The long, silky coat the Shih Tzu is known for requires a great deal of grooming. Part of the Shih Tzu grooming process involves cleaning the face and eyes. When you know what you're doing, cleaning and trimming your pooch’s face is quick and simple.
Step 1
Clean your Shih Tzu’s eyes at least once a week. Over-the-counter eye cleaning cloths -- available at your local pet store or from an online retailer -- provide a simple, convenient means of removing the tear stains that often occur because of blocked ducts in their large eyes. Use a cotton ball and warm water to remove stubborn stains.
Step 2
Wash the hair on your fuzzy pup's face. Use a gentle shampoo that will not burn your baby's eyes or cause irritation. Rinse the face completely and pat it dry with a towel -- do not rub to dry. This may cause the fine hair of the Shih Tzu to mat or tangle.
Step 3
Brush the long and short hair on your Shih Tzu’s face with a pin brush that has no balls on the ends. The balls may cause matting and pull the hair out. Comb any mats left in her hair. Work from the ends of the hair toward the skin when removing mats.
Step 4
Trim facial hair and hair around the eyes with a pair of blunt-end scissors. Hold the hair out from the skin and trim the end off. Your personal preference should dictate the length you leave the facial hair. If you want a mustache look, cut the hair to about 1 inch around your dog’s nose and cheeks. For longer coats, blend the facial hair, including the eyebrows, into the coat.
