How to Wash, Comb, and Groom your Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu Breeds

Washing, Drying, and Styling the Dog

Thoroughly wet the dog and apply a good conditioning shampoo. Don't rub the coat  -  gently squeeze the shampoo through to the ends. Rinse thoroughly. A crème rinse can be used to prevent mats and tangles or to aid in removing any remaining knots. Dry the coat thoroughly. Left to dry on its own, a coat will tighten and become near impossible to detangle. Brush or comb a wet coat ONLY while using a blow dryer and only on the spot being dried. Brushing a wet coat breaks the hair and is uncomfortable for the dog.

Once dry, brush the dog with a slicker brush, and part the coat down the center of the back. Apply a spray dressing for hold. A Lhasa Apso has the topknot parted without bows for showing, but most owners opt to tie the long eyebrow hair of a Shih Tzu into one or two bows, in the center or near the ears. A pet option is to show their eyes by scissoring the topknot to about one inch all over and put the bows in the ears. The beard can be left alone or shortened to preference. A low maintenance puppy clip is done following the above procedures and using only scissors to trim the hair evenly one inch all over.

Brush both trims daily to keep the dog looking and feeling his best.

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