picking them up while they’re relaxed, such as when they’re cuddled beside you on the couch.Introduce the nail trimmers slowly. Going straight for cutting the nails sometimes works, but some dogs need more time. Try letting them sniff the trimmers, touch them to your Shih Tzu’s feet and nails, and finally snip one nail at a time as your pup allows.Reward good behavior. Offer treats when your Shih Tzu allows their paws to be handled or the nail trimmers to touch them, even if it’s only a small step forward. This will help to build a positive association with having their nails trimmed.Avoid cutting into the quick. Each nail has a spot at the base that’s filled with blood. This is called the quick, and breaking it open is painful. If your Shih Tzu has light-colored nails, you should be able to see the quick. If their nails are dark, be extra careful to trim a little bit of nail at a time so you can avoid cutting it.Take breaks as-needed. It’s okay if your Shih Tzu can only handle having a single claw cut at once. Give them a break, then come back to it later in the day. While you don’t want the nails to be uneven for several days, taking a whole day to trim them is alright if it works for you and your pup!Have patience. In the beginning, trimming your pup’s nails can be stressful and time-consuming. Over time, though, it’ll get easier and easier.
If you can’t trim your Shih Tzu’s nails yourself, bring them to a veterinarian or groomer to have it done. You can also try alternative options like a nail dremel or filing board. These can work especially great if your Shih Tzu has dark nails and you’re afraid of cutting them too short.
Cleaning your Shih Tzu’s Ears
Clean your Shih Tzu’s ears once monthly or as recommended by your veterinarian. If your pup gets frequent ear infections or has allergies, your vet might suggest cleaning the ears more often. Cleaning a dog’s ears is simple, luckily. Use a dog ear cleaning solution or a small amount of baby oil to dampen the cleaning tool of your choosing. This could be a paper towel, cotton pad, cotton ball, or q-tip. Focus on the exterior of the ear—the pinkish underside—not the inner ear canal. Gently wipe away any debris you see, and clean up the surrounding fur as well if needed. Never stick anything into your dog’s ear canal. This can severely injure them, even causing deafness in severe cases. If you use a q-tip, its sole purpose is to get into the folds and crevices of the outer ear—never to clean wax out of the inner ear. If you notice a build-up of wax inside the ear canal, call your veterinarian to see if a professional cleaning is needed. Also note any redness, odor, abnormally-colored discharge, or swelling as these can be symptoms of an infection or ear mites.
Trimming your Shih Tzu’s Fur
Lastly, trimming your Shih Tzu’s fur is optional—but if you want a short cut to keep your pup’s coat lower-maintenance, it’s essential to keep up with it. You can either trim your Shih Tzu’s fur at home or bring them to the groomer. Most times, the groomer can cut their fur more evenly. But if this doesn’t matter to you, your Shih Tzu won’t mind an at-home haircut! Puppy cuts are popular because they make the fur a uniform, short length that’s easy to keep up with. This style is also super cute! If you want some or all of your Shih Tzu’s coat to remain long, remember to upkeep it by combing them daily as we discussed above.
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