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The Shih Tzu's long, dense double coat is luxurious but high-maintenance, and the flat face with large eyes makes facial care a daily priority. Left long, the coat mats quickly; most pet owners keep it in a practical puppy clip. Eye and fold cleaning is just as important as coat care for this breed.
Coat group
Long-coated
Shedding
Low
Difficulty
High
Typical cost
$65–$100 full groom in SEQ
Professional grooming
Professional groom every 4–6 weeks
At-home brushing
Brush daily to the skin; the double coat mats readily
Coat type: Long, dense double coat with a flowing top coat and soft undercoat.
Unlike the single-coated Maltese, the Shih Tzu has a true double coat — a flowing outer coat over a softer undercoat — which gives more volume but also more matting potential. The undercoat shed hair gets trapped in the long topcoat and felts, especially around the legs, belly, armpits and behind the ears. Daily brushing and combing to the skin is essential for any length beyond a short clip.
Because the breed has a short muzzle and prominent eyes, hair growing from the top of the head falls straight into the eyes and can scratch the cornea or carry debris. Keeping the face hair trimmed short, or tied into a top-knot on longer coats, protects the eyes and keeps the dog comfortable. The eye area should be wiped daily to clear discharge.
A puppy clip — short and even all over with a rounded face — is the go-to for most SEQ Shih Tzu owners. It keeps the dog cool, slashes brushing time and avoids the relentless de-matting a long coat demands. The flat-faced structure also means baths and drying need care to keep water away from the nose and folds.
Puppy clip
Short, even length over the body with a soft rounded face. The most practical everyday style, keeping the dog cool and easy to maintain.
Top-knot (long coat)
Long flowing body coat with the head hair gathered into a top-knot to keep it out of the eyes. Traditional and elegant but demands daily brushing and care.
Teddy Bear / Rounded face trim
Body kept short with a fuller, rounded face and muzzle for a soft cuddly expression — very popular with families.
The Shih Tzu has a double coat, so there's an undercoat shedding into the long topcoat and felting it, whereas the Maltese is single-coated. That extra layer is why daily brushing right to the skin matters so much for a Shih Tzu in a longer style.
Either trim it short or tie it into a top-knot — what you want to avoid is long hair hanging into those big eyes, where it can scratch the cornea and trap debris. Many owners find a short rounded face trim the easiest solution.
Wipe under the eyes daily with a damp cloth to clear discharge, keep the face hair trimmed short, and check the eyes are clear and bright. If you notice redness, squinting or heavy weeping, it's worth a vet visit.
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🐾 Find a groomer near youThis guide is general grooming information only and is not a substitute for advice from a professional groomer or veterinarian. Coat care needs vary between individual dogs.