Shih Tzu Grooming Guide: Haircuts, Brushing & Winter Coat Care

Quick answer: a Shih Tzu needs brushing every day or every other day, a gentle wipe around the eyes daily, a bath roughly every 3–4 weeks and a full groom (haircut, hygiene trim, nails, ears and paws) about every 4–6 weeks. In winter, keep the coat a little longer rather than shaving it, dry it completely after every bath and brush more often, because sweaters and dry indoor air make mats form faster.

Shih Tzus are one of the most loved small breeds in Indian homes, and their soft, flowing coat is a big part of their charm. That same coat is also the reason they need more regular grooming than many other breeds. This guide walks you through a practical routine you can follow at home, the most popular Shih Tzu haircuts, winter coat care, and the signs that it is time to call in a professional groomer.

Why Shih Tzu grooming is different

A Shih Tzu is not just a small dog with long hair. A few features of the breed shape how it should be groomed:

• A long double coat that keeps growing. Loose undercoat hair does not fall out easily; it gets trapped in the top coat and turns into knots and mats if it is not brushed out.
• A flat face. Shih Tzus have short noses and large, prominent eyes. Hair around the eyes can poke and irritate them, and tear staining is common. Their flat face also means they cope poorly with heat, so hot dryers and long, stressful sessions should be avoided.
• Hairy ears and paws. Fur inside the ears traps wax and moisture, and fur between the paw pads collects dirt and makes floors slippery.
• A small, sensitive body. Gentle handling, short breaks and a calm environment make grooming much easier for them.

Shih Tzu grooming schedule at a glance

Task	How often	Why it matters
Brushing and combing	Daily or every other day	Stops small tangles becoming mats
Eye area wipe	Daily	Keeps tear stains and debris down
Ear check	Weekly	Spot wax build-up, smell or redness early
Bath	Every 3–4 weeks	Clean skin and a soft coat
Nail trim	Every 3–4 weeks	Comfortable walking and posture
Full professional groom	Every 4–6 weeks	Haircut, hygiene trim, paws and face

How to brush a Shih Tzu at home

Tools you need

• A slicker brush for the body coat
• A metal comb with wide and narrow teeth to check for hidden knots
• A soft cloth or pet wipes for the eye area
• Treats, to keep the session positive

Step-by-step brushing

1. Pick a calm time, such as after a walk, and place your dog on a non-slip surface.
2. Work in small sections. Lift the coat with one hand and brush the layer underneath down and out from the skin. This is called line brushing and it reaches the undercoat where mats start.
3. Pay extra attention to friction areas: behind the ears, the armpits, the chest, the belly and the back of the legs.
4. Follow every brushed section with the metal comb. If the comb glides through to the skin, that section is done.
5. Gently tease small knots apart with your fingers or the end of the comb, holding the hair near the skin so you do not pull it.
6. Finish with a gentle wipe around the eyes and a treat.

Important: never bathe a matted Shih Tzu before the mats are removed. Water tightens mats against the skin, making them harder and more painful to deal with. Large or tight mats are best left to a professional groomer, who may need to clip them out safely rather than pull them.

Popular Shih Tzu haircuts

• Puppy cut (teddy bear cut): the coat is trimmed to an even, short-to-medium length all over, with a rounded face. It is the easiest style to maintain at home and the most popular choice for family pets.
• Medium-length cut: a slightly longer body coat that still looks fluffy but is manageable with regular brushing. It works well in winter.
• Long coat with top knot: the traditional look, with hair tied up above the eyes. It is beautiful but needs daily, thorough brushing.
• Hygiene trim: not a full haircut, but a tidy-up of the paws, private areas and the hair around the eyes, useful between full grooms.

Which package do you need?

If you would rather leave the work to a professional, here is how our dog packages match common Shih Tzu needs. Every booking includes a groomer visiting your home with all tools and equipment, plus a free vet consultation on grooming day.

• Spa Bath – a good fit when your Shih Tzu mainly needs a fresh, clean coat between haircuts.
  Book Spa Bath in Jabalpur →
• Full Pet Care – when it is time for a complete, regular groom.
  Book Full Pet Care in Bhopal →
• Transformation (Dog) – when you want a new look, such as moving from a long coat to a neat puppy cut.
  Book Transformation in Delhi →
• Best Services (Dog) – our most complete dog package.
  Book Best Services in Lucknow →

Winter coat care for your Shih Tzu

Cooler months bring their own grooming challenges. Here is how to keep your Shih Tzu comfortable from now until spring:

• Do not shave too short. A very short cut leaves little protection against cold floors and chilly mornings. A puppy cut or medium-length cut is a good balance between warmth and easy care.
• Dry completely after every bath. A damp undercoat close to the skin stays wet for a long time in winter. Towel-dry first, then use a dryer on a low, warm setting held at a safe distance. Shih Tzus overheat easily, so avoid high heat and take short breaks.
• Bath in the daytime, in a warm room. Use lukewarm water and keep your dog away from cold drafts until the coat is fully dry.
• Brush more often if your dog wears a sweater. Clothes rub against the coat and create mats in the armpits, chest and behind the legs. Brush these areas whenever the sweater comes off.
• Watch for dry, flaky skin. Heaters and dry air can affect the skin. If you notice persistent flaking, itching or redness, please consult a vet rather than trying home remedies.
• Keep paw hair trimmed. Neat paw pads give better grip on cold, smooth tiles and collect less dirt and moisture.

Planning grooming around Diwali

Diwali falls on 8 November this year, and firecracker noise can make many small dogs anxious. If your Shih Tzu is sensitive to loud sounds, try to schedule grooming a few days before or after the festival nights, when your dog is calmer. A familiar home setting also helps nervous dogs feel more secure during grooming.

Eye, ear and nail care

Eyes

Wipe gently around the eyes once a day with a soft, damp cloth, moving away from the eye. Keep the hair above the nose trimmed or tied up so it does not poke the eyes. If you notice redness, cloudiness, squinting or a change in discharge, consult a vet.

Ears

Check the ears weekly. A little light-coloured wax is normal; a bad smell, dark discharge, redness or frequent head shaking is a reason to see a vet. Clean only the parts you can see, and never push anything deep into the ear canal.

Nails

If you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on the floor, they are probably too long. Trim small amounts at a time to avoid the quick, the sensitive part inside the nail. If you are not confident, leave nail trimming to your groomer.

Common Shih Tzu grooming mistakes to avoid

• Brushing only the top layer of the coat, which leaves mats hidden underneath.
• Bathing before brushing, which tightens existing knots.
• Leaving the coat damp after a bath, especially in winter.
• Using human shampoo instead of a gentle, dog-specific one.
• Using a very hot dryer close to the skin.
• Waiting too long between grooms, so a simple trim turns into a full de-matting session.

Home grooming vs salon for a Shih Tzu

Many Shih Tzus find car rides, unfamiliar smells and barking dogs in a salon stressful, and their flat faces make them more sensitive to heat and anxiety. At-home grooming avoids most of that. With Global Pet Grooming, a trained groomer comes to your home with all the tools and equipment needed, so your dog is groomed in a familiar place, one-on-one, without travel or waiting. You also get a free vet consultation on grooming day, which is a convenient moment to ask about skin, ears or coat concerns.

We offer at-home dog and cat grooming across 30 cities. You can read city-specific details on our pet grooming in Jabalpur, pet grooming in Bhopal, pet grooming in Delhi and pet grooming in Lucknow pages, or see every city on our pet grooming at home page.

When to see a vet

Grooming is a great time to notice changes in your dog’s body. Please consult a vet if you see any of the following:

• Red, itchy, flaky or scabby skin
• Patches of hair loss
• A bad smell or discharge from the ears
• Eye redness, cloudiness or a change in discharge
• Lumps, bumps or sore spots that are new

Frequently asked questions

How often should a Shih Tzu be groomed?

Most Shih Tzus do well with brushing every day or every other day, a bath every 3–4 weeks and a full professional groom about every 4–6 weeks. Dogs with longer coats may need grooming more often.

What is the best haircut for a Shih Tzu in winter?

A puppy cut or a medium-length cut works well in winter. It keeps some warmth while staying easy to brush. Avoid shaving the coat very short during cold months.

Can I bathe my Shih Tzu at home in winter?

Yes. Bathe in the daytime in a warm room with lukewarm water, use a gentle dog shampoo, and make sure the coat is dried completely, right down to the skin, before your dog goes outside or lies on a cold floor.

How do I stop my Shih Tzu’s coat from matting?

Line-brush down to the skin every day or two, check friction areas such as the armpits and behind the ears, brush whenever a sweater comes off, and never bathe a matted coat before the knots are removed.

Does Global Pet Grooming groom Shih Tzus at home?

Yes. Our groomer comes to your home with all tools and equipment, and you get a free vet consultation on grooming day. You can book on www.globalpetgrooming.com or the Global Pet app on Android and iPhone. Prices start from ₹799 in Jabalpur and Bhopal, from ₹1299 in Patiala, and from ₹999 in all other cities.