The Shih Tzu wears a long, dense hair coat that keeps growing and knots quietly, especially around the face, ears and legs. It is a hair-coat breed, not a poodle cross, and it rewards a groomer who knows how to keep the face soft, the eyes clear and the coat comfortable. We groom coats like this every day.
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A Shih Tzu has a hair coat rather than a shedding coat, so it behaves much like human hair: it grows long, stays dense, and doesn't drop out on its own. That flowing quality is what gives the breed its look, and it is also why the coat matts. Around the face and the top-knot, behind the heavy ears and down the legs, hair rubs and tangles until a brush stops passing through.
This is a hair-coat breed, not a poodle cross, and it asks for its own kind of attention. The face needs regular tidy work so hair stays out of the eyes, the top-knot needs shaping, and the ears and legs want a patient brush-out rather than a quick clip. We are known for poodle and oodle coats, and Shih Tzu is one of the hair-coat breeds we groom just as well, because the same skills carry straight across.
Coat-health first, with real attention to the face, the top-knot and the spots a Shih Tzu knots most, then finished to the look you actually asked for.
The rounded, soft-faced trim most Shih Tzu owners ask for, with the hair kept clear of the eyes. Prefer the classic long face and a tied top-knot? We shape that too, hand-scissored so it sits right and grows out kindly.
A proper wash and blow-dry, full brush-out, nails, ear clean, a sanitary trim and paw pads. On a hair coat these are the parts that prevent matting, so they are done every time, not on request.
A Full Groom for a clean, practical all-over length, a Style Trim for a hand-scissored shape, or the Asian Style for a rounder, plusher finish. Tell us the length you like and we'll match it.
Coat-health always comes before a fast finish. If the coat has matted, we work to what's kind for the dog rather than pulling knots that hurt, and we'll always talk you through it first.
Because the coat keeps growing, most Shih Tzu do best on a full groom every four to six weeks. Leave it longer and the face grows into the eyes and the coat matts at the ears and legs, which usually means a shorter, kinder cut rather than the length you were after.
Between grooms, a short daily brush around the face, ears and legs, plus a gentle wipe under the eyes, keeps knots and tear-staining from setting in. Busy weeks happen and the coat grows anyway, so if it has been a while, just bring them in and we'll get them comfortable again, no judgement. If keeping to a rhythm is the hard part, The Poodle Club books each groom in for you at a members' price.
A Shih Tzu is a small dog, usually four to eight kilos, so a Full Groom starts from $110, with the final price depending on size and coat condition and confirmed before we begin.
Full Groom
from $110
Bath, dry, full clip and tidy, nails, ears and sanitary. A clean all-over finish.
Style Trim
from $135
A hand-scissored, styled finish for owners who want the shape kept, not clipped short.
Asian Style
from $150
A rounder, fluffier, fuller look, scissored soft. The signature poodle-family finish.
A small deposit secures your booking. Full pricing for every size and service is on our services page.
Our studio is in Sunshine North, an easy drive for Shih Tzu owners right across Melbourne's western suburbs.
You'll find us at Warehouse 8/17 Third Avenue, Sunshine North. Directions and hours.
"Each groom is exactly as asked."
"Someone who truly understands poodles."
"Welcoming, friendly staff, we'll definitely return."
Every four to six weeks for a full groom keeps a Shih Tzu comfortable and the face clear of the eyes. Because it is a hair coat that keeps growing, a short daily brush around the face, ears and legs between visits stops matting from setting in.
Yes. We put the dog's comfort first, so a badly matted coat may need a shorter clip rather than a painful de-matting, particularly around the ears and legs where a Shih Tzu knots most. We always check the coat and talk you through the options before we start.
The teddy or puppy trim: a short, even body with a soft, rounded face and the hair kept out of the eyes. If you prefer the classic long look, we can keep the face long and tie a top-knot instead. Bring a photo and we'll match the length and shape.
We do, and an early, gentle first groom makes every groom after it easier, especially the face and ear work a Shih Tzu needs for life. We keep a puppy's first visit calm and unrushed so they learn the salon is a good place to be.
It depends on the length you want and the coat's condition, and we never rush a groom to fit the day. Expect a wash, blow-dry, full brush-out, the face and top-knot tidied, then the clip or scissor finish. We'll give you a realistic time when you book.
A Shih Tzu is a small dog, so a Full Groom starts from $110, a hand-scissored Style Trim from $135 and the plush Asian Style from $150. Final price depends on size and coat condition and is confirmed before we begin. Full pricing is on our services page.
A breed-specialist studio that grooms shih tzu coats every day. Book a time that suits you.
