Hello

having just spent a fortnight in spain I came across some grooming brushes I'd been after for years.

I have a 2 yo shih tzu who was bought as a 'show puppy' but due to having matted fur I decided at 6 months to have her pet clipped and not show her - much to the disappointment of the breeder!

Anyway these brushes are amazing and I'd like to get her in show coat condition... any tips please???

Hi there, I have many Shih Tzu's (short and long coated)
As this is such a heavily coated breed a decision must be made at an early age as to keeping the coat or regularly clipping. To keep a Shih-tzu in full show coat takes many hours of grooming and detangling, a full bath and blow dry is necessary every week for the care of the show coat. Every day care is face washing, to avoid tear staining, and tying up the long hair in a top knot, a short all round grooming to keep the matting down to the minimum. Every week ears need cleaning, nails should be checked and trimmed as required, paying particular attention to the dew claws which are left on in this breed but become hidden in the wealth of hair, if neglected they grow painfully around into the leg. Attention must be paid to the feet as hair grows between the pads and which mats up giving the dog uncomfortable feet, careful trimming keeps this under control. Many Shih Tzu "change coat" at about ten to twelve months of age. It seems, during this stage, that they mat faster than you can brush. Be patient, however, and keep brushing; this is a temporary stage that usually lasts for about three weeks, and once the dog has changed from his puppy coat to his adult coat, you will generally find him easier to care for. Dirty coats also mat more easily, so be sure to bathe your dog as often as necessary (generally every three to four weeks). Never bathe a matted dog. Water tends to "set in" mats, making them almost impossible to remove. Pay special attention to the areas inside the legs and around the neck and ears, where mats are most likely to form and most likely to be overlooked.
Hope I haven't went on and on....................................Good Luck - the hard work is well worth it!!

Lindsay
Admin: URL SNIPPED

Have to disagree with you here regarding Dew Claws on Shih Tzus. They can either be left on or be removed. Removing them makes more sense to me especially in the show dogs. All that coat and Dew Claws!!!!! a recipe for disaster I think.

I do think that in this day in age if a dog is properly cared for there is no need to remove
the dew claw. If it was meant to be removed, it would not be there in the first place!
Anyone who leaves a dog claws so long that the dew claw cuts into the skin, shouldn't be
in charge of caring for a dog.

Lindsay

There's more to dewclaw injuries than them getting overgrown. Any pet dog living a normal life can easily rip the nail off the nailbed, causing excruciating pain (have you ever bent a fingernail right back? - this is far worse), which could have been avoided.

Just my opinion.
:)

I agree with what you are saying, but this can happen to any claws, should we therefore
remove them all to prevent harm?

No, it's not as likely to happen to any other claws because dogs have more control over their 'main' toes than the vestigial dewclaw.
:)

This may be so, but dew claws are there and I don't agree with removing them, same as docking tails!
Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. :)

I couldn't agree more!
:)

Yes you are entitled to your opinion regarding dew claws and tail docking. But another point in your relpy regarding grooming Shih Tzus. I have yet to meet a shih tzu that changes its coat in 3 weeks. Yes they do go through a stage of changing coats from puppy to adults but this stage certainly lasts more than 3 weeks. My last show dog went through this stage at about 10 months and is now nearly 2 years and her coat is still changing. Do you have show dogs (Shih Tzus) of your own? Oh yes another point. Show Shih Tzus are generally bathed every 5 to 7 days. I wouldnt dream of leaving them for 3 to 4 weeks.

Oooooh i missed a little debate here didnt i!

My girl has dew claws and they are trimmed easily - i have more probs with hair in pads than around the dew claws to be honest.

And she will now be having baths every 5 days rather than every fortnight and am looking forward to not paying the dog groomer - god i love my new brushes ;-)

Obviously my research isn't as accurate as you seem to be - regarding the coat - althought NOT how to groom it!
I did not however say I showed dogs, I am a groomer.
I will, just for you - re-research shih tzu's!

Hi freddie seems we have quite a debate going on here, I believe its up to the individual whether to dock and remove dew claws,
However as a russle man i would opt for both, there are reasons why tails are docked and dew claws removed especially in working dog breeds.
went to a show recently and seen a schnauzer with a long tail , i wont go as far to say it looked odd but its just you get accustomed to short tails.
Correct me if i am wrong but some european countries have differant show standards than us and except non docked dogs.

[deleted]

My shih tzu's coat has been changing for 2mths shes a year now & only the middle part of her body. Ill be glad when shes sorted herself out. As for dewclaws mine came with hers but would prefer her not to have any. My opinion.

I do not know if it is the same but years ago I had Lhasa Apso's and the coats started to change at about 10 month growing in from the back of the neck/shoulders and gradually turning from the puppy fluff to the more strong grown up coat sometimes coming through in a slightly different colour to the puppy coat but very much stronger in texture. As for dock and due claws IMHO I think that on a working dog it is done for they own protection they can get very painfull injuries I have seen tails snapped and claws caught in the brush out on shoots that can rip a good section of skin away with it. For show dogs that is for the individuals choice and done at the right age may cause short term distress if any, but from when I had poodles docked years ago they seemed to get over it very quickly when reunited with mum and would start suckling straight away.

Hi,
People, answer the question. It was not about dew claws! This person was asking about coat care! They would like to know how to keep the dog in a show trim.
The answer is dedication. What ever the breed; if it has a long coat then you have to maintain it. This will involve regular bathing and brushing. You will need to condition your dog after washing and never dry brush. You should blow dry your dog after washing and consider lessons on banding for the top knot and face fur. There are products, such as anti-static sprays, that help with the detangling. Use a slicker brush on the knots. The best for your dog would be #1 All Systems and a useful brush, that they make, would be a triangular slicker brush. This would enable you to get into the problem areas. It is not difficult to keep a dog in trim but it does take commitment. A light spray each day, take the problems away! (But always brush after)
Hope this is useful. I don't own a Shih Tzu but I know about grooming. (I think, someone is bound to have their own opinion)
Keith

Hi Keith

thanks for getting back to the point!!! LOL

Well i've bathed her and dried her - all knots removed and doing her top knot - its small at the minute but will grow over the year!

She looks and feels fantastic... i've bought some groomers shampoo - which is much better than the puppy shampoo i've been using.

As for slickers - i was told not to use them as they strip the coat too much - am using a pin brush without bobbles on the ends which is working a treat and the new metal comb is fantastic.

I just need to get some spray now and some thornit for her ears - i've plucked alot but could do with the thornit to finish off!

she smells good and i'm looking forward to meeting some of you next winter at the shows with her!!!

thanks everyone...

oh - and her coat has been changing since 12 weeks old - breeder couldnt believe it but its only just starting to calm down - hence why i havent shown her to date.

hi filbert,
have to agree ,dont use a slicker as they can strip the coat ,and they can also split the coat(ie individual hairs),your best to use a pin brush first in order to locate knot's and then gently remove knot's with comb. have you tried the black plastic coated comb's,available from snooze and snax's,dyzna dog or hub international,there fab much more gentle on coat,then after removing all knot's ,brush again to make sure all knot's gone,then do your dogs parting, the best think to use is one of them double ended knitting neddle's , there not the standard lenght of a knitting neddle ,i'd say about half the lenght.then finish off with some liquid silk,you only need a drop, a bottle cost's about 6.00,but will last you for ever,you can get this from hub international,it add's shine and contol's static and has a fabulous smell,we all use it around the show ring,(ok! no one jump on the band wagon, no substance's allowed on dog 's coat for showing i know,and so does everyone else that use's it).What shampoo and conditioner are you using filbert ,as this can make the difference between a dry brittle coat and a fabulous coat in tip top condition.also before you bath your best off checking your dog is free from mat's and knot's,if he has lightly spray him,with water,(never brush his coat dry as this is when most breaking of coat occur's) and remove knot's,then youll find drying him is less time consuming and easier.Good luck

If you give her a really good brush everyday then there is no need to worry about knots! Also to whoever said not to dry brush vcan I just ask why not?

Static. It can cause the hair to break.

But surely if you leave it in between brushes their hair will get tangled causing the dog pain when it comes to brushing it out? If you use a decent soft brush then their hair should stay in good condition

Yes you should brush everyday to keep on top of coat,10 minute's a day should do.your best to brush the coat in layer's try to have your dog laying on it's side.a soft brush does not have any use on a long coated breed as it only glide's over the top coat,you can use a soft brush on a puppy to get it use to the grooming routine.
you should never brush his coat dry as this is when most breakage's will occur,you dont have to soak the coat every time you brush ,just a light spray with water.i have owned ,bred,and shown lhasa,for the last 6 year's.and in the beginning given lots of conflicting advice,but you will find a routine that suit's you.good luck

At 5 months of age i was brushing her for an hour a day by 6 months it was 2 hours - her coat was matting quicker than i could get a brush through... and i was doing her twice a day too!!!

Now her coat has just about finished changing i'm hoping to get the odd knot and thats it.

Freddie recommmended Groomers shampoo - i got the only one i could find which was 'oil of primrose'...

what do you recommmend Keisha?

groomers oil of primrose is a fabulous shampoo,it's especially good is for dog's with skin allergy's,do you use a conditioner after shampooing?,as this will help your dog not to knot as much,also if you find your dog's coat is a little dry dont rinse all conditioner out leave a little in the coat,(only when not showing)you will find the coat look's a bit greasy but ,it will help amensly,you will find next time you bathe him his coat will not be as dryand totally mat free ,i normally do this a week before a show,if any are suffering with a dry coat.does your dog have a lot of under coat,you may find stripping a little will stop him from knotting as much,but please dont go over board,be very careful not to take any coat out,if you not sure how to do this properly leave well alone ,and ask advice from either your breeder or fellow exhibitor's (one's you can trust).i always use dyzna dogs shampoo'sand conditioner's (first aid shampoo& balsam conditioner).just curious is this your first dog you've intending to show,just being nosey,anyway good luck!

Hi Keisha your advice is invaluable

Yes she is the first dog ive wanted to show and it took me 8 months to find her.

She is 2 now and such a sweetheart.

her breeder has no idea what to do with regards to her coat - shes recommended lots of things to try but none have worked... none of her dogs have ever had coat problems - but she does have lots of undercoat unlike her parents and brothers and sisters. But she did show me how to do her parting on her back and nose and how to do a topknot and pluck ears and trim the trousers!

The breeder was upset when i clipped her as she really wanted me to show her as she turned out much better than the pick of the litter - but understood i couldnt keep on top of her coat.

Anyway am determined this time with my new grooming tools - i've been stripping a bit of undercoat with the comb where it knots the most.

I'll def try leaving a bit of conditioner in and fingers crossed hey!

Thanks for your advice.

hi filbert,
good luck and i hope the advice i've given you helps,if you you need any more advice you can always e-mail me,at beaunydl@btinternet.com.
i do understand the problem's novice's face when they first start showing,so feel free to drop me a line anytime ,i dont mind if i can help i will.again good luck and don't give up with your little girl
joanne