Squeeze, never wring, a Shih Tzu's long coat
A Shih Tzu in full or long coat dries properly only if the hair is kept smooth from the first minute, because long hair that is rubbed, bunched, or left to air-dry tangled will set that way. After the final rinse, gather sections of the coat in a towel and squeeze downward, working from the back toward the skirt and legs. Wringing or scrubbing a Shih Tzu's coat creates the very mats you will then spend half an hour removing, so keep every motion lengthwise along the hair.
Let the dog shake once in the tub, then settle him on a raised, non-slip grooming surface where the long skirt hangs freely instead of pooling on a wet table. Comb a detangling mindset into the plan from the start: drying and brushing happen together on this breed, not as two separate jobs. Keep a brush and a wide comb within reach before the first section begins.
Dry a Shih Tzu in sections while brushing straight
Section-by-section drying with a brush is the heart of the Shih Tzu method. Clip or hold back the top layers and start at the lowest layer of the skirt and leg furnishings, directing gentle warm air at the section while brushing the hair straight and smooth until it feels dry and moves freely. Then let down the next layer and repeat, working around the body and finishing with the topcoat, so no damp underlayer hides beneath a dry-looking surface.
Use warm, never hot, air, keep it moving, and hold it at a comfortable distance from the skin. A Shih Tzu is a small, flat-faced breed that overheats and breathes harder under stress, so watch the dog as much as the coat — panting, restlessness, or pawing at the air stream means pause, cool the setting, and give a short break. Keep air away from the eyes and short muzzle entirely, and dry the face, beard, and moustache last with a soft towel and gentle combing.
Give Shih Tzu ears, beard, and topknot their own pass
The ear leathers on a Shih Tzu carry long, heavy hair that stays wet long after the body is done, and damp ears left under that hair become uncomfortable quickly. Lift the hair, dry the outside and the underside of each ear flap carefully without directing air into the ear canal, and brush the ear hair straight once dry. Squeeze the beard and facial furnishings gently downward — they hold rinse water and will drip onto the freshly dried chest if skipped.
If your Shih Tzu wears a topknot, dry the head hair smooth and re-tie it only once fully dry, so moisture is not sealed against the scalp. Check the armpits, groin, and behind the ears with a comb as a final test: if the comb glides through, the drying was thorough; if it snags, that pocket needs a little more air and brushing before it turns into a knot by morning.
Keep a dried Shih Tzu smooth until the coat settles
A finished Shih Tzu should feel dry at the skin everywhere, with the coat falling in smooth, separate strands rather than clumping in damp ropes. Avoid letting the dog rub along carpet or bedding straight away, tempting as that post-bath ritual is, because friction on a just-dried long coat undoes the brush-out in minutes. A few calm minutes on the grooming surface while the coat cools and settles keeps the finish tidy.
Store the brush-out order — lowest layer first, ears and beard last — where anyone helping will actually see it. Recording that exact sequence for your Shih Tzu in KinsLe through Care Teams means a helper never guesses and starts at the tangled top layer.