Shih Tzus are adorable, loving and gentle pets. They love to be around people, especially children, and show their affection towards them. They are great pets to have because of these qualities. The only thing that one needs to take care of, apart from showering one's Shih Tzu with love and attention, is its grooming. They have long, flowing hair, which need careful grooming in order to keep them tangle free. The good thing, though, is that they are low shedders, and will not leave hair all over the house.

Dog grooming is an important part of dog care. The main aspect of grooming a Shih Tzu involves taking care of its long haircoat, which consists of a topcoat and an undercoat. This can be done by a professional groomer, which can be quite expensive, or at home. Given below are instructions on grooming your Shih Tzu at home.

Bathing
Bathing is an integral part of Shih Tzu dog grooming, but it is not necessary to bathe him unless the haircoat has become dirty or the dog has become smelly. However, if one is really particular, one may bathe the dog once a week. One can bathe the dog either in the shower or in a bathtub. Use lukewarm water for bathing. Place a non-skid mat on the surface of the floor so that the dog does not slip when it is wet. Keep all the grooming supplies handy before bringing the dog in for a bath. Use a dog shampoo and conditioner to wash his hair. Remember to brush the dog's hair before making them wet, otherwise any knots present in the hair will set and become very difficult to remove. Once that is done, wet the dog's hair slowly. Shih Tzus like to be handled gently, and will be much more cooperative when they are not rushed. This is especially true in puppy grooming. After the dog's hair is wet, apply diluted shampoo to it and rinse. Then apply diluted conditioner, and wash the dog again. As in the case of humans, take care that the shampoo and conditioner do not get into the dog's eyes, ears or nose. It is preferable to towel-dry Shih Tzus, as they are sensitive to the hot air of the blow dryer, but one can blow-dry them if they don't mind it. In case of a puppy, wrap it in a towel to make it dry. Multiple towels might be needed to completely dry it. After the haircoat is dry, brush it again to prevent it from getting matted. Sometimes, one may not have the time to give their Shih Tzu a bath. In such a case, one can use a dry shampoo for dogs to clean their pet.

Brushing
Brushing a Shih Tzu's haircoat is a very important part of the grooming session. This needs to be done on a daily basis, or at least every other day. The tools required for this purpose include a wire brush, a curved comb, a metal comb and a plastic comb. It is recommended to use a comb with teeth that are about 3 to 4 inches long, to be able to comb the long hair of the Shih Tzu properly. Contradictory to what one might assume, the hair should be brushed starting with the ends and then progressing towards the roots. Begin by brushing the dog's feet, then the legs, the belly, the back, and the tail. Special attention should be paid to the Shih Tzu's face, ears, and armpits. This should be done gently, so as to not pull the hair where it is matted, as it can be very painful for the dog. Look out for dog fleas while brushing the haircoat.

Hair Trimming
Trimming the hair of a Shih Tzu is optional. There are different hair grooming styles for your cute little pet. One can maintain the haircoat long or short. For a long hair coat, one can tie the hair on top of the head into a topknot, and trim the hair around the eyes, ears, muzzle, and paws. For a short hair coat, one can cut the hair in layers using dog scissors or shears. This may be difficult to do at home, so one can get it done at a dog salon which provides grooming for Shih Tzu. Some people opt for the Shih Tzu grooming puppy cut, which involves shaving the dog all over. A size 7 blade is recommended for doing this.

Nail Clipping
Grooming also involves taking care of its nails. Clip the Shih Tzu's nails when they become long. Nails that are too long cause discomfort to the dog while walking. It is best to cut the nails after a bath as they are soft and easy to clip then. Use a dog nail clipper for cutting the nails. Do not clip the nails too deep, otherwise the sensitive part of the skin under the nail will get injured and cause bleeding. The wound takes a long time to heal and may also become infected.

Ear Cleaning
Shih Tzus have long, floppy ears which tend to get dirty. Use a cotton ball dipped in a dog ear cleaning solution to clean the ears, both inside and outside. Never use a cotton swab to clean the ear canal, as it can cause injury. Check the ears once a week as Shih Tzus are prone to ear infections. If there is any redness, swelling or discharge from the ear, get it examined by a veterinarian.

Tear Staining
Shih Tzus' eyes secrete tears which stain their face, making it dirty, brown and stinky. It is, therefore, necessary to wipe these tears and the face, to keep it white and clean. Use a moist cotton ball for this purpose. One good way of avoiding the tears from accumulating under the eyes is to trim the hair around the eyes and muzzle, and keep it short.

Teeth Brushing
Brushing the teeth is also an important part of grooming your pet. The teeth should be brushed at least once a week to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar, and to avoid gum disease. Use a dog toothbrush for this purpose. Giving the dog bones to chew also helps strengthen the gums, but should not be relied on solely.

The Shih Tzu grooming instructions given above will help one in doing the grooming task perfectly. Follow them, and be the proud owner of a well-groomed and handsome-looking Shih Tzu.