How to Groom a Shih Tzu at Home (and Yorkies Too)
Updated October 27, 2026
This guide is for owners of shih tzus, Yorkshire terriers and Maltese who want to keep a long, silky coat comfortable and tangle-free at home. It covers puppy cut vs long coat, brushing, the topknot and eyes, face and ears, sanitary trims, paws, nails, bathing, mats, teeth and when a groomer is the better choice.
The short answer: brush a long-coated shih tzu every day (every other day at the very least), in layers down to the skin, then check your work with a steel comb. Comb the mustache and topknot daily and keep hair out of the eyes with a small band or a short trim. Bathe every three to four weeks, only when the coat is free of mats, and book a groomer every four to six weeks if you keep your dog in a puppy cut. Brush teeth daily, because small breeds are prone to dental disease.
How we wrote this: the advice comes from the veterinary and animal welfare sources linked in the text. Product mentions use brand specs and named, linked reviews. We have not tested these products ourselves, and this page has no affiliate links.
Why shih tzu and Yorkie coats need daily care
Shih tzus, Yorkies and Maltese grow long hair that keeps growing until it is cut, which is why groomers usually call it hair rather than fur. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America describes the Yorkie coat as a single layer with no undercoat, very similar to human hair (YTCA). The shih tzu has a long double coat, and the AKC says a long-coated shih tzu should be brushed daily to prevent mats and tangles.
Loose hair and debris stay in these coats and tangle unless brushed out.
Puppy cut vs long coat
You do not have to keep a full, floor-length coat. The American Shih Tzu Club says a fully coated shih tzu takes more time to maintain than one in a pet clip, and that a shorter cut can make more sense for active dogs, because long hair picks up leaves, dirt and anything else on the ground.
| Long coat | Puppy cut (pet trim) | |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | Daily, in layers to the skin | Several times a week; a short Yorkie puppy cut may need only weekly brushing (PetMD) |
| Groomer visits | For trims and tidy-ups as needed | About every four to six weeks (AKC) |
| Face | Topknot banded up daily | Hair over the eyes kept short |
Brushing and line combing, step by step
The American Shih Tzu Club recommends brushing the coat in layers, starting with the feet, legs and belly and working up to the center of the back (ASTC, grooming the companion dog). This is line brushing. The club also suggests misting the coat lightly first with water and a little cream rinse, and the American Maltese Association gives the same tip with diluted coat conditioner, to cut breakage and static (AMA). The AKC adds: do not brush a dirty coat.
- Set your dog on a non-slip surface. For the belly, armpits and inner legs, the ASTC suggests laying your dog on its back in your lap (ASTC).
- Mist a small section with diluted conditioner or detangler.
- Start at a back foot. Hold the hair above up out of the way so you see a line of skin, and brush the hair below it down and away with light strokes of a pin or slicker brush.
- Drop a thin new layer and repeat, working up the leg, then the body, toward the spine.
- Run a steel comb through each finished section, from the skin out. If the comb catches, you have found a tangle the brush missed.
- Work small tangles apart with your fingers and the end of the comb, holding the hair near the skin so you do not pull. The YTCA advises working mats out gently with your fingers first, never pulling them out.
- Finish with the ears, tail, chest, mustache and topknot.
Expect more tangles during the coat change: the ASTC says shih tzu puppies change coat at about ten to twelve months, and the AKC says Yorkies go from puppy coat to adult coat between about 6 and 18 months. For more on choosing brushes, see our guide to dog brushes by coat type.
Topknot and the eye area
Hair falling into the eyes causes irritation. The AKC says the hair on top of a shih tzu's head should either be cut short or kept in a topknot, that the mustache and topknot need daily combing, and that the corners of the eyes should be cleaned daily with a damp cloth.
A simple everyday topknot
The ASTC suggests a very small latex band (orthodontic or topknot bands work best) and notes that a topknot can be tied up from around five months of age (ASTC casual topknots). An ASTC bulletin article on face staining warns against wrapping bands too tightly and says to loosen the hair so it does not pull on the face or scalp (ASTC bulletin). Reband it daily.
Tear staining
Reddish-brown staining under the eyes is common in these breeds. VCA explains that an overflow of tears (epiphora) is a symptom, not a disease, and can come from poor drainage or extra tear production, sometimes because hair around the eyes blocks the tear ducts (VCA). Keeping the area clean and dry helps: wipe the eye corners daily with a damp cloth or a pet eye wipe (outside the eye only) and keep the hair there short or banded away.
Heavy or colored discharge, squinting, redness, a sudden increase in tearing or a constantly wet, smelly face are reasons to see your vet, not to wipe more. VCA advises not using any product for tear staining without asking your vet first, and the ASTC passes on an FDA warning about tear stain removers that contained the antibiotic tylosin, which is not approved for dogs (ASTC).
Face and ears
The ASTC notes that if the hair under the eyes is not kept short and clean, a shih tzu's face can start to smell, and suggests daily cleaning with a damp cloth (ASTC).
Check the ears weekly. PetMD suggests cleaning them only if they are dirty, and the AKC Yorkie article recommends a dog ear cleaner and cotton balls at bath time, not cotton swabs. The ASTC says black, yellow or brown debris is a sign of infection that needs your vet. Ask your groomer or vet before removing any hair from the ear canal. Yorkies in a short trim often have the top third of the ear tipped with a trimmer, as the YTCA describes. See how to clean dog ears.
Sanitary trim
Long hair around the rear and belly catches urine and stool and mats quickly, and the AKC lists the sanitary area with the feet and ears as places to keep trimmed. A small, quiet trimmer is the safest home tool: keep the blade flat and the skin taut, and do not go close to the skin. If your dog wriggles, leave this area to a groomer.
Paws and nails
Hair between the pads mats and can make the feet sore; the ASTC says to trim it level with the pads, and the YTCA says trimmed pads help prevent slipping. See how to trim dog paw hair for the method.
For nails, the ASTC advises taking a small amount off weekly rather than waiting until the nails are long (ASTC nail clipping). It warns that dewclaws can curl into the pad, and suggests keeping styptic powder nearby. Our guide on how to trim dog nails covers the quick and dark nails.
Bathing: how often and how
The AKC suggests bathing a shih tzu about every three or four weeks, and the ASTC says no shih tzu should go more than about three weeks between baths (ASTC). For Yorkies, the YTCA says every week or two, while PetMD says no more often than every two weeks, so as not to strip natural oils.
- Brush and comb the coat out completely first. The ASTC warns that water sets mats in, making them almost impossible to remove.
- Use a dog shampoo, never human shampoo or soap, which the ASTC notes is pH-balanced for people (ASTC).
- Squeeze shampoo through the coat; scrubbing in circles tangles long hair.
- Rinse, then rinse again; the YTCA stresses getting every bit of soap out. Follow with a conditioner.
- Blot with a towel, then dry while brushing, as the American Maltese Association describes. Do not let a long coat air-dry in a tangle.
See how to bathe a dog for setup and drying.
Mats: what to do
Work small tangles out with detangling spray, fingers and a comb. Tight mats are a different job.
Never cut mats out with scissors. The ASPCA warns that a pet can jerk and suffer a serious cut, and that even mild mats can irritate the skin and lead to infected sores. If a mat will not brush out, take your dog to a groomer or vet to have it clipped out safely.
When a groomer is the better choice
- The coat is matted close to the skin, or matted all over.
- You want a full haircut with even lengths; the AKC suggests professional grooming every four to six weeks for shih tzus in a puppy clip and for Yorkies.
- Your dog will not hold still near the face, ears or rear.
Dental care in small breeds
PetMD lists Yorkies, shih tzus and Maltese among breeds prone to dental disease, because they fit 42 teeth into a small mouth, and it calls daily brushing the gold standard. Small breeds also often keep baby teeth, which PetMD says should be gone by three to seven months, so have your vet check a puppy's mouth then (PetMD). Our guide on how to brush dog teeth shows how to start.
Yorkshire terriers and Maltese: what is different
Yorkies
The YTCA notes that some Yorkies have a fine cotton coat that mats easily and others a thick woolly coat that may need brushing twice a day. For most companion Yorkies, a pet trim every four to six weeks (AKC) is far easier than a show coat. Use a conditioning spray while brushing, keep eye hair pulled back or short, as PetMD advises, and clean the eye corners daily if your Yorkie tears a lot.
Maltese
The American Maltese Association says the long white coat is easy to keep with a daily once-over with a pin brush or steel comb, a shampoo for white dogs and a topknot or short trim around the eyes.
Our picks
Chris Christensen 7.5" Fine/Coarse Greyhound-Style Buttercomb #000
Sources: specs, NBC Select
A steel comb with a coarse end (8 teeth per inch) and a fine end (11 teeth per inch), which suits the line combing check after brushing. The brand says its rounded teeth are designed to glide without snagging and reduce breakage.
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush, Large
A slicker with 27mm stainless steel pins on a flexible cushion pad, long enough to reach down into a full coat. It also comes in Medium and Baby G sizes. Use light strokes, since slicker pins can cause brush burn if you press hard.
The Stuff Conditioner & Detangler, Ready to Use, 16 oz
Sources: specs, NBC Select
A leave-in spray the brand says conditions the coat and removes and prevents tangles. Spray it into the wet coat after bathing, or onto mats to loosen them before combing. Dogs only; keep it out of the eyes.
Earthbath Hypoallergenic Eye Wipes, 30 Count
Pre-moistened wipes labeled hypoallergenic, fragrance free and alcohol free, which the brand says clean and remove tear stains. They are for use around the outside of the eyes only, on dogs and cats over 6 weeks old.
oneisall X2N5 Dog Clippers and Paw Trimmer Kit
Sources: specs, BestReviews
A cordless clipper paired with the N5, a compact trimmer for paws, ears and face, rated at about 55 to 60 dB for sound-sensitive pets. Check the small blade often, since it warms up fast.
Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.
Mistakes to avoid
- Brushing only the top of the coat, so mats build underneath.
- Bathing before the mats are out.
- Banding the topknot so tight it pulls the skin.
- Cutting mats out with scissors.
- Using human shampoo or toothpaste.
FAQ
How often should a shih tzu be groomed?
Brush and comb at home daily, or every other day at the least, and bathe every three to four weeks. A shih tzu in a puppy cut usually needs a professional groom every four to six weeks, per the AKC.
What is the easiest haircut for a shih tzu?
A puppy cut (pet trim), which keeps the coat short all over. It needs less brushing but still needs regular groomer visits.
Can I groom my Yorkie at home?
Yes, most of it: brushing, combing, baths, eye cleaning, nails and teeth. Many owners leave the full haircut to a groomer.
How do I get rid of tear stains on my shih tzu?
Wipe the eye corners daily, keep the area dry and keep hair out of the eyes. Ask your vet before using any tear stain product.
Should I shave my shih tzu if the coat is matted?
Not yourself. A groomer or vet can clip a matted coat safely, which the ASPCA says gives quick relief.
Do Yorkies have hair or fur?
Hair. The YTCA says the Yorkie coat has one layer and no undercoat and is very similar to human hair.
For more home grooming routines, browse all our grooming guides.