Grooming Your Maltese Shih tzu Puppies: Best Practices and Tips

Naja Yehia
Freshly groomed Maltese Shih Tzu puppy sitting on a floral blanket after a grooming session at Dog Love Tranmere
Professional Grooming Maltese Shih Tzu Tips Adelaide Boutique
Groomer Insights • Luxe Care • Puppy Glow-Ups

Grooming Your Maltese Shih Tzu Puppies: Best Practices and Tips

Let’s be real—the Maltese Shih Tzu (or "Malshi") is basically the unofficial mascot of Adelaide. They are sweet, smart, and have that "forever puppy" look we all adore. But as a professional groomer, I’ll let you in on a secret: that gorgeous, low-shedding coat is a full-time job!

At my Tranmere salon, I see these beauties every day. While they are technically "hypoallergenic," their hair can go from "princess" to "matted mess" in the blink of an eye. If you want your pup to look like they just stepped out of a Dog Love photoshoot, here are my professional best practices for keeping them fluffy, fresh, and mat-free.

Professional dog groomer brushing a Maltese Shih Tzu puppy at Dog Love boutique in Tranmere, Adelaide.
1

The "No-Mat" Mantra: Brushing & Combing

Grooming your Maltese Shih Tzu puppies is an essential part of their care routine. Regular brushing helps prevent matting and tangling, which can be uncomfortable and lead to skin irritation.

  • Daily is Best: Depending on your dog's coat type, you may need to brush daily or several times a week.
  • Pro Tools: When brushing, use a high-quality slicker brush or pin brush. Start at the top of the head and work your way down.
2

Managing Tear Stains

Malshis often have tear stains under their eyes. To fix this, keep the area around the eyes clean and dry. A daily wipe-down at home goes a long way in reducing staining.

Cleaning Maltese Shih Tzu tear stains at Dog Love boutique.
3

The 6-Week Rule

Your coat will stay bright and soft if it is bathed often and professionally groomed every six weeks. This maintains a neat and tidy appearance and keeps them comfortable in the Adelaide heat.

Perfectly groomed Maltese Shih Tzu puppy with a Teddy Bear Cut at Dog Love boutique.

Ready for a Professional Puppy Glow-Up?

Don't let the mats win! Book your Maltese Shih Tzu in for a premium grooming experience at our Tranmere boutique.

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Intensive FAQ: Caring for your Malshi

How often should I brush my Maltese Shih Tzu?
For a tangle-free coat, I recommend brushing every single day. At a minimum, aim for 3-4 times a week using a slicker brush and a metal comb.
What is the best haircut for this breed?
The "Puppy Cut" or "Teddy Bear Cut" is the most popular at our Tranmere salon. It keeps the hair at a manageable length while maintaining that cute, rounded look.
How do I prevent mats under the harness?
Always remove the harness after walks and give those "friction areas" a quick brush. Our Dog Love No Pull Harness is designed to be as gentle as possible on the coat!

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1 comment

thanks for this posting, very informative. What Clippers would you recomend to trim our Shih Tzu – Lhasa. I’d like to keep his coat reasonabley close and keep his “lambs legs” fuller. were in sydney and I’m currently looking at the Wahl web site. Thanks for your advise.

Rodney Riley

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