Shih Tzu
COLLEEN BEAGLEY
HARPER
Harper gives us the whole Shih Tzu package: bath, dry and haircut, with Colleen paying particular attention to something that can easily get lost underneath all that hair: brachycephalic anatomy.
Before the haircut even begins, Colleen looks at how Harper’s short muzzle and prominent eyes affect handling, washing, restraint and drying. Then it’s onto a pet groom designed to keep some of the flowing character of a traditional Shih Tzu coat without asking Harper’s owner to maintain one to the floor.
This tutorial is available as a fastForward
Part 1 | Bathing a squishy face
Colleen works through Harper’s bath with the anatomy of her face firmly in mind. She demonstrates different holds that protect the eyes and nose without relying on pressure around the neck, and explains why she shampoos the face last and rinses it first.
There are also alternatives for cleaning around those tight little eye and nose folds when ordinary shampooing feels too risky.
Part 2 | Drying a brachycephalic dog
Even a Happy Hoodie needs a rethink on a Shih Tzu. Colleen shows how something that appears to fit can put unwanted pressure around the neck and pull the forehead back, and why sizing up can be the safer option.
Harper also makes it pretty clear that less restraint is better for her. Colleen responds by changing her holds, controlling the dryer speed and distance and backing away when Harper’s body language says she needs it.
Part 3 | Short body, Shih Tzu feel
Now for the haircut. Harper’s mum wants her shorter and easier to maintain, but still recognisably Shih Tzu, so Colleen uses a dark blue attachment comb on the body while leaving room for longer legs, ears and that characteristic flowing look.
This is also a good look at clipping drop coat and why back-brushing and excellent coat preparation matter if you want an even finish.
Part 4 | Two ways to tackle the legs
One Harper, two techniques. Colleen uses an attachment comb on one side and hand scissors the other, giving you a useful side-by-side look at how each method builds a longer leg beneath a shorter body.
The finished lengths can be very similar, but the hand-scissored side gives a slightly plusher, more shaped result.
Part 5 | Feet & finishing the legs
Colleen brings the feet into the leg shape, working with Harper’s bowed little Shih Tzu legs rather than pretending they’re perfectly straight columns.
There’s more thoughtful handling here too, including supporting the whole rear leg so Harper isn’t left balancing awkwardly while the opposite foot is being groomed.
Part 6 | A modern little Shih Tzu head
The final piece is Harper’s head. Colleen clears the eye and nose-fold area, keeps the muzzle short and clean, and builds a compact teddy shape while retaining enough length through the ears and head to echo that traditional flowing Shih Tzu look.
And throughout it all, the squishy face still matters. Colleen changes holds when Harper needs to move, avoids unnecessarily holding her mouth closed and keeps checking what her breathing and body language are telling her.
