10 Best Brushes for Shih Tzus – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Most canine lovers will agree that a fluffy Shih Tzu with flowing, majestic hair is a sight to behold. But with beauty comes great responsibility, and, in the case of Shih Tzus, this means a consistent, regular brushing routine.

Having the right tools will make grooming time easier for both you and your canine companion. The wrong brush can damage your Shih Tzu’s coat and even cause them pain and discomfort. To help you decide which brush is best for your pet, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 brushes for Shih Tzus and included reviews and summaries of each one.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Babyliss Pro Pet Long Pin Slicker Pet brush	Good for long coats Comfortable to use Good for removing matts and untangling	Check Price
Best Value		Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush	Ergonomic handle Two brush types Good for daily use	Check Price
Premium Choice		Safari Flexible Slicker Dog Brush	Double-sided brush Flexible pins for comfortable brush Excellent for removing mats	Check Price
Best for Puppies		Burt’s Bees Puppy Double Sided Pin & Bristle Brush	2-in-1 functionality Rounded tips perfect for puppies Made of natural materials	Check Price
		Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Slicker Brush	Easy cleaning Comfortable handle Good for removing loose hair	Check Price

The 10 Best Brushes for Shih Tzus

1. Babyliss Pro Pet Long Pin Slicker Pet brush – Best Overall

Our best overall choice of brush for Shih Tzus goes to the Babyliss Pro Pet Long Pin Slicker Pet Brush. The professional-grade tool is specially designed for dogs with long coats. It features long, flexible, stainless-steel pins that should easily reach your Shih Tzu’s undercoat.

Aside from giving your Shih Tzu untangled, lustrous hair, this brush also features a bubble-gel handle, making it more comfortable for you to use, too.

The one drawback with this brush is that it is made using a solid plastic core, which, with overuse, may eventually break. That said, we still think it’s the best option overall, given its affordable price, functionality, and comfort for both the user and receiver!

2. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush – Best Value

The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush takes our spot for the best value-for-money product out there. With nylon bristles on one side and round-tipped stainless-steel pins on the other, you can comb, detangle, and gently brush your Shih Tzu with just one very reasonably priced product.

The Hartz Groomer’s Combo Brush also features an ergonomic handle, which should make brushing easier on your hands, too.

The one downside with this brush is that the pins on the comb side are rather rigid, so you’ll need to make sure you’re being gentle when brushing your pup.

3. Safari Flexible Slicker Dog Brush – Premium Choice

For a premium choice, we recommend the Safari Flexible Slicker Dog Brush. It has long, flexible stainless-steel pins that contour to your dog for a more comfortable brush. It effectively detangles long hair, picks up any loose hairs, and removes mats, leaving the pup’s coat feeling nice and soft!

Do note that the tips on this brush are not coated, so you’ll need to make sure you use it gently on your Shih Tzu, especially if they’re still a puppy. The only downside to this brush is that it is a little on the pricey side. That said, it’s a good quality product that’s likely to last.

4. Burt’s Bees Puppy Double Sided Pin & Bristle Brush – Best for Puppies

If you’re shopping for your Shih Tzu puppy’s first brush, we recommend Burt’s Bees Puppy Double Sided Pin & Bristle Brush. For a start, this little brush is just the right size for a Shih Tzu puppy. It’s a 2-in-1 brush, with a comb on one side, and a soft hemp bristle brush on the other.

The comb has rounded tips, which are perfect for puppies’ delicate skin. It can be used to gently comb out any tangles, while the soft hemp bristle brush on the other side will help to keep your puppy’s outer coat nice and shiny. We love that this brush is made with bamboo and eco-friendly recycled materials.

The only downside to this brush is that it’s quite tiny, so you should expect your puppy to outgrow it soon. For their very first brush, however, it’s an excellent choice.

5. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Slicker Brush

The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Slicker Brush is ideal for prolonged, daily grooming sessions. It features a comfortable anti-slip handle that’s easy on the hands, while the stainless-steel bristles are slightly curved so they can effectively brush your pup’s undercoat.

We especially love the automatic self-cleaning function which, when pressed, retracts the bristles, leaving the excess hair and debris ready for disposal.

While the Hertzko slicker brush is both functional and comfortable to use, it is important to note that it’s made of plastic, which can break over time through use, especially if your dog likes to bite their brush!

6. Andis Firm Slicker Brush

The Andis Firm Slicker Brush is a fairly large brush, designed to comb more fur with each stroke. It’s highly effective at reaching the undercoat, so daily grooming with this brush will help to de-shed your Shih Tzu. As the name suggests, this brush is quite firm, which can either be good or bad, depending on what your dog prefers! We suggest starting with this brush gently to see how your Shih Tzu feels about it.

The Andis Firm brush doesn’t have an ergonomic handle like some of the other options we’ve listed, but considering its effectiveness at brushing excess hair and its reasonable price, we still believe it deserves a spot on our list of top picks.

7. Safari Curved Firm Slicker Dog Brush

The Safari Curved Firm Slicker Dog Brush is a great option for Shih Tzus. The bristles have coated tips to keep brushing comfortable on your dog’s skin, while the curved design contours to your dog for better reach. For Shih Tzus with especially thick hair, the coated tips may get stuck—we recommend taking your time and brushing them out gently.

This brush also features a non-slip handle to give you a secure grip as you brush.

While this slicker brush is effective at removing excess hair, it doesn’t have a self-cleaning feature as some other brushes do. Instead, you’ll need to clean the brush manually. If you don’t mind cleaning the brush manually, then it’s a great option.

8. Kenchii Oval Metal Pin Dog Brush

The Kenchii Oval Metal Pin Dog Brush is sturdy, and made from luxurious maple wood and stainless-steel rounded pins. It’s great for gently detangling your Shih Tzu’s hair without pulling or tearing, but the pins also offer a soothing massage that your furry friend may just love.

We love the non-slip rubber grip on the handle, which promises more comfortable use. Due to the material used, this brush feels a little heavier than plastic brushes, which we think is a positive as you don’t need to apply as much pressure with each stroke.

The only downside to this brush is that it is a little on the pricey side. That said, it’s a sturdy brush that you shouldn’t need to replace for a long time.

9. Bass Brushes the Hybrid Pet Groomer Paddle Brush

We love this neat little hybrid brush which combines the detangling functionality of a pin brush with the smoothing and debris removal functionality of a bristle brush. The handle and base of the Hybrid Pet Groomer Paddle Brush by Bass Brushes are made from bamboo, while the central bristles are made from boar bristles that work to distribute your pet’s natural oils over their coat, promoting a healthy shine.

The brush’s outer stainless-steel pins work to gently detangle your Shih Tzu’s hair.

This brush is great at collecting loose hair, but you’ll need to clean it manually. It also doesn’t have an ergonomic or rubber handle, which—with prolonged use—can make it uncomfortable to use for some people.

10. Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush & Hair Remover

Grooming time can get messy with flyaway undercoat hairs falling on the surrounding area as you work. The Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush & Hair Remover comes with a handy rubber back that—you guessed it—acts as a hair remover. It catches loose hairs from surfaces (and your clothes) for easy disposal.

The pin brush features rounded tips to prevent scratching, especially for delicate puppies. The pins are set into a flexible base to allow movement as you brush around your dog.

The Boshel brush is a great option for the price, but it is worth remembering that it’s made from plastic, and therefore may not be as durable as some of the other options, though it does feature a non-slip handle for comfort.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Brush for Your Shih Tzu

With so many pet brushes and brush types out on the market, shopping for the right product can get a little overwhelming. In our buyer’s guide, we’ve included some important factors to consider when searching for the right brush to suit not only Shih Tzus but also your needs.

What Type of Brush Does a Shih Tzu Need?

Shih Tzus have a thick double coat consisting of a soft and feathery undercoat, and a fine and silky topcoat, which is more like hair than fur.

Your Shih Tzu’s undercoat will naturally shed continuously, but unless it’s brushed out, it will get stuck in the topcoat. It’s crucial to brush your Shih Tzu regularly to remove these trapped hairs and prevent mats, and for that, you need the correct types of brushes.

You should note that some pin brushes feature rounded, coated, or dulled tips. This is to prevent the risk of accidentally scratching and hurting your dog. There are benefits both ways, however, as coated tips tend to get stuck in tangles more.

If you opt to use a pin comb with coated tips, we recommend taking your time to comb out tangles gently. Similarly, if you opt to use an uncoated pin brush, be sure to brush your dog gently to avoid accidental scratching.

User Comfort

As well as your pup’s needs, you need to consider your own. Shih Tzus need regular brushing, which can take a lot of time, especially if they have long hair, so it’s crucial to make sure you’re using a brush that doesn’t strain your wrist or joints.

A non-slip handle is likely to make the task easier for you as you won’t have to grip the brush as hard. That said, the size of the handle should fit your hand well, so don’t forget to take this into account as well.

The most common handles include:

Conclusion

We hope that our reviews of the top 10 brushes for Shih Tzus help you find the perfect grooming tool for your furry pal. For a reliable and effective everyday brush for your Shih Tzu, we recommend the Babyliss Pro Pet Long Pin Slicker Pet Brush, which should simultaneously detangle and smooth out your pet’s hair. If you’re looking for a good deal, you can’t go wrong with the Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush, which gives you two brush types in one, at a very reasonable price!

Featured Image Credit by: hedgehog94, Shutterstock