Need shi-tsu help here

[backwoodsbob]

did a rescue this morning on a shi-tsu. Owners moving and basically left her.

Her hair is a mess.Matted as hell and just really bad.

Question is can I comb her and eventually get her straightened out or should I just say to hell with it and clip her and start over?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. I have a shiz tsu yorkie mix.

if she's that matted, I would shave it and start over. Less painful for the dog.

[backwoodsbob]

2. on the bright side...

she's a papered fullbreed (have the papers).

She's a mess but should be ok.Just needs LOTS of love.

They had 7 dogs and none of them were taken care of.We already have three or I would have taken more.

I contacted our local rescue center and they are going to go over there.They won't euthanize and keep dogs forever if they cant find them homes.Hell,our shop donated like a ton of food to them earlier this year.Good people.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Clip out the big mats by hand first

Scissor trim back as you can.
Shampoo and condition her, then shave her back.
(conditioning helps the skin, especially since bad matting can cause pulling on the skin, as well as being very matted probably means her skin has gone dry ubder it all.)

If you know how, go for it.
Otherwise, take her in to a groomer.

[Orrex]

4. Give her a mullet

Mullets are da bomb.

[backwoodsbob]

6. ummm...no

I don't particularly like little dogs anyways...a mullet?..a little dog that reminds me of moran man?...I dont think so :scared:


Here's what I want

[ThomCat]

5. I hope she's well.

Are you keeping her, or finding a home for her?

I would guess that clipping would be the better, safer, and less painful option. This is summer, so being clipped would also be cooler for her.

I'm very glad you were able to take her in. :hug:

[backwoodsbob]

7. we're keeping her

she has fit right in..thinks she's God on earth patrolling the hill here.She does her damndest to run with the rest of them...her poor little legs aren't long enough :)

I'll post pics when the kid ever gets the camera charged.

We bathed her and her front half is AMAZING!...unfortunately...hehe...her back half looks like hell