Shih Tzu Grooming Guide: Coat Care, Cuts & Frequency

The Shih Tzu is one of Delhi's most-loved companions — and one of the highest-maintenance to groom. That long, flowing double coat looks beautiful but mats quickly without regular care. Here's how to keep a Shih Tzu comfortable, clean and mat-free.

The Shih Tzu coat

Shih Tzus have a long, dense double coat that keeps growing rather than shedding heavily. That means the loose hair gets trapped instead of falling out, so it tangles and mats — especially behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar and on the belly. Many Delhi families keep their Shih Tzu in a shorter teddy-bear cut for easier upkeep in the heat, while others maintain the full coat with a top-knot.

How often should you groom?

A Shih Tzu needs a full grooming session every 3–4 weeks, with brushing at home in between. Leave it longer and mats set in close to the skin, which are uncomfortable and sometimes have to be shaved out.

Common grooming challenges

• Matting behind the ears, under the legs and on the belly
• Tear staining and eye gunk around the flat face
• Hair growing into the eyes and inside the ears
• Overgrown nails and hair between the paw pads
• Sanitary area needing regular trimming

Grooming at home in Delhi

Delhi's dust settles quickly into a long Shih Tzu coat and can irritate the eyes, so regular baths with pH-balanced products and careful face and eye cleaning matter here. Our groomers handle de-matting gently — without shaving where we can avoid it — and finish with a teddy-bear or hygiene trim to suit the season. For a matted coat, the PawLuxe package includes de-matting and anti-tick care; for routine upkeep, Full Service keeps the coat shaped and clean. You can see full packages and book on the Delhi pet grooming page.

Shih Tzu grooming styles: choosing a cut

Most Delhi owners choose between three looks. The teddy-bear cut keeps a rounded face with a short, even body — cool, low-maintenance and the most popular for the city's heat. The puppy cut is a little longer all over, soft and practical. The full show coat with a top-knot is beautiful but needs daily brushing and a session every three weeks to stay mat-free. If your Shih Tzu's coat has already started to mat, it is usually kinder to go shorter for a season and grow it back than to force a comb through tight tangles. Tell your groomer the length you want in finger-widths, and say whether you'd like the face rounded or trimmed shorter around the eyes.

Grooming tips between sessions

• Brush a few minutes daily with a slicker brush and comb, reaching the roots
• Wipe the face and under the eyes daily to reduce tear stains
• Check ears weekly and keep the eye area hair trimmed
• Book before mats form — prevention is far kinder than removal