Can you give a hand with my Shih Tzu's crazy hair?

My lil Shih Tzu turned a year last week, and her best friend (a Border Collie) loves to play with her in the backyard, and roll around! Well, even after bathing and brushing like crazy, she still obtained CRAZY mats. I had to take her to the groomers, and they shaved her! So sad! She looks naked! Lol, and thin, because she was fluffy. Lol.

I want to start over with her gorgeous hair ..

1) What are some REALLY good shampoo's/conditioners to help her not mat SO easily? Her hair is so cottony and fine, so any movement will mat her!

2) I need a brush/comb specifically to prevent mats, can you tell me a good one?

3) Since she's been shaved, I've worried that her hair will not grow back out the same? Is this true?

Thanks for your input.

Can you give a hand with my Shih Tzu's crazy hair?

Lucy, hello,

get your groomer to tell which shampoo and conditioner and is right for your dog.

then get a good comb and brush, again have the groomer show you which one is best for your Shih Tzu hair, not all combs and brushes are suited for every breed.

then when the hair starts to come back in, brush her more than comb her, the brushing like a human will generate and stimulate the hair and will make it grow faster..

be sure you keep her coat stripped, from skin to tips, do this all the time and it will prevent the matts even when rolling and playing rough.

from skin, with comb, gently skin to tip of hair, this prevents coat from matting and will keep the hair separated and will thus prevent the coat from matting.......

good luck...and I am sorry she had to be shaved down, but hey, her new coat will be beautiful with all the combing and brushing she will now get, just keep it up on a regular basis and you will love the way her coat looks all the time.

I have to do the same with my Schnauzers, from skin to tip of fur, to keep smooth and unmatted on the skirts and legs..

P.S. you can get really good shampoo and conditioners that will also help with matting of hair, your groomer will show which one is the best, this is better than guessing.

Can you give a hand with my Shih Tzu's crazy hair?

I use Hydra Pearls shampoo %26amp; conditioning rinse. It smells pretty good %26amp; works well. Ask your groomer what they recommend or contact a Shih Tzu breeder to see what they use. As long as she is healthy, her hair should grow back normally, just give it time.

Can you give a hand with my Shih Tzu's crazy hair?

Try Tropiclean's Dematt. Use a metal greyhound comb on hair and matts. You will need to brush her several times a day. It will grow out just fine, if you keep it combed. Chances are you will have to keep her in a shorter haircut unless you keep her from playing with the border collie.

Can you give a hand with my Shih Tzu's crazy hair?

you could just give her a short not shaved scruffy hair cut

Can you give a hand with my Shih Tzu's crazy hair?

I would use a really good conditioner, or even a dog detangler.

A friend of mine breeds, rescues, and shows Newfoundlands, and uses this brush for mats:

http://grooming.petedge.com/Classic-Anti...

http://grooming.petedge.com/catalog/thum...

Leave in conditioner:

http://www.petco.com/product/4604/Miracl...

I think this is the brand of shampoo she uses:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

Can you give a hand with my Shih Tzu's crazy hair?

Her hair will grow back fine- but, the best/only way to prevent the mats is to brush your dog daily, twice daily if that's what it takes, and brush to the skin. Don't just use a slicker brush, as it will only brush the top layer- you need to get a comb that has the teeth really close together and comb through to the skin. Shaving the mats can be painful for the dog if the mats are too close to the skin, and combing them out can also be extremely painful. There is no magic potion to keep them from getting the mats- just good old fashioned elbow grease.