Shih Tzus have long, flowing coats that when left uncut can reach the floor. Their hair is straight and smooth, and there is practically no limit to the colors and types of hairstyles. Did you know that there are more than 20 types of Shi Tzu haircuts?
There are not many dogs who are more beautiful than a well-groomed Shih Tzu. Keep reading to learn the six of the most popular Shih Tzu haircuts and how to groom them.
Similar: Poodle Cuts: 15 Best Haircuts For Poodles
Table of Contents
Shih Tzu Haircuts 101
There are lots of different haircuts that you can give your Shih Tzu.
From cute short trims that are low maintenance and perfect for the hot weather, to classic long-haired looks with top knots.
Which haircut you choose will depend on your lifestyle, where you live, and whether you want your Shih Tzu to be a show dog.
A style like the Puppy Cut is one of the best haircuts for a Shih Tzu. This cut keeps your dog looking like a puppy and prevent them from having a heat stroke. Plus you won’t have to worry about daily brushing.
If you want to show your Shih Tzu then you will need to keep their hair long.
The Top Knot Show Cut is the most popular long hairstyle and keeps their hair at floor-length, with a classy top knot over their head. This kind of hairdo is designed to make your Shih Tzu look like the famous lion dog.
With Shih Tzus that won’t be shown, it is much better to keep their fur short.
Not only it is low maintenance, but short hair will help keep them cool during hot summer months. Since the Shih Tzu and Shih Tzu mixes are brachycephalic, this also helps with their breathing.
Whichever haircut your Shih Tzu has, you will still need to groom them.
Grooming is one of the most important parts of caring for this lovely pooch. Their hair needs brushing daily to avoid any knots. They should also be bathed every 3-4 weeks to keep their coat clean, shiny and sleek.
If decide to take them to a professional groomer then they will need their hair trimming every 4-6 weeks.
Regular trims are not just important for making your Shih Tzu look beautiful, but also for their eye health. Keeping the hair around their eyes trimmed helps prevent any irritation in their eyes.
Top 6 Hairstyles
1. Lion Cut
The Lion Cut is one of the most popular Shih Tzu cuts. This style trims the hair over their entire body to about one inch long. However, the hair on and around their head is left alone and not cut, and so too is the hair on their tail. This helps to create a Shih Tzu that looks like it has a lion’s mane. It is a great cut for males as it makes them look strong and proud.
A Lion Cut is great for hot summers and can be very easily maintained. It can be achieved with clippers for the body, and scissors to make the mane presentable. People often choose this haircut because of how easy it is to manage and how little grooming is required.
2. Puppy Cut
The Puppy Cut, also known as the Summer Cut, is the most popular haircut that families choose to give their Shih Tzu. It is also a very popular haircut for a shorkie. This cut accentuates their round puppy-dog face, while trimming down the hair on the rest of the body to between 1-2 inches.
Scissors are used to cut the hair around the face and on the ears to create that round face shaped that is characteristic of puppies. The hair around their eyes is also cut short so that you can see their dazzling round eyes. This cut makes your pooch look like a puppy forever. It is one of the easiest Shih Tzu Haircuts to maintain, and is great for the hot summer months.
The hair on their ears is cut short but left longer than the rest of body, and their beard is removed or cut short. Some people like to leave the hair on the body a little bit longer. Just keep in mind that the longer the hair is, the more brushing your Shih Tzu will need.
3. Teddy Bear Cut
This is one of the best female shih tzu haircuts because it makes them look like fluffy teddy bears. The hair is trimmed with clippers evenly over the body at about 2 inches long. The hair on the face is twice as long (4 inches) and cut into a round shape that is reminiscent of a plush toy. This haircut gets rid of the Shih Tzu’s beard and leaves their face looking plump and round. It is a bit harder to maintain and people who wish to do their own grooming will need to learn some extra skills to get that perfect round face with long hair.
4. Top Knot
If you want to keep their hair long, then this cut stops their flowing hair getting in the way of their eyes. It is a simple way of tying your dog’s face hair up into a ponytail.
The hair on your Shih Tzu’s body and face is left long, but you might choose to clip it a bit so that it is not reaching the ground. The long hair over their head is then put into a top knot using ribbons, bands, or clips.
You will spend more time grooming them, especially if the hair over their body is long. But you can see this as a fun time to bond with your Shih Tzu, rather than a burden.
5. Show Cut
The Top Knot Show Cut is designed specifically for Shih Tzus who will compete in dog shows. If your Shih Tzu was born to complete in shows then only the most elegant hairstyle will do.
This haircut is characterized by sleek and flowing long hair that reaches all the way to the floor and is carefully brushed and blown out. The hair on their head is tied-up into an elegant top-know that looks like a half moon. Nothing is cut short.
Not many families choose this hairstyle since it is so hard to achieve, and it is not practical for the summer months. This Shih Tzu Haircut is very high maintenance and will require a lot of time. You will also have to brush them daily to keep their hair tangle free.
6. Cone Paw Cut
The Cone Paws haircut is designed to show off your Shih Tzu’s legs. With this haircut, the hair on the body is trimmed short. Only the hair on the tail, head and legs is left long. The legs are then clipped to look like cones. These cones reach the floor and make the paws appear invisible.
If you are looking for a hairstyle that will make your Shih Tzu stand-out then this is the one. This style is relatively easy to maintain as most of the hair on the body is cut short.
Picking The Best Hairstyle
Choosing the best haircut for your Shih Tzu depends a lot on your lifestyle, where you live, what activities you like doing, and what is most visually pleasing to you.
If you are wondering how to choose the best one for your poop then read to following styles:
- Best Summer Cut: The best summer cut has to go to the haircut that has its name after this hot season: the Summer Cut! This cut is the best for the summer because of how short the hair is trimmed over the entire body. Not only is it a very practical haircut for the summer, but your Shih Tzu will look like an adorable little puppy.
- Cutest: The Teddy Bear Cut is too cute to ignore. This is the cutest Shih Tzu haircut. How could you not love your Shih Tzu having the face of an incredibly adorable teddy bear? With this haircut, the hair around the face is left longer than the rest of the body and cut spherically. This makes them look like a fuzzy little plush toy.
- Best Male Haircut: Let your male Shih Tzu channel their wild side with the Lion Cut. With this cut your best pal will look like the regal animal they were named after. The best part about it too is that it is really easy to maintain and it is great for the summer. The hair on the body is cut short similar to the summer cut, but the hair on the head and face is left long and cut into the shape of a mane.
- Best Female Haircut: If you are looking for something chic and classy for your female Shih Tzu, then it is hard to top the Cones Paws. With those cone-like and puffy legs, your little girl will be flaunting around the house like a star. You can also add a cute bow on top of her head!
- Best Short: The Summer Cut is the best short Shih Tzu haircut. It is designed for the warm weather, the hair is trimmed really close to the body. At least one inch of hair is left over the body to give your Shih Tzu some fluffiness. This really is a timeless and practical cut, and while there are many other cuts that trim the hair short, it is hard to beat this classic.
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Grooming Shih Tzus
A Shih Tzu is a high maintenance dog when it comes to grooming.
They have a lot of hair!
Their hair is very smooth and sleek and also hypoallergenic. It needs to be brushed at least once a day. You should use a wire brush with flexible pins to stop the hair from becoming tangled and matted.
Do not forget about combing through the mustache, beard and topknot.
As well as brushing, your Shih Tzu will need their hair trimming every 4-6 weeks.
This can either be at a professional groomers or you can do it yourself.
If you are going to cut your Shih Tzu’s hair then make sure to bathe them first. This will help to remove any mats and tangles before cutting.
To trim their hair you need to use clippers. You can start by shaving the hair on the pads of their feet using a 40 or 30 blade. To shave the body, choose the specific blade you want for the correct length. You can use a 40 blade for a very short trim such as the Puppy Cut.
Make sure to shave in the same direction using downward strokes and trim evenly.
Once you are happy with your trim, you can use scissors to cut off any hair you could not get to with the clippers. After you are done with the body, you can start cutting off the hair on the face. You will want to carefully cut the hair over the eyes so that there is no hair poking into them.
For any specific haircut, follow the guidelines for those styles the previous section.
You will also need to trim their nails and clean their ears as part of your grooming routine. You also want to clean their eyes with an eye wash and clear out the tear stains. You can use a wet cotton ball to gently remove any mucus or debris from around your Shih Tzu’s eyes.
Grooming you Shih Tzu does take a lot of time and practice.
But in the end you get more bonding time with your little pup. If you really do not feel comfortable, then go to a professional groomer.
In Conclusion
The best haircut for your Shih Tzu all depends on you. While the Puppy Cut is a favorite among families, there are lots of other amazing haircuts.
Another cute Shih Tzu Haircut is the Teddy Bear Cut that makes your dog look like your favorite plushie. But if what you are looking or is a short haircut with some majesty, then try the Lion Cut. Boldness and chic you can find with the Cone Paws look.
Shih Tzus look good whether they have long or short hair.
Just remember when picking their haircut that short hair needs less maintenance, while long hair needs daily brushing as it can become easily tangled.
