Shih tzu's - can be a tricky dog to scissor!

[biddy3010]

When I first started grooming I asked an experienced Japanese groomer which dog she found the most difficult technically to groom - she said she thought the Shih Tzu was a very tricky dog to scissor. I now agree with her. I can groom Poodles and Bichons with ease but, a thick coated Shih Tzu can be a challenge, especially scissoring the legs so they look smooth and well scissored. I would really love some tips on these little beauties.

Thanks

[Debbiedogs]

Drop coats are different

The techniques are different for drop coats compared to fuzzy/curly coats.

One thing you basically do NOT do with a drop coat is comb it backwards before scissoring. You may lift OUT a bit, then let it start to fall back in place and then LIGHTLY scissor long strands, but drop coats are best done with a light touch with the coat lying the way it is going to lie. You can sometimes use a comb and either straight or thinning shears to check and adjust length, and there is a neat technique where you hold the hair in the comb at the angle you want and scissor. Also a technique where you use thinners and comb and move both towards the ends of the coat for a natural look.

On legs you can comb the coat down, then slightly comb out (not at a 90 degree angle, just about 45 degrees maybe) to see what is too long, and lightly scissor long pieces. On drop coats, LESS scissoring is what you need, you want a natural finish, not a "crisp" scissor because all the marks will show.

[D'tails]

They are my least favorite breed also. They have short legs, bowed legs, smashed faces, etc. I hate having to work into all of their little bodily crevices with my clippers and shears. Armpits, under eyes, etc. Some of them are like trying to groom a log on 3 inch legs, and many have coats that like to show every clipper line if you dont keep going over them.

[KarlaSnyder]

Yes, I agree. So many cowlicks, and coats of different textures make for a real challenge. I do lots of them and am rarely 100% satisfied with the groom. The clients are, tho, so that's what counts.

[Jedd]

Just watch that you don't mistake the tucked under tail hair for leg hair. A stubby tail is not a popular look around here.... so I've found.

[Lucy in the Sky]

Shih's and Maltese! And why do they have to hate having their legs clipped when you use a #4? I am about to tell my customers that my #4 broke and their dogs can only be done with 1/2 inch combs now. At least there is a little wiggle room in the scissoring on those lengths. When you take them short and have to try to scissor short, yuck!!!

[Mamabearwith2]

I Have The Answer.....

26 tooth blenders, Baby! Like I poste before in another thread. I used to hate grooming drop coats, until I got these.

[Smart-n-Pretty]

Just watch that you don't mistake the tucked under tail hair for leg hair. A stubby tail is not a popular look around here.... so I've found.

When I was a new groomer I was shaving the sanitary of a male dog only to find that it was a female dog who was fearful. I shaved 1/3 of her tail with a #10 before I realized it. BOY was her mom pissed!

[pooh13]

Shih's and Maltese! And why do they have to hate having their legs clipped when you use a #4? I am about to tell my customers that my #4 broke and their dogs can only be done with 1/2 inch combs now. At least there is a little wiggle room in the scissoring on those lengths. When you take them short and have to try to scissor short, yuck!!!

Have you considered using a #4 snap on comb for the legs of those dogs that give you grief about the blades but not the guard combs? it does create abslightly fluffier appearance than the blade but your going to scissor to refine anyways right?

[nuk]

I used to do a lamb cut hand scissor on a shih tzu... never again! she looked nice though, wish i'd taken pics of her