New Here introducting Dexter

Hi Im new here and want to introduce our puppy Dexter hes gold and white and an absolutely gorgeous boy. He is now 5 months old and is house trained, has learnt to sit and do down and to come, he is so playful and funny. We got him when he was 9 weeks old from a lovely breeder in Herne Bay, she has been so helpful and given great advice since we have had him, and we keep in touch with her sending pictures of Dexter. Its her policy to take back any puppy that needs to be rehomed which I think is a very responsible breeder.
Im intending to keep him in full coat, he likes to be groomed and his hair is now long enough to have his top knot done, he looks so sweet, he has a very loving temperment and goes everywhere with us. Im wondering how hard it is to keep their coat nice when they loose their puppy coat and get their adult coat and what age roughly does this happen, he has a lot of coat already and I dont want it getting matted which Ive read seems to happen, so any advice would be great many thanks Sue

Sue and welcome to the forum, it's great to have you here. As you can see, we are all shih tzu addicts here and also very friendly. It is a bit quiet at the minute as everyone gets ready for Christmas, but it will pick up again after all the celebrations.

Your breeder sounds like one of the lovely ones. It is so nice when they keep in contact with you, and offer to re-home him if that is ever needed.

Dexter sounds like he is doing brilliantly, but don't be surprised if he forgets sometimes, as he is still only a puppy, and having fun learning lots of new things in his exciting world. He sounds like a typical shih tzu to me, they love company and are brilliant with children, and can get up to no end of mischief.

I am so glad you are keeping him in full coat, they look so nice when they run along and their coat flies behind them. Does he have a nice little spiky top knot? They look so cute when it is just long enough to go up. It can vary as to how easy it is to keep the coat depending on what type of coat he has, but generally I would say it is easier to keep than a short one to be honest. It is a matter of finding out what suits both you and Dexter best. You may have a problem as he goes from his puppy coat to adult, but as he likes being groomed, as long as you keep on top of it, you shouldn't have too much of a problem at all.

There are several things I would recommend, a Mason Pearson brush and a rotating tooth comb being the most important. The brush is expensive, but will last for ever (I have had mine for 40 years and it is still going strong!) as long as you look after it. I also have a matte splitter which is useful if you do find any matts, but you need to be careful how you use it. As for shampoos and conditioners, that will also depend on Dexters coat, but I love the 15 to 1 range, and keep a spray bottle made up to use on any knots. It is expensive to begin with, but it lasts for ages, and is a good quality one. There are lots of threads on here about grooming, just have a search and you will get plenty to read with loads of suggestions of products.

Don't forget to let us see some photos, as we all love seeing how puppies change as they grow, and I am sure you want to show him off to us. Any questions, just ask away and someone will soon be along to help.

Yes they are lovely in full coat!



This is a picture of my oldest, I have a puppy of 5 months as well! As Sujay said the most difficult part is when they go from puppy coat to adult coat. Puppy coat doensn't matt generally speaking but at that akward stage it is really something to keep on top of. But as your pup is fine being groomed that shouldn't be a problem. I also found that when they are really matted it is easier to wash them first before attempting to comb them as it is much easier to groom a clean coat.

and yes pictures are very much appreciated:lol:

welcome to you and Dexter from us aswell

Welcome to the forum

Hi Everyone thank you for all the lovely welcomes. Im sure I will be asking lots or advice with the grooming as we go along at the moment Dexter has a lovely fluffy puppy coat he has a lot of hair its about 2 inches long and falls in a natural parting from his head to halfway down his back. His top knot is getting easier to put up by the week as his hair grows he looks so sweet. Sue

Hi there and welcome to the forum - you have been given some great advice here and I like sujay find 15 to 1 the best shampoo and conditioner. Depending on his gold type of coat makes a slight difference. For example Josh has a red gold strong coat and he never matted even when changing coat - Isabella on the other hand had a fine soft coat and we had a bit of a nightmare for a few months but as Famke says if really matted I too prefer to wash first. The 15 to 1 takes a few washes before it starts to really make a difference but it helpos to separate the hairs and therefore prevent matting. Isabella's coat started to become a little coarser at about 18 months old and has been as easy as Josh ever since. Get the right tools and shampoos and you should be fine... just keep on top of the coat during the changeover ie if you notice a mat work on it asap. Looking forward to getting to know you better in the near future and also to seeing some photos of your little man xxx