Shih Tzu Chihuahua mixes, also known as Shichis, are small, adorable dogs that are a cross between the Shih Tzu and the Chihuahua. They are known for their long, silky hair and their playful personalities.
If you have a Shichi, you know that they require regular grooming to keep their hair looking its best and to prevent mats and tangles. Here is a guide on how to groom a Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix:
1. Bathe Your Shichi
The first step in grooming your Shichi is to bathe them. You can bathe your Shichi at home or take them to a professional groomer. If you bathe your Shichi at home, be sure to use a mild shampoo and conditioner that is designed for dogs.
2. Brush Your Shichi’s Hair
Once your Shichi is clean, you need to brush their hair. Brushing your Shichi’s hair helps to remove mats and tangles, and it also distributes the natural oils in their fur, which helps to keep their hair healthy.
3. Trim Your Shichi’s Nails
Long nails can be uncomfortable for your Shichi and can even cause them to break their nails. To trim your Shichi’s nails, you will need a pair of dog nail clippers. Be sure to trim your Shichi’s nails in a straight line, and avoid cutting too close to the quick, which is the pink part of the nail that contains the blood vessels and nerves.
4. Clean Your Shichi’s Ears
Shichis are prone to ear infections, so it is important to clean their ears regularly. To clean your Shichi’s ears, you will need a cotton ball and some ear cleaning solution. Be sure to wipe the inside of your Shichi’s ears gently, and avoid getting any of the cleaning solution into their ear canal.
5. Floss Your Shichi’s Teeth
Just like humans, dogs can get plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth, which can lead to gum disease. To prevent gum disease, you need to brush your Shichi’s teeth regularly. You can buy a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs.
6. Trim Your Shichi’s Hair Around Their Eyes and Genitals
Long hair around your Shichi’s eyes and genitals can be uncomfortable for them and can also make it difficult for them to see and go to the bathroom. To trim your Shichi’s hair around their eyes and genitals, you will need a pair of small scissors. Be sure to be very careful when trimming your Shichi’s hair around their eyes, as you do not want to cut them.
7. Deshed Your Shichi
Shichis are double-coated dogs, which means that they have a thick undercoat and a longer outer coat. During the spring and fall, Shichis will shed their undercoat. To help reduce the amount of shedding, you can deshed your Shichi with a deshedding tool.
8. Brush Your Shichi’s Teeth Regularly
As mentioned above, it is important to brush your Shichi’s teeth regularly to prevent gum disease. You can brush your Shichi’s teeth at home with a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs.
9. Take Your Shichi to the Groomer for Professional Grooming
If you do not have the time or the skills to groom your Shichi yourself, you can take them to a professional groomer. A professional groomer will be able to bathe, brush, trim, and deshed your Shichi, and they will also be able to provide other services such as nail trimming and ear cleaning.
10. Enjoy Your Beautiful, Well-Groomed Shichi
With regular grooming, your Shichi will be a beautiful, well-groomed dog that you will be proud to show off.
Additional Tips
- If your Shichi is prone to mats, you can use a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner to help prevent them.
- You can also use a grooming glove to help brush your Shichi’s hair.
- If your Shichi is not used to being groomed, start by brushing them for a few minutes each day. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend brushing them until they are comfortable with it.
- Be sure to use positive reinforcement when grooming your Shichi. This will help them to associate grooming with positive experiences.
With a little time and effort, you can keep your Shichi looking their best.
