Best Brush for a Shih Tzu
A Shih Tzu's coat is long, fine and prone to matting if it's left even a few days between brushes, so the right tool matters more for this breed than for a short-coated dog. A slicker brush and a metal comb, used together, handle most of what a Shih Tzu's coat needs day to day.
Why this coat mats so easily
The Shih Tzu's coat is a single long layer rather than a double coat with a coarser outer layer, which means there's nothing protecting it from tangling against itself, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar area where friction is highest.
Left too long between brushes, loose hair and everyday debris work themselves into mats close to the skin, which are uncomfortable to remove and sometimes need clipping out rather than brushing through.
Slicker brush versus metal comb
A slicker brush, with its fine, slightly angled pins, is good for working through the bulk of the coat and lifting loose hair before it has a chance to tangle. It's usually the first tool reached for in a daily routine.
A metal comb, run through afterwards, catches anything the slicker missed and is the better tool for checking sensitive areas like behind the ears and around the tail, where mats form first.
Building brushing into a routine
Short daily sessions work far better on this coat than an occasional long one, since mats that are caught early come out with a comb, while ones left for a week or more often need cutting out instead.
Many owners keep the coat trimmed shorter specifically to make daily brushing quicker and less of a battle, particularly if brushing every single day isn't realistic.
A quick once-over with your hands, feeling for small knots before they're visible, takes less than a minute and catches problems while they're still easy to comb out rather than after they've tightened into a proper mat.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Ancol Ergo Wooden Handle Slicker Brush
A stainless steel slicker brush on a wooden handle, for short, long, wiry and curly coats
From£6.99
Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades
High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.
From£37.99
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb: a SGL grooming comb for combing the coat
£8.79
Ancol Ergo Soft Bristle Brush
A soft bristle brush for dogs, for gentle grooming around the ears and face
£7.79
Ancol Ergo Grooming Glove
A rubber grooming glove for dogs, for removing loose hair on wet or dry coats
£9.79
Wahl Pet Grooming Scissors with Finger Rest
Stainless steel finishing scissors with ergonomic offset handles — perfect for tidying around eyes, ears, mouth, and paws.
£5.49
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Slicker Brush for Dogs — Detangling & De-shedding
An ergonomic slicker brush with anti-scratch pins that works through tangles and removes dead hair from top and undercoat.
From£9.99
Groom Professional Curved Soft Slicker Brush
A professional-grade curved slicker brush with soft pins, designed to groom delicate and soft-coated pets without discomfort.
From£8.99
Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb
A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.
From£8.99
Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush
A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.
£25.99
Common questions
- How often should I brush my Shih Tzu?
- Daily is ideal for a coat kept long, since mats form quickly and are far easier to remove when caught early. A shorter, clipped coat can usually manage on a less frequent brushing schedule.
- What's the difference between a slicker brush and a pin brush for a Shih Tzu?
- A slicker brush's fine, angled pins are better at lifting loose hair and working through early tangles, while a pin brush is gentler but less effective on established mats. Most owners find a slicker plus a metal comb covers this coat well.
- How do I remove a mat without hurting my Shih Tzu?
- Hold the base of the mat close to the skin to take the pressure off while you work it loose with a comb, rather than pulling straight from the tips. A mat that won't come apart safely is better clipped out by a groomer than forced through.
- Does keeping a Shih Tzu's coat short reduce how much brushing it needs?
- Yes, a shorter clip is far more forgiving between grooming sessions and is a popular choice for owners who can't manage daily brushing on a full-length coat.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.