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Quick Access To The Best Brushes For Shih Tzus ?
| Editors Pick | Brand |
| Best Overall | The Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush |
| Best Runner Up | The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush |
| Best Budget | The FURminator Brush |
| Best Under $15 | The Glendan Dog Brush |
| Best Detangler For Shih Tzu | The Poodle Pet Dematting Rake |
Dogs are our best friends. They provide us with so much love and joy, as well as a sense of security when we’re feeling down. The least we can do is keep their skin and coat clean and healthy! And the best way to do that is by finding the perfect brush for a shih tzu and then building a good brushing routine.
Often, the challenge with picking a brush for your pup is you don’t know which is going to give you the best result possible, all the while not being irritating for your doggo.
After looking at dozens upon dozens of different brushes we’re confident that the 12 listed below are the best of the best for a shih tzu.
We picked brushes at a wide variety of price ranges, ones that have certain specialties, and ones that are built to last.
Let’s dive in to our best overall brush pick for a shih tzu, shall we?
Table of Contents
Top 12 Best Brushes For Shih Tzus
Best Overall: The Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush
Our pick for the best overall brush for a shih tzu is the Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush. If you’re looking to groom your pup like a professional, this brush is a must have in your home.
This brush is widely considered the best of the best by groomers as well as other dog owners. It’s a considerably durable brush as well as being very effective at detangling and smoothing out their coat.
The pad is cushioned so the pins can move more freely with your dog’s coat as you give them a good brushing. This helps it stay comfortable for your pup being brushed, even if they have more sensitive skin.
It’s pins are longer than most other slicker brushes which enables you to work through the toughest of tangles. It also has a rubber handle to give you maximum control while brushing.
Something quite a few people mentioned after using this brush was that it helped them speed up how long it took to groom their pup while still doing a good job.
One person mentioned that their dog who had notoriously not liked being brushed began to enjoy brush time with this brush.
Almost 90% of people gave the brush 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, which is quite the accomplishment. When you get thousands of reviews it’s not too common that most people agree the product is great.
Key Features:
- Made with larger pins to help grip matting and tangles
- Has a cushioned pad for better brushing function
- Ergonomic rubber handle to help make your job easier
Best Runner Up: The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is our pick for the best runner up brush for a shih tzu.
This brush is great for sensitive skinned pups or for dogs that aren’t particularly fond of brush time.
It’s bristles are designed to effectively get deep into your pups coat and collect all their loose fur in their undercoat as well as their topcoat. All without being painful on their skin.
When you’re done, or when your brush is filled with hair, simply click the button on the back of the brush to retract the bristles and easily clean up all the mess.
The handle on this brush is designed with an anti-slip grip that enables you to groom your pup comfortably.
It’s important for pups to have healthy skin & coats and this brush makes it easy.
People who’ve bought and used this brush said that they felt their dog enjoyed the brushing experience and how gentle it was on their pup. People also mentioned how much they loved the retractable bristles in making clean-up after grooming quick and painless.
Key Features:
- Great for sensitive skinned dogs
- Made with anti-slip grip on handle
- Retractable bristles make it super easy to clean
Best Budget: The FURminator Brush
Our pick for the best budget brush for a shih tzu is the FURminator Brush. It’s a lightweight brush that does a great job at taking care of mats and tangles.
The brush really lives up to its name. The pins are arranged in a way to maximize the amount of fur it collects while being gentle on your pup’s skin.
It enables you to smooth out stubborn knots without having to spend a super long time focusing on one particular area.
It’s an especially good brush for pups with medium to long hair because it doesn’t pull on their hair and instead gathers all the excess loose fur ready to come out.
If you have a scruffy pup on your hands and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on grooming equipment for your pup, this is a good brush pick for you.
Key Features:
- Gets rid of mats and tangling without painful pulling
- Designed to be gentle on their skin
- Made for dogs with curly locks
Best Under $15: The Glendan Dog Brush
If you’re looking to start regularly grooming your shih tzu without having to break the bank and a good quality brush, the Glendan Dog Brush is a great option.
This brush makes tackling knots or matted fur as efficient and effortless as possible. No one likes getting a sore back and/or hand from a brushing session that went on far too long!
The rotatable head of the brush enables you to take care of areas that need a finer touch. You’ll be able to customise the angle brush for whatever needs your pup has.
The brush has a super simple design, but you’d be amazed at what you can get done with a few simple materials.
Key Features:
- Helps remove matting, dander and trapped dirt
- Great for both long and short hair
- Handle is made with comfort-grip features
Best Detangler For Shih Tzu: The Poodle Pet Dematting Rake
Don’t let the name deceive you, the Poodle Pet Dematting Rake is great for a shih tzu as well.
No matter how scruffy your pup may be, this brush is designed to gently and effectively take care of matted fur, knots or tough tangles.
The handle is made from heavy duty rubber and wavy ridges that increase your comfort while holding the brush as well as grip. When taking care of knots it’s important your brush doesn’t slip in your hand. You don’t want to accidentally hurt your furry friend, or yourself!
Key Features:
- Designed specifically to gently get rid of tangles, knots and matted spots
- Reaches deep into thick hair to effectively break up bunches
- Made with quality material to last the test of time
Other Top-Rated Picks
The Gorilla Grip Rake Brush
No matter how tangled or knotted an area is on your shih tzu, the Gorilla Grip Rake Brush can tackle the toughest of tangles.
It’s designed for detangling as well as deshedding. The handle is slip resistant so you’ll be able to remain in control when taking care of pesky knots.
The two combs are for separate tasks. One helps you collect the maximum amount of hair while the other gives their back a nice massage as you take care of knots and tangles.
Key Features:
- Great for deshedding and detangling
- Made with stainless steel combs
- Comfortable handle for long & short brushing sessions
The MalsiPree 2-in-1 Deshedding Tool
The MalsiPree Deshedding Tool specialises in taking care of stubborn tangles as well as ridding your pup of loose fur that would otherwise clutter your home.
It’s 22 toothed rake tackles knots and matting without being painful for your pup. The other portion of the brush has 90 teeth and helps thin out their coat while collecting any loose, ready to fall out fur.
The sides of the teeth are rounded to ensure your pup is safe and won’t get scratched or harmed while you’re grooming them.
The handle is made to be soft while also easy to maintain your grip so you’re able to stay in full control as you brush them.
Key Features:
- Takes care of knots & tangles as well as shedding
- Teeth are rounded to protect your dog’s skin and provide a massage
- Designed for medium & long haired dogs
The FURminator Deshedding Tool
The FURminator Deshedding Tool is gentle on your pups skin while being great at collecting loose/dead hair.
If your pup is prone to knotting or tangling the brush has two blades that easily straighten them out without being painful for them.
If you’ve ever had trouble collecting dead fur from their topcoat and their undercoat you won’t have that issue anymore with this brush. It does a great job at collecting the most amount of loose hair without yanking or pulling on their coat.
It’s handle stays comfortable regardless of how long you’re brushing your pup to help you stay in control the entire grooming session.
Key Features:
- Helps safely remove matted fur
- Effectively gets to the undercoat to get rid of loose hair
- Comfortable handle design to make brushing easier on you
The Safari Pin and Bristle Dog Brush
The Safari Pin and Bristle Dog Brush helps make challenging grooming sessions a thing of the past.
It’s a versatile brush that helps you massage their skin and remove unwanted tangles while also collecting loose hair and any dirt/debris in their coat.
It has organic bristle hair that does a good job at fluffing up their coat as well as spreading their natural skin oils. Properly distributing these oils means your pup will have strong, healthy skin which in turn will make their coat soft and shiny.
Key Features:
- 2-in-1 pin and bristle brush
- Helps spread natural oils to promote a clean, shiny coat
- Great for everyday maintenance brushing
The Dog Grooming Glove
The Dog Grooming Glove is a great way to make your pup think they’re just getting some lovin’ while you collect all their loose/dead hair.
Simply slide your hand in the glove and give your pup a good rub down. The rubber nubs give your doggo a gentle massage while you make sure their shedding stays at bay.
If other brush’s pins or bristles are too much for your furry friend’s skin then this brush will be a great choice for your sensitive skinned pup.
It’s a great brush for a young pup or an older doggo with more delicate skin.
Key Features:
- Tips on the glove provide a relaxing massage when brushing
- More relaxed grooming than traditional brushes & combs
- Excess hair sticks to glove making collecting and throwing away hair simple
The HappyDogz Slicker Brush
If your pup has sensitive skin the HappyDogz Slicker Brush will make them a HappyPup.
The brush’s pins are gentle on your pup’s skin while also being strong enough to take care of pesky knots. You’ll be able to collect loose/dead fur and debris while dematting their coat without having to worry if they’re in pain or not.
It seems that the brush was made with both you and your pup in mind. The brush’s ergonomic, easy-grip handle makes it comfortable for you to use no matter how long you need and your pup gets to enjoy an easy-going back scratch.
This gentle brush will help get your pup looking show-dog ready while getting rid of any stubborn mats or tangles.
Key Features:
- Bristles are gentle on your dog but firm enough to get out tough knots
- Comfortable & durable to use
- Great for both thin and thick coats for dogs with sensitive skin
The GoPets Double Sided Pin & Bristle Brush
The GoPets Double Sided Brush is great for short, medium or long haired pups. No matter what coat length they have, this brush will be able to give them a pleasant grooming session.
It has rounded edges to give the brush a nice smooth design and a non-slip handle so you can groom for as long as you need without the brush being bothersome to you.
The bristle side of the brush removes dirt, straightens out any tangles and collects loose hairs that pesky pests like to hide in.
The pin side enables you to give your pup a nice skin massage while detangling any bunches of fur they might have.
Key Features:
- 2-in-1 multi purpose brush
- Gentle enough for dogs who don’t love being groomed
- Non-slip handle for more confident brushing
FAQs
What Kind Of Brush For A Shih Tzu Puppy?
Any brush that can be used on an older shih tzu can also be used on a pup as well. It’s just a matter of how delicate/careful you’re being when brushing to cater to their sensitive skin.
Which means a slicker brush is still the go-to brush for your shih tzu.
However, it’s best to have a variety of brushes in your home to create a more holistic grooming experience.
Having a rake brush, bristle brush and pin brush as well will allow you to use the proper brush for whatever situation comes up.
Have a stubborn knot that needs taking care of? A rake brush will be what you want.
Want to finish off your brushing session by fluffing up their coat and spreading their natural skin oils? You’ll want to grab a bristle brush.
If you’re only looking to get one brush though for your shih tzu pup, our best overall and best runner up picks will serve you well.
Those were the Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush & the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush in case you don’t feel like scrolling back up :-).
How Do You Brush A Shih Tzu?
Before getting into the bulk of their brushing, take a quick look to see if they’re any tangles or matted areas that need to be taken care of first. Their underbelly, armpits, tail and ears are areas that are more prone to matting that you should look at.
Once the matts & knots are taken care of, if there were any, you’ll want to start brushing out their back. Starting from their neck and gradually moving toward their bum. It’s important that you go with the grain of their hair and not against it.
Don’t forget their tail!
Now you’re ready to tackle their legs. Make sure to do small strokes and move from the top of their leg downward to their paw.
Once their body and legs are finished you’re ready for their head, ears and face! Be sure to take a little extra time here so they don’t make any sudden movements where you might accidentally hurt them.
How Often Should You Brush A Shih Tzu?
Thankfully, shih tzus don’t shed as much as other breeds so the need to groom them regularly is for different reasons.
While brushing everyday might be a little excessive, brushing at least 3 times a week is a good general rule of thumb.
The reasons why brushing your pup regularly is good outside of controlling their shedding are, their grooming sessions serve as a health exam, it’s additional bonding time, and to spread their natural skin oils.
When you’re giving your pup a good rub down while brushing them you get to inspect their body. Are there any worrisome bumps/lumps?
Do they have any cuts you never noticed until you looked closely? Finding these things earlier rather than later means they can get the necessary treatment to keep them healthy.
Also, when things get busy in life, unfortunately, the family dog usually gets the short end of the stick when it comes to your time. Building a good brushing routine will help give you some additional bonding time that I’m sure both of you would appreciate.
Lastly, distribution of their natural skin oils. Their skin produces healthy, natural oils that when spread around their body help promote healthy skin which in turn helps keep their coat healthy as well.
Final Thoughts
There we go! Our complete list of the best brushes for shih tzus.
We hope our short list of brushes helps reduce the amount you’re considering. It can be frustrating seeing 50+ brush options and not knowing which one to bring home.
Happy brushing!
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