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If you own a Shih Tzu or plan to adopt one soon, you must know how to groom it properly.
And to properly groom one, you'll need the best brushes for Shih Tzus!
There are plenty of grooming styles that you can choose from. You can even make your Shih Tzu a lion look-a-like.
Grooming is an important aspect of owning a dog. It's not only for aesthetics, but it can also help maintain their health and prevent possible diseases.
Also, if left untrimmed, their hair will grow down to the floor and will definitely get matted and dirty.
One of the main reasons some pet owners have difficulty grooming a Shih Tzu is because of their unique hair.
And I say hair because that's what they have; Shih Tzus don't have fur. They have thick, flowy hair.
They have a long double coat of hair with various colors and different patterns that need regular grooming, especially if you plan on keeping them long and flowy.
And you would achieve that with regular brushing!
In this article, we'll discuss the types of brushes you would need for your Shih Tzu.
We'll also give recommendations as to the best brushes for Shih Tzus that you can buy.
Let's get started!
A quick look at the 6 Best Brushes for Shih Tzus in this article:
- Hartz Groomer's Deshedding Slicker Dog Brush
- PETPAWJOY Pin Brush
- Coastal Pet Safari Dog De-Matting Comb
- Burt’s Bees Double Sided Pin Bristle Dog Brush
- FURminator Small Dog Undercoat DeShedding Tool
- ConairPRO Dog & Cat Dog Brush for Shedding
Different Types of Brushes for Your Shih Tzu’s Grooming
To groom your Shih Tzu properly, you must know the correct dog brush.
Choosing the right dog brush will make the grooming experience pleasant for both of you.
On the other hand, using the wrong dog brush for your dog's coat type will be ineffective against shedding and matting.
If you have no clue which one to use on your Shih Tzu, here's a quick guide to help you out.
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is one of the best and most well-known grooming tools for Shih Tzus.
It is used for short, long, double-coated, hypoallergenic, wired, and curly dogs.
This brush can remove mats, dirt, and debris and help prevent knots and tangles.
It has a stiff bristle that helps eliminate tangles and mats. It can also help spread natural oils that promote a dog's healthy coat.
Best to use it regularly to help with shedding.
Bristle Brush
A bristle brush offers many benefits for Shih Tzu owners.
The bristles are strong enough to get rid of dirt and loose hair but also soft enough to not cause pain or irritation in the dog's skin.
A bristle brush can be used for short-haired, long-haired, hypoallergenic, and curly coats. It's also best for removing dirt and debris on your dog's coat.
Other great features of this brush include reaching down to the undercoat, and it's a great way to massage your dog's skin.
Comb
A comb can also give great benefits to Shih Tzus. It can help maintain that the Shih Tzu's coat is healthy and tangle-free.
Combs can help eliminate debris and loose hair, even down to the skin where it's hard to reach. Combs can also work side-by-side with other grooming tools like brushes and clippers.
You can even use it to style their hair. Do the classic top-knot or pigtails using a comb and colorful hair ties!
Use a comb to maintain your Shih Tzu's beautiful look.
Pin Brush
Next, the pin brush is great for almost all types of coats.
It can be used for daily brushing, removing tiny knots and mats, massaging, and freeing tangles.
It is also considered one of the most common grooming tools for Shih Tzus.
Pin brushes have bristles spaced close together, ensuring that your pup is tangle-free.
The grip is also firm, so it prevents the brush from slipping. This brush is made to reach deep into the dog's coat.
De-shedder Brush
Shedding season is quite a hassle for some pet owners, but fortunately, Shih Tzus only sheds minimally.
The de-shedder brush is best for, of course, reducing shedding and removing old or damaged fur.
If it's your dog's shedding season, it's best to use it regularly or daily. Thrice a week is fine if it's non-shedding seasons.
Double-sided Brush
Double-sided brushes are used for short, long, double-coated, hypoallergenic, wire-haired, and curly-coated dogs.
It is best used to remove mats, debris, or dirt and prevent knots and tangles.
6 Best Brushes For Shih Tzus
Before we get into our top choices of the best brushes for Shih Tzus, I would recommend using a pin brush for long-haired adult Shih Tzus.
While for the short-haired ones, try a slicker brush to eliminate debris and loose strands without causing harm to your pet.
A slicker brush can also help remove mats and tangles.
You can check out these brush recommendations from fellow Shih Tzu owners and professional dog groomers.
1
Hartz Groomer's Deshedding Slicker Dog Brush
Price: $7.50
If you've recently adopted a Shih Tzu puppy, you might want to treasure these moments because time flies.
As your puppy grows, their hair will transform from a soft puppy coat into their adult coat.
The Hartz Groomer's Slicker Brush is a crucial brush to add to your grooming tools during this phase.
A slicker brush is excellent for eliminating tangles and knots and can help remove any loose fur from the undercoat.
The brush's bristles are coated at the tips to ensure that it can't harm your dog and to make the experience comfortable and enjoyable.
The Hartz Groomer's Slicker Brush is one of the best brushes for Shih Tzus because of its unique shape.
With this brush, you can groom hard-to-reach spots like in the hindquarters.
It's also the perfect fit for most adult hands. However, this brush doesn't have a quick-release button.
You must manually clean and remove the hair for your next grooming session.
This slicker brush also has a variation designed for small dogs and cats.
2
PETPAWJOY Pin Brush
Price: $14.99
If you've recently adopted a Shih Tzu puppy, it's best advised to start grooming early so that he can get familiarized with the sensation and be comfortable with the process while he is still young.
The PETPAWJOY Pin Brush is a great tool to help maintain your Shih Tzu's coat. It is also smaller, perfect for small puppies like the Shih Tzus.
The brush is rotatable, meaning you can adjust the direction of the pins depending on the preferred grooming goal.
Just push the pins upward to give a gentle massage as you brush your Shih Tzu.
Push the pins towards a downward shape to get rid of dead hair and debris.
3
Coastal Pet Safari Dog De-Matting Comb
Price: $13.99
Coastal Pet Safari Dog De-Matting Comb is a comb that is great for pets with medium to long hair.
This comb can help remove matted hair.
It is also very suitable for right- or left-handed owners since it has reversible blades.
The comb handle has an ergonomic design that helps pet owners with their grip.
If your Shih Tzu is prone to matting, the Coastal Pet Safari Dog De-Matting Comb is a must-have.
It has serrated stainless steel blades for removing matted hair and tangles easily.
There are a lot of Shih Tzu owners that use this comb, and almost all of them give positive reviews.
4
Burt’s Bees Double Sided Pin Bristle Dog Brush
Price: $11.79
Burt's Bees Double-Sided Pin and Bristle Brush is perfect for puppies and small-sized dogs of all ages.
The pin brush side can help with knots, tangles, dander, and dirt, while the bristle smooths and shines your Shih Tzu's hair.
This double-sided dog brush is made of bamboo and other recycled materials, making it one of the most eco-friendly brushes for dogs.
5
FURminator Small Dog Undercoat DeShedding Tool
Price: $28
The FURminator is also one of the best deshedding brushes for Shih Tzus.
Furminator is one of the leading companies regarding grooming tools.
The FURminator Small Dog Undercoat DeShedding Tool features a stainless-steed edge with jagged teeth that gather loose hair from the Shih Tzu's undercoat without damaging the dog's topcoat or skin.
This brush will be comfortable and will do its job. It also features a button called the “FURejector,” which easily releases the collected hair from your Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzus can have debris and dead hairs in their coats, and pet owners must ensure their dogs are clean and healthy.
6
ConairPRO Dog & Cat Dog Brush for Shedding
Price: $11.49
Lastly, you'll need an excellent undercoat rake.
It is considered one of the best brushes for Shih Tzus and other double-coated dogs.
Even though Shih Tzus shed minimally, they still get loose hair from the undercoat. And this rake works wonders to catch loose hair.
The ConairPRO Dog Undercoat Rake can help you eliminate dander, debris, dead skin, and hair.
The brush is specifically made for dogs with long and thick coats. It features short, stainless-steel pins that penetrate the fur to get rid of loose hair and debris.
It is an excellent tool for deep cleaning, making your Shih Tzu's coat fresh and clean.
However, this specific brush works best for occasional use only. Using this rake too often can cause irritation and harm to the dog's skin.
Why Learn How to Groom Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are amazing family companions. They are friendly, affectionate, and happy dogs.
They get along well with everyone! They like to be sweet and gentle with humans of any age or other pets.
Shih Tzu's beautiful coat only sheds minimally, which is great for pet owners who live with a sibling, parents, or other people with allergies.
But can't I just bring my Shih Tzu to a groomer?
Professional groomers are not cheap, and a Shih Tzu's silky long hair must be regularly groomed to prevent tangles and matting.
Shih Tzus must also be trimmed, especially during summer or warm seasons.
Things to Consider When Buying
There are several things to consider regarding buying the best dog brush for Shih Tzus.
You should check out the brush's pins and handle and see if it's easy to clean.
Pins
Check for the pins' density. Don't pick brushes with too close together and dense pins, as they can irritate or damage your dog's skin.
Buy a brush the pins are stainless steel and polished with rounded tips to ensure that your pup is comfortable during the grooming process.
Don't get pins that are too sharp or pins that bend. Test it first in your hand and feel if it's comfortable.
Handle
One of the most important things to consider when buying a dog brush is its handle. Of course, you'll be holding the brush during grooming.
Choose a brush that is comfortable and easy to use.
Get one with an ergonomic design that fits perfectly in your hand. Brushes that are made of anti-slip material are also a plus.
Cleaning
Probably the most important factor is choosing a dog brush that can effectively clean your pup.
Pick a brush with retractable pins and a grill that stays put to ensure there won't be any pins jamming the cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I brush my Shih Tzu daily?
Shih Tzus have long, thick hair. Even though they shed minimally, they still require regular grooming.
It's best advised to brush your Shih Tzu daily to prevent mats and tangles.
Can I use a human conditioner on my Shih Tzu?
No, avoid using human conditioner on dogs as it can be too heavy and damage or irritate their skin.
Use dog conditioners since they are specifically much lighter so that they can be gentle on dog skins.
How many times can I bathe my Shih Tzu puppy?
You can bathe your Shih Tzu puppy every three weeks. Waiting too long to wash your pet can cause them to smell bad.
On the other hand, washing a puppy too often can eliminate their natural body oils too fast and dry out their skin.
Best Brushes for Shih Tzus: Before You Go…
Grooming your Shih Tzu can go a long way. Together with training and exercise, grooming is an essential aspect of owning a dog.
Grooming can not only help with your Shih Tzu's health and aesthetics, but your Shih Tzu can also be your bonding time.
The proper brush can help make the grooming process easy, effective, and comfortable for both of you.
Nowadays, there are so many different brands and types of dog brushes on the market it can be a hassle to choose which is the correct brush for Shih Tzus.
This blog can be your ultimate guide when it comes to choosing the best brushes for Shih Tzus.
Check out these brushes to ensure that your dog is clean and healthy.
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