| The Shih Tzu with its long coat of hair requires regular, | | | | bristles. Brush your Shih Tzu's coat in layers from the |
| careful grooming. It is better to take a little time each | | | | skin out to the very ends of the hair. Notice how your |
| day to keep the coat of your Shih Tzu in top shape | | | | brush gathers hair. If the brush is gathering hair only on |
| than to allow it to go almost beyond repair. If you don't | | | | one side as you brush your Shih Tzu you are holding |
| set aside each day to properly groom your Shih Tzu, | | | | the brush in the wrong position. A Shih Tzu's coat |
| the coat will take a lot more time and energy to | | | | should be brushed in the direction in which hair is to fall. |
| restore to its original luster and length. This is especially | | | | However, Shih Tzu puppies can benefit from brushing |
| true if you are grooming for the show ring. | | | | the coat in ever which way to stimulate the skin and |
| The first step is to choose a particular spot for | | | | hair cells to encourage growth of the permanent coat. |
| grooming your Shih Tzu each time. Choose a spot | | | | Fluff the leg hair on a Shih Tzu puppy for a finishing |
| where the light is good and where your Shih Tzu will | | | | touch. |
| have fewest distractions. Keep toys, treats and other | | | | Pay special attention to your Shih Tzu's feet. The feet |
| distractions away from your Shih Tzu grooming area. | | | | of a Shih Tzu are usually the first to get dirty and the |
| Let your Shih Tzu know this is work that is absolutely | | | | hardest to get clean. They tend to tangle and mat |
| necessary. Be firm but gentle. | | | | easier. The hocks and elbows of your Shih Tzu should |
| You must groom a Shih Tzu from the skin out to be | | | | receive special attention. |
| effective. Your Shih Tzu grooming table should be | | | | If you find a find a bad tangle or mat in your Shih Tzu's |
| sturdy and steady to keep your Shih Tzu from | | | | coat, brush away the surrounding hair and take the |
| becoming nervous on a wabbling table. A ribbed rubber | | | | mat in your hand. Take a little of the mat at a time and |
| matting is nice on the Shih Tzu grooming table and is | | | | shred it gently with your fingers, working it apart. Take |
| easy to keep clean. | | | | your comb and carefully work it out from the ends of |
| Time to groom your Shih Tzu will depend upon how | | | | the hair first until you get to the skin of your Shih Tzu. |
| much hair he has, the thickness of the coat and | | | | Start at the bottom and work toward the body. When |
| texture. Shih Tzu more heavily coated will of course | | | | the mat has all been separated, brush the broken hairs |
| require more time in grooming. | | | | out until all the remaining hairs are free. |
| The correct brush for a Shih Tzu should have pin | | | | |