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Shih Tzu care: grooming, gentle exercise and dog sitting

Plan your Shih Tzu’s daily grooming, walks and feeding, and help your sitter follow their usual routine.

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A white and brown Shih Tzu puppy sitting against a white background

Breed at a glance

Our editors rate each trait from 1 (low) to 5 (high). These are general breed characteristics, not reviews, and every pet is different.

Size
Small and sturdy
Coat
Long, with an undercoat

Exercise needs

An active companion dog who can enjoy sniffing and play. Consider individual health and comfort.

Grooming

The coat needs considerable attention: check daily for tangles and maintain it even when trimmed shorter.

Playfulness

Often playful and keen to join family life. Choose enjoyable, familiar games and alternate them with rest.

Feeding & daily routine

Use complete food for the appropriate life stage and provide normal, measured portions. Include treats and watch body condition. Tell the sitter how you care for the hair around the mouth after meals.

This breed on Petbnb

Petbnb bookings and sitters in the Netherlands.

Paid bookings
1,006
Sitters with breed experience
291

Last updated

The booking total includes paid bookings, as well as completed and reviewed stays or visits. It doesn’t mean every stay or visit has already taken place. Sitter counts and city rankings are based on the breeds sitters list on their profiles, rather than their booking history. This experience is self-reported; check availability for your dates.

Find a sitter who knows the breed

See which cities have the most sitters who list this breed on their profile. Arrange a meet and greet to talk about their experience and your pet’s needs.

  1. Shih Tzu sitters in Amsterdam54 sitters with breed experience
  2. Shih Tzu sitters in Rotterdam21 sitters with breed experience
  3. Shih Tzu sitters in 's-Gravenhage13 sitters with breed experience
  4. Shih Tzu sitters in Delft7 sitters with breed experience
  5. Shih Tzu sitters in Groningen7 sitters with breed experience
  6. Shih Tzu sitters in Nijmegen6 sitters with breed experience
View all Shih Tzu sitters in the Netherlands

Much of a Shih Tzu’s daily care involves small tasks: checking the coat, keeping facial hair out of the way and heading outside calmly together. That takes more preparation than leaving food and a lead ready. Show a sitter beforehand how your dog is used to being cared for.

The Raad van Beheer describes the Shih Tzu as active, people-oriented and independent. Their short muzzle can affect their health and comfort. Suitable activity and care also depend on age, health and the individual dog.

Did you know? This breed has a floral nickname

According to the Raad van Beheer, the Shih Tzu was nicknamed the ‘chrysanthemum-faced dog’ at the Chinese court. They have abundant hair around the head too. That distinctive appearance makes facial care a useful topic for the meet and greet.

During the meet and greet, show the sitter your usual routine after a meal. Demonstrate how you check the hair around the mouth and keep the eyes clear, using familiar tools. This gives more guidance than a note saying ‘please brush thoroughly’.

Make grooming part of the day

The long coat and undercoat can tangle. Check sensitive areas such as armpits, legs, ears and the hair beneath the muzzle daily. How often a full brushing session is needed depends partly on coat quality and length. A shorter trim makes the task more manageable but does not remove the need for grooming.

Ask your groomer which tools suit your dog and have them demonstrate how to use them. A sitting period is not a good time to try unfamiliar equipment. Agree how long grooming sessions last, how your dog can stand or lie comfortably, and when the sitter should stop. Do not pull through painful tangles.

Pay attention to the face

Hair can get in the way of the eyes, and food can get caught in the hair around the mouth. Show how you normally care for these areas and which tools you use. Keep it simple: the sitter does not need to start a new treatment.

LICG identifies breathing and eye problems as concerns when the muzzle is too short. Discuss existing symptoms and your vet’s advice. Give clear contact instructions if breathing becomes difficult or an eye seems painful. An unusual noise or discomfort should not simply be dismissed as normal for the breed.

Choose enjoyable walks and games

A Shih Tzu also wants to sniff, explore and play together. Choose routes and games your dog can comfortably manage, with opportunities to rest. You do not need to give a sitter an athletic programme to make the day interesting. A familiar searching game or a few known exercises can be part of the routine.

Explain how your dog responds to visitors and other dogs. Keep the first meeting calm and allow time for them to approach. A friendly breed description does not replace introductions to the animals who will be present during the stay.

Keep feeding familiar

Provide complete food for the appropriate life stage and use normal, measured portions. The right amount depends on your dog’s body condition and needs, not simply their breed. Contact your vet if unsure.

Write down mealtimes and permitted treats. Make sure the sitter knows where the food bowl goes and whether the hair around the mouth needs attention afterwards. This helps the sitter keep mealtimes familiar while you are away.

Let the sitter practise the routine

Do a short grooming session together. These tips for getting used to brushing can help you build this up calmly.

Three questions for the sitter

  • When could you set aside a quiet moment for grooming and cleaning around their face?
  • Which signs of discomfort would you discuss with me immediately?
  • Can we practise a short grooming session together before the stay begins?

Add the sitter checklist and browse dog sitters.

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