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The best brush setup for a Shih Tzu is not one brush but two tools: a small slicker brush to pull out trapped undercoat, and a metal comb to find the tangles the slicker misses. Our top pick is the Safari Flexible Slicker (Small) paired with the Chris Christensen 7.5″ Buttercomb. Add a pin brush only if your Shih Tzu keeps a long coat.
- Best slicker: Safari Flexible Slicker (Small)
- Best comb: Chris Christensen Buttercomb #003
- Premium slicker: Chris Christensen Baby G
- Best pin brush: Chris Christensen Oval, 27mm
- Budget pin brush: Safari Wire Pin, Small
- Popular but skip: Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker
A Shih Tzu’s long double coat traps shed undercoat instead of letting it fall out, and that trapped hair is what turns into mats. The wrong brush makes it worse: a big head can’t reach behind the ears or into the armpits, and a brush that only skims the surface leaves knots hiding underneath.
So we didn’t look for the “best dog brush.” We looked for tools that suit a small, flat-faced dog with a coat that keeps growing, and we’re clear about which ones aren’t worth it.
From my own dogs: My 5-year-old Shih Tzu wears a teddy bear cut, and I do the daily brushing at home while a groomer handles haircuts. With that cut, the spots that tangle are behind the ears and in the armpits, so a small brush head matters more to me than any other feature. Every product below is marked as a research pick. When I’ve used one long enough with my own dog to judge it fairly, I’ll mark it 🐾 tested and share what I found.
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Best brushes for Shih Tzus: comparison table
| Product | Type | Best for | Why it suits a Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Flexible Slicker (Small) | Slicker | Best overall daily brush | Small head reaches ears, legs and armpits; soft and firm sides |
| Chris Christensen Buttercomb #003 | Metal comb | Finding hidden tangles | Fine and extra-coarse sides; rounded tips |
| Chris Christensen Baby G | Slicker (premium) | Dense or long coats | Long 27mm bent pins, cushioned pad, small head |
| Chris Christensen Oval Pin, 27mm | Pin brush | Long coats | Polished pins built for medium to long coats |
| Safari Wire Pin, Small | Pin brush (budget) | Finishing on a budget | Compact 7¾” × 2¼” size |
How we choseEvery product here is a 🔍 research pick. We compared manufacturer specs, retailer listings and patterns in owner reviews against what a Shih Tzu’s coat and size actually need. When we’ve used a product with our own dog, we’ll mark it 🐾 tested. Read our full review process.
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Which brushes does a Shih Tzu actually need?
Most Shih Tzus need just two tools: a slicker brush and a metal comb. A pin brush is only worth adding if your dog keeps a long coat.
- Slicker brush (essential). Fine wire pins pull loose undercoat out of the coat before it can knot. This does most of the work.
- Metal comb (essential). Your quality check. If the comb glides from skin to tip, the coat is truly brushed out; if it snags, there’s a tangle the slicker missed.
- Pin brush (long coats only). Smooths and fluffs a long coat after the slicker has done its job. On a short puppy cut it adds little.
For the full step-by-step brushing method, including line brushing and dealing with mats, see our complete Shih Tzu grooming guide.
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What should you look for in a Shih Tzu brush?
Pick a small head that fits a 9–16 lb dog, pins long enough to reach the skin through your dog’s coat length, and a comb with both fine and wide teeth.
1. A small head
Mats start behind the ears, in the armpits and between the back legs. A large slicker can’t get into those spots, so choose a small size. Many popular brushes are sized for big dogs.
2. Pin length that matches the coat
Pins need to reach the skin, or the undercoat stays put. Chris Christensen, for example, lists 20mm pins for short coats, 27mm for medium to long coats and 35mm for long, thick, full coats. Short puppy cuts need less reach than a full coat.
3. Gentle pin tips and a light hand
Slicker pins are fine wire, and pressing too hard can scratch the skin. Uncoated pins work well but need a gentle touch. Some owners prefer coated or ball-tipped pins, though these can catch in thick hair.
4. A comb with two tooth spacings
Wide teeth work through the body coat; fine teeth handle the face, feet and the final check. A combination comb does both jobs.
Be careful with deshedding bladesUndercoat rakes and deshedding blades are built for heavy-shedding breeds. On a Shih Tzu’s continuously growing coat they can cut and thin the hair. Ask your groomer before using one.
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The best brushes for Shih Tzus, reviewed
Safari Flexible Slicker Dog Brush (Small)
Slicker · Stainless steel pins · Head about 2½” wide (small) · Flexible head · Soft and firm sides
This is the brush we’d hand a new Shih Tzu owner first. The small size is the main reason: a head around 2½ inches wide fits behind the ears and into the armpits, where Shih Tzu mats usually start. The flexible head follows the body’s curves, and owners describe one side as softer for everyday brushing and the other as firmer for working through knots.
Pros
- Small head suits a 9–16 lb dog
- Flexible head follows body contours
- Two firmness levels in one brush
- Strong owner ratings on major retailers
Cons
- Pins are uncoated, so it needs a gentle hand
- Not self-cleaning; pull hair out by hand
- Small head means more passes on a long-coated body
Chris Christensen 7.5″ Fine/X-Coarse Buttercomb #003
Greyhound-style comb · 7½” spine · Fine side 11 teeth per inch · Extra-coarse side 3 teeth per inch · Rounded, polished teeth
A comb is how you know brushing is actually finished, and this one comes from Chris Christensen, a professional grooming brand. The extra-coarse side works through the body coat, and the fine side handles the beard, feet and the final skin-to-tip check. The manufacturer describes the teeth as ground and rounded so they don’t snag hair.
Pros
- Two tooth spacings in one comb
- Smooth, rounded teeth are kind to the coat
- Solid brass core with steel teeth, per the manufacturer
Cons
- Expensive for a comb
- The 3-teeth-per-inch side is very wide; medium coats may also need a medium-spaced comb
- A basic steel greyhound comb does the same job for less if budget matters
Chris Christensen Baby G Slicker
Slicker · 27mm bent pins · Head 2⅜” × 2⅜” · Flexible cushion pad · Long ergonomic handle
If your Shih Tzu keeps a long or dense coat, this is the upgrade. The long bent pins are designed to reach deep into longer coats and lift out undercoat, and the cushioned pad is meant to be forgiving on the skin. The Baby G is the smallest of the range and is sold for hard-to-reach areas, which is exactly where a Shih Tzu needs help.
Pros
- Long pins reach through thicker coats
- Small square head for tight spots
- Cushioned pad and long handle reduce hand strain
Cons
- Premium price
- Overkill for a short puppy cut
- Long pins need practice not to scratch the skin
Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush (27mm)
Pin brush · Stainless steel pins, ground and polished · Beechwood body · Made in Germany · Also in 20mm and 35mm
A pin brush finishes a long coat after the slicker has removed the undercoat. The manufacturer lists the 27mm version for medium to long coats, which suits most long-coated Shih Tzus; the 35mm is for very long, thick, full coats.
Pros
- Smooth polished pins glide through long hair
- Choice of three pin lengths
- Solid beechwood body, made in Germany
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t remove mats on its own; you still need a slicker
- Not worth it for puppy or teddy bear cuts
Safari Wire Pin Bamboo Handle Brush (Small)
Pin brush · Wire pins with rounded ends · 7¾” × 2¼” · Bamboo handle
If you want a pin brush for finishing without the premium price, this compact one is sized well for a small dog. It’s a finishing tool, not a dematting tool.
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact size suits small dogs
- Rounded pin ends
Cons
- Some owners report pins loosening or falling out over time
- Longtime buyers say newer versions feel cheaper
- Pins aren’t as smooth as premium brushes
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Slicker · Retractable pins with a self-cleaning button · Head about 5.8″ × 3″
The Hertzko is one of the best-selling slickers online, and the retractable pins make cleaning easy. But at roughly 5.8 by 3 inches, the head is built for bigger dogs. PetsRadar’s review notes it’s harder to use on small, sensitive areas like the face, and on a Shih Tzu, the small, tight areas are exactly where mats form.
Pros
- Very easy to clean
- Retracting pins protects them in storage
- Affordable and widely available
Cons
- Head too large for ears, armpits and legs on a small dog
- Reviews mention plastic parts breaking
- You’d still need a smaller brush for tight spots
Got the brush? Now get the routine right.
Line brushing, mat hot spots, bathing and drying: the full step-by-step method.
Read the Shih Tzu grooming guide05
What’s the best brush for each Shih Tzu haircut?
Short cuts need only a small slicker and a comb. Long coats need a slicker with longer pins, a comb and a pin brush for finishing.
| Haircut | Slicker | Comb | Pin brush |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy or summer cut | Safari Flexible (Small) | Buttercomb or basic steel comb | Not needed |
| Teddy bear cut | Safari Flexible (Small) | Buttercomb | Optional |
| Long or show coat | Chris Christensen Baby G | Buttercomb | Oval Pin Brush, 27mm or 35mm |
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Shih Tzu brush FAQs
What kind of brush is best for a Shih Tzu?
A small slicker brush paired with a metal comb. The slicker pulls out trapped undercoat, which is what causes mats, and the comb finds tangles the slicker missed. Long-coated Shih Tzus also benefit from a pin brush for finishing.
Is a slicker brush good for a Shih Tzu?
Yes. A slicker is the most useful single brush for a Shih Tzu because its fine pins reach into the double coat and remove loose undercoat. Choose a small head and use a light touch, since pressing hard can scratch the skin.
Do I need a comb if I have a slicker brush?
Yes. A slicker can leave hidden tangles close to the skin. Running a metal comb from skin to tip is the only reliable way to check that the coat is fully brushed out.
Can I use a deshedding tool on a Shih Tzu?
Be cautious. Deshedding blades and undercoat rakes are designed for heavy-shedding breeds and can cut or thin a Shih Tzu’s continuously growing coat. Ask your groomer before using one.
How often should I brush my Shih Tzu?
Daily for a long or medium coat, and a few times a week for a short puppy cut. Mats form quickly in the double coat, so short daily sessions are easier than long weekly ones.
Sources
- Safari Flexible Slicker Dog Brush, Small: listing, Q&A and owner reviews (Chewy)
- 7.5″ Fine/X-Coarse Greyhound-Style Buttercomb #003 (Chris Christensen)
- Big G Brushes, including the Baby G (Chris Christensen)
- Original Series Oval Pin Brush (Chris Christensen)
- Safari Wire Pin Bamboo Handle Dog Brush, Small: listing and owner reviews (Chewy)
- Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush review (PetsRadar)
Update log
- October 9, 2026: Published. Product specs checked against manufacturer and retailer listings.