Shih Tzus are loved not only for their loyalty and friendly nature, but also for their incredibly beautiful coat. She is the owner's pride and headache.
Grooming your Shih Tzu must be regular, otherwise the dog will quickly become unkempt and may even get sick.
The haircut of this breed has three variations:
- hygienic or everyday;
- exhibition;
- model.
Hygienic haircut
When hygienic cutting, pay attention to the length of the coat, treat the paws, groin, tail and belly.
Attention! The main difficulty in hygienic treatment of small dogs is cutting the hair around the nose and eyes.
This is necessary, but you need to work as carefully as possible so as not to harm the animal. In addition, it is important to consider the needs of the breed. Animals need eyebrows and whiskers to navigate in space and perceive other signals. The dog is an apartment dog, so we must not forget about the claws - the overgrown ones take on a spiral shape and affect the gait and health of the pet.
Flight of fancy
Not all owners participate in exhibitions. Many people want to give their pet their unique individuality, to emphasize their best qualities, and to some extent reflect their character. Initially, a hygienic haircut is carried out, then it’s time for a model hairstyle.
It is the result of the work and ideas of two people: the owner who proposes the idea, and the specialist who embodies this idea. But there are options when the owner does not know what his pet should look like.
In this case, a good master will provide a portfolio of his work and in a joint discussion, exactly what will best suit the dog will be born. You can do show hairstyles yourself if you have a minimum set of tools.
Exhibition haircut
This type of haircut is best left to a professional. Any inaccuracy will affect the opinion of the judges, and subsequently the entire career of the pet. The main purpose of the procedure is to create an advantageous image that will highlight the advantages of the breed and a particular dog.
They start with mandatory hygienic treatment, trimming the fur on the face. The groomer processes the mustache, beard, and long hair on the head is styled into a ponytail. The main hairline cannot be shortened too much; the hair should flow along its entire length.
Exhibitions are often present in the life of a Shih Tzu
Main appearance attribute
The main advantage of Chinese dogs is their luxurious coat.
Thanks to the imaginative thinking of the Chinese, who developed the breed, cabbage soup tzu is often called chrysanthemums or lions.
A miniature dog can be given any look - a puppy, a teddy bear, a plush toy.
However, with all this, the dog remains a full representative of its family - fearless, loyal, sharp-toothed.
The animal must be regularly bathed with shampoo and conditioner, the fur must be treated with special gels and, most importantly, combed daily.
When keeping these small dogs, the main difficulty is grooming.
Despite the patient nature of the Shih Tzu, the work of maintaining the coat in perfect condition is very labor-intensive.
Maintaining the luxurious appearance of a Shih Tzu requires skill, effort, and thoroughness. First of all, these qualities are most evident when caring for exhibition specimens.
The difficulty is that show-class animals are not cut: their fur is regularly trimmed, but combed daily.
Creative haircuts
A hygienic haircut for a Shih Tzu is required to maintain the health of the pet, while an exhibition haircut is required to comply with show class instructions. Creative haircut options are more fun for owners.
"Teddy bear"
Another name for the hairstyle is “bear cub”. Is one of the most popular. The hair on the body must be trimmed evenly, leaving a length of 5 cm. The head is made round in shape, with no gaps allowed. In this form, the pet resembles a plush toy.
Like a puppy
The Shih Tzu puppy haircut implies that the pet's appearance is as close as possible to that of a puppy. The hairline is made shorter than in the previous version - up to 2-3 cm in length. They leave something like a “cap” on the head. There is another method - they leave the “pants” on the paws and shorten the mustache.
Korean
This haircut is often used for girls. The image involves the use of various bright accessories and jewelry. The animals are given cuffs, the hair on the body is shortened, and a long bob is cut on the head. Elongated strands are collected into ponytails or braids, secured with hairpins, elastic bands, and Asian-style elements.
Korean haircut
Basic mistakes and useful tips
Owners often make various mistakes when cutting hair on their own. It is worth following some rules:
- The wool does not need to be overly moistened or overdried. This leads to hair losing quality.
- It is important to maintain good hygiene at all times.
- You can't cut your dog's hair without untangling the tangles.
- Thinning is mandatory.
- In the area of eyebrows and whiskers, hair should not be completely removed.
- Failure to use a machine can result in injury to your dog.
Important! When grooming, it is important not to make noise so as not to scare your pet.
Grooming a Shih Tzu is an important procedure that not only improves the appearance of the dog, but also helps to maintain proper hygiene. You can do it at home, but for the first time it is better to contact a professional groomer. When cutting your own hair, it is important to use high-quality tools and be careful. As a last resort, you can watch a lesson or master class on the Internet.
Shih Tzu haircuts for boys and girls
Exhibition standards apply when grooming dogs of both sexes. When performing model variations, you can take into account the dog’s identity and emphasize the masculinity of males or the femininity of females. For dogs there is no fundamental significance; owners may like it.
Boys are often cut in two ways - to resemble the appearance of a puppy or a teddy bear.
Attention! They try to make the image of male dogs simpler and even more serious; they do not use jewelry.
What you need for grooming at home
You can’t do without a certain set of tools when cutting hair at home. In addition, you will need special care products (including bathing), additional accessories and decorations. Everything you need is prepared in advance.
We will only perform hygienic grooming at home
Tools and accessories
Initially it may seem that their purchase will be expensive, but with constant use they will quickly pay for themselves. To trim your dog at home you will need the following:
- a machine with a rotary engine (like a trimmer) with a set of various attachments;
- several scissors (for leveling the length, cutting off split ends);
- a brush with hard natural bristles (needed for combing out small debris, dirt, dead wool);
- comb with fine teeth to straighten hair and eliminate tangles;
- tools for cutting tangles;
- special nail clipper and tweezers;
- hair dryer, spray bottle.
You will need several scissors. Small ones with round tips are used for cutting ears and around the eyes. Classic straight ones are for the main function, thinning ones are for thinning wool.
Special means
Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to bathe the dog. Water washes away dirt and small debris. In addition, the natural oil protection of the hair and skin is washed away. In order not to harm the pet, it is necessary to use special products - shampoos, balms.
Cosmetics are bought in veterinary stores (ordinary ones for humans, prohibited for use). The preparations make cutting and combing easier. Cotton pads and anti-parasitic products are used for the ears.
Accessories and decorations
The choice of accessories and decorations is solely at the discretion of the owner. If you plan to braid hair and make ponytails, you will need small rubber bands. The use of bows, ribbons, headbands and hairpins is allowed. Boys often wear small butterflies around their necks.
Attention! The main condition is not to harm the animal. Decorations should not only be bright, but also safe.
Do not pull tight tails or use hard elastic bands.
Briefly about training
Puppies of this breed should begin training as early as possible, since young puppies are not very persevering and do not have the talent to accept a command the first time. The owner needs to show patience and perseverance, only then the baby will be able to delight with his successes. To the most important commands “fu!” and “come to me!” They begin training immediately after acquiring the baby.
Puppies are adorable, but the owner must understand that the little naughty one will grow up very soon, and he should not be allowed to bite household members, run on upholstered furniture and beg at the table. Early socialization of a puppy is a prerequisite for a dog’s happy life in the family, because a self-confident, friendly, well-mannered dog is pleasant to talk to.
Home grooming rules
First of all, you need to take care of the place for cutting. Usually a table is used. It should be level, stable, and reach the groomer’s waist, so that the owner himself is in an even position. The procedure is not easy and requires a lot of time, so good lighting and comfort for both humans and dogs are important. A mat made of rubberized material is placed on the surface - the animal should not slip with its paws.
Attention! Before starting the procedure, the instruments are treated with alcohol. If a cut occurs, it is important to avoid infection.
Step-by-step description of the procedure
Before bathing, the animal is cleaned of large debris, tangles and tangles are combed out. The pet is bathed using special products, thoroughly combed, blotted with a towel, and dried with a hairdryer. The haircut pattern is as follows:
- if tangles are found, moisten them with a spray bottle and try to untangle them; if that doesn’t work, use a webbing cutter;
- comb out the fur with a hard-bristled brush;
- using a trimmer, carefully process the hair around the nose and eyes (movements only in the direction of growth);
- the body is decorated starting from the hind legs and tail, in the groin area the nozzle is removed from the machine;
- on the forelimbs they work from top to bottom, removing excess;
- the last stage is treatment of the neck, mouth, ears, eyebrows are slightly trimmed.
On the tail, the hair is collected into a bun and trimmed (the main thing is that it does not fall on its side). The hairs between the fingers are cut with small scissors with round ends.
The final appearance is created with thinning scissors and decorations.
Useful tips for beginners
First of all, you need to make sure that the chosen haircut option is possible. If you plan to have your pet participate in an exhibition, you should contact a professional and not conduct experiments.
It is important to begin training for haircuts from puppyhood. After the procedure, the dog is rewarded with treats to reinforce the positive emotions associated with the cosmetic procedure.
Attention! It is unacceptable to cut the hairs of eyebrows and mustaches. For small Shih Tzus, it is a way to navigate and communicate with the outside world.
How to avoid common mistakes
During the procedure, it is important not to dry out the dog’s fur and skin with a hairdryer. If the structure of the hair is damaged, then you will have to undergo a long recovery with the help of special products, vitamins and even medications. You should also comb carefully - this point is mandatory.
Choosing a location and ensuring safety (anti-slip mat, handling of tools, quiet environment) are necessary. Loud sounds and sudden movements are unacceptable. If you do not have confidence in your own strengths and skills, it is better to entrust the haircut to a professional groomer.
The grooming process should take place in comfortable conditions
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How to comb properly
Dogs are brushed frequently, and daily during shedding. The procedure helps prevent the formation of tangles. Basic moments:
- the wool is first moistened with a spray bottle;
- It is better to lay the animal on its side, start from the hind legs, move the brush strictly in the direction of hair growth, then move to the front legs and belly;
- To comb the back, the pet is placed on its feet, the parting is separated and each side is processed separately;
- Combing the head begins with the ears, smoothly moving to the muzzle.
Combing is a mandatory procedure.
The Shih Tzu's coat is soft and silky and requires constant care.
The Shih Tzu is a popular pet breed. To keep your dog healthy, cheerful and active, it is necessary to provide careful and constant care for its coat. To carry out the procedure independently, you should familiarize yourself with its intricacies in advance.
Aftercare
How to properly care for the coat of Shih Tzu dogs after grooming? A groomed pet will look impressive only if it receives enough attention. Among the measures recommended to maintain an attractive appearance of an animal are the following.
- Regular combing of the coat with special anti-tangle sprays. The procedure is carried out using a metal comb and a special brush with stiff bristles.
- Periodic bathing of the animal - on average three times a month, every 10 days. Before and after this procedure, the hair is thoroughly combed and tangles are removed. Conditioner and balm are used during washing.
- After taking water treatments, thoroughly treat the wool with antistatic compounds or special aerosol fixatives.
- Shaping ponytails for everyday wear. They are created on the beard and crown of the animal.
- Using silk walking overalls during every walk.
If you follow these recommendations, the results of grooming can be preserved for as long as possible.
