Shih Tzu Dog Grooming.
Shih tzus have a true long, double, hair-type coat that grows to the floor if you let it — and a flat face that needs a groomer paying attention. K-Pup grooms shih tzus one at a time in a quiet mobile trailer at your house: no crate time, no waiting room, no other dogs barking at a nervous little dog.
Cuts & Coat Care
From full coat to a clean puppy cut.
Almost every shih tzu owner we meet wants a manageable length that still looks like a shih tzu. Here's how the options actually differ. The breed standard is on the AKC Shih Tzu breed page.
Puppy Cut
One even length — usually half an inch to an inch — over the whole body, with a rounded head. It's the most popular shih tzu trim for good reason: comfortable, easy to brush, and it still frames that face.
Teddy Bear Trim
Slightly longer than a puppy cut, with a fuller, rounder head and muzzle. Softer look, a little more brushing at home. Great for owners who want fluff without a floor-length coat.
Full Coat & Topknot
The traditional long coat with the hair tied up out of the eyes. Beautiful, and a genuine daily commitment — we're happy to maintain it, and we'll be straight with you about what it takes.
Face, Feet & Sanitary Only
A quick tidy between full grooms: eye area cleared, muzzle trimmed, pads and feet cleaned up, sanitary trim and nails. Shih tzus often need this on a two- to three-week rhythm.
Built For Little Faces
The face, the eyes and the coat that never stops.
Eyes come first
Shih tzu eyes are large and prominent, and hair falling into them causes real corneal irritation. We clear the eye area carefully every visit, clean the corners, and keep the muzzle short enough that it isn't wicking moisture back into the face.
Brachycephalic breathing
Flat-faced dogs stress and overheat faster. We work in a climate-controlled trailer, keep sessions short, skip heated dryers on the face, and give breaks — a shih tzu should never be pushed through a long groom.
Ears and skin folds
Heavy drop ears and facial folds trap moisture. Every groom includes ear cleaning, hair removal where needed, and drying the folds — the single best defense against yeast and irritation.
A double coat that mats to the skin
Shih tzu hair grows continuously over a soft undercoat, which is why it pelts so fast around the collar, behind the ears and in the armpits. We line-brush to the skin and will always choose comfort over saving a length that's already matted.
The American Shih Tzu Club has thorough grooming and health resources, including guidance on eye care in the breed.
Services
Shih Tzu grooming services.
Full Shih Tzu Groom
Brush-out, bath, gentle dry, your chosen trim, face and eye area shaped, ears cleaned, nails, pads and sanitary.
Bath, Brush & Face Tidy
Deep bath, conditioner, full brush-out, eye-area trim and nails — the two-week maintenance visit many shih tzus need.
Teeth Cleaning
Anesthesia-free brushing. Shih tzus have crowded small-breed jaws and are highly prone to tartar and gum disease.
Where We Groom Shih Tzus
Shih Tzu grooming across southern Maine.
Searching for a shih tzu groomer near you? We bring a calm, small-dog-friendly setup right to your driveway across southern Maine. See all our locations →
Shih Tzu Grooming FAQ
Questions shih tzus owners ask us.
How often should a shih tzu be groomed?
Every 4–6 weeks for a puppy cut, and every 2–4 weeks if you're maintaining a full coat. Most owners also want a face and eye tidy between full grooms, since the muzzle hair grows into the eyes quickly.
What's the best haircut for a shih tzu?
For most owners in Maine, a puppy cut at half an inch to an inch. It stays comfortable through summer humidity and winter snow, brushes out in minutes, and keeps the classic round shih tzu head.
How do I stop tear staining?
Keep the hair around the eyes short and the area dry, wipe daily with a damp cloth, and rule out blocked tear ducts with your vet. Grooming manages it; it's rarely eliminated entirely in light-coated dogs.
Is mobile grooming safe for a flat-faced breed?
It's often better. No car ride, no crate, no waiting in a hot, loud salon, and we control the temperature in the trailer. We also keep sessions short and skip heated dryers on the face.
Where in southern Maine do you groom shih tzus?
We serve Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Cape Porpoise, Goose Rocks Beach, Arundel, Biddeford, Saco, Wells, Ogunquit, York, Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough, from York up through Scarborough.