Having a shih tzu’s hair professionally groomed or even styling it at home is of the utmost importance. While naturally, the long-haired coat of the shih tzu will look beautiful and adorable, frequent brushing, trimming, and grooming are necessary to keep their coat healthy and free of tangles.
A good Shih Tzu Hair Styles can also help complement their features such as eyes, ears, and snout making them truly stand out. When it comes to styling your Shih Tzu’s hair, you have 2 main choices:
- The short haircut
- The long haircut
A short haircut will minimize the hassle of grooming and make your pup more active and comfortable in hot weather. A long cut will show off the Shih Tzu’s magnificent coat and keep them looking dignified and fetching on any occasion! So, we bring you the top shih tzu haircuts.
Table Of Content
Short Haircut Shih Tzu
A Short haircut Shih Tzu is a style that is popular among many dog owners, as it is easy to maintain and looks very cute. This style generally involves trimming the fur around the neck and face of your pup, leaving the body with more length. Examples of Short Haircut of Shih Tzu are:
- Teddy bear Cut
- Tcup Cut
- Lion Cut
- Face Cut
- Puppy Cut
Speaking of puppy cuts, they are even shorter than short haircuts and add a bit of texture to otherwise boring fur. For all these types of cuts, regular maintenance is required to keep your pup’s coat healthy and tangle-free!
Long hair shih Tzu
As far as Shih Tzu haircuts go, the long haircut is very popular for the breed. This design leaves the fur along your pup’s neck and body longer than a face cut, making it a good option if you’re looking to reduce frequent trimmings. For optimal health, this length should not exceed two inches. Examples of Short Haircut of Shih Tzu are:
- Practical Top Knot
- Top Knot Show Cut
Teddy Bear Cut on Shih Tzu
The Teddy Bear cut on Shih Tzu is one of the most popular and sought-after looks for these little dogs. This style consists of shaving all their fur except for their head, ears, tail, and paws – leaving them with an irresistibly adorable Teddy Bear look. To add to its cozy appeal, some stylists may also leave a little bit of length around the puppy’s snout and eyes.
The teddy bear cut is essentially a winterized version of the summer buzz cut, as it creates a thicker coat that can keep your pup warm during colder months. However, it’s important to ensure the layer of fur around your Shih Tzu’s body isn’t too thick or too thin – groomers suggest preferably staying between ¼ and ½ inch. Your pup’s other areas such as head, ears, tail, and paws should have fur lengths of about 2-2 1/2 inches for an even look that balances out the Teddy Bear style.
Depending on how much your pup’s fur grows, you may need to brush them every two or three days to prevent tangles and matting. Additionally, they will require more frequent baths than if they had a short buzz cut due to the thicker layer of fur that traps dirt more easily. That said, this look is worth it for pampering your pup with a bit of extra grooming from time to time!
Tcup Shih Tzu
The Teacup Shih Tzu cut is perfect for small breeds. This style involves a full body trim with the fur kept short all over the pup’s body, as well as around its eyes and ears. To finish off this look, you can add some styling elements such as braids, haircuts, or longer fur around their face and neck area for a more dramatic effect. Be sure to keep up with regular grooming maintenance to ensure your pup’s coat remains to look healthy and vibrant!
This hairstyle is great for those looking to keep their pup low-maintenance and simple. The Teacup Shih Tzu is a great look for the summer months as it helps keep your pup cool, as well as makes them look adorably stylish! Note that some time and care should be taken with the maintenance of this hairstyle due to the small size of the Shih Tzu breed. Take clear instructions from your pet groomer (if using one) on how to properly maintain a Tcup cut so that you can ensure that your companion always looks his or her best!
While the Tcup hairstyle does not require more brushing or grooming than other Shih Tzu styles, it is important to be mindful of the specific needs of your pup’s fur. Regularly brushing their fur, you can also keep the coat healthy by using specialized products that contain natural oils, such as jojoba oil or coconut oil. Doing so will help replenish essential nutrients in their fur.
Additionally, take special care around the eyes and ears since this Tcup cut leaves them slightly more exposed than its longer counterparts. Use a gentle shampoo near these areas and check regularly for any build-up or debris that could cause irritation or infection. It is recommended to groom your pup lightly each day to ensure they are looking their best!
Shih Tzu Face Haircut
Upgrade your pup’s look with a trendy Shih Tzu face haircut! This style emphasizes their cute cheeks, making them stand out from any pup in town. The length of the fur on their cheeks can also be tailored to your liking- from slightly shorter fur to more full and fluffy fur. Have fun creating different styles by using a pet comb and trimmers with various attachments and lengths. With this look, you’ll be sure to get plenty of compliments for your pup’s chic new style!
The ideal length to keep your Shih Tzu face cut depends on the pup’s individual needs. Generally, it’s recommended to leave the fur around their neck a bit longer to provide warmth and coverage, while keeping their cheeks, muzzle, and forehead shorter. Too long of fur on your pup’s face may cause vision impairment or other health issues if not properly taken care of. If you plan on trying this look out at home, aim for an overall length that is slightly shorter than 1-2 inches and work with various trimmer attachments or combs to achieve a style you love!
To maintain this look, it’s important to give your pup regular brushing and grooming sessions to keep their fur silky smooth and free of knotting. For general upkeep in between groomings, you’ll want to pay extra attention to their face. Use a comb and trimmer with various attachments to get rid of any tangles or knots at least once per week. Overly long fur around the eyes should also be trimmed so that your pup has an adequate vision. Finally, if you notice any itching or skin irritation occurring, take your pup in for an additional grooming session or vet appointment as soon as possible.
Lion Cut
Give your pup a lion’s mane with the popular Lion Cut! The Lion Cut is a great choice for those who want their Shih Tzu to look and feel as regal as possible. This style involves trimming down fur all over the body except for the face, neck, and tail, which are allowed to grow out in a long and curly fashion. To complete the look, add some simple styling touches such as adding curls or spiking the top of their head.
Besides the obvious aesthetic benefits of the Lion Cut, this style is perfect for dogs who are prone to tangles and mats. By trimming all the fur besides their face, neck, and tail, you decrease the amount of grooming and styling that needs to be done. Plus, these parts of your pup’s body that are left untouched produce oils that can help protect their skin from sun damage and keep it moisturized in hot weather.
While the Lion Cut does require more frequent brushing to keep it looking its best, it is still one of the lower maintenance haircuts for Shih Tzus. It does need a good combing at least once or twice a week to keep tangles and mats from forming, but unlike other styles that may require daily brushing and trimming, this style only needs to be done once in a while. This makes the style great for busy pet owners who don’t have time for lengthy grooming sessions each day. With just a few minutes of styling each week, you can keep your pup’s mane tight and fluffy!
Puppy Cut
The puppy cut is a basic all-over trim style that gives the Shih Tzu a neat, clean look. All the fur is trimmed to an even length and is finished with minimal trimming near sensitive areas such as around the eyes and ears. This style offers convenience but also manages to keep your pup looking fashionable. It’s just long enough to show off the cute little curls of their coat and requires minimum maintenance on your part.
The puppy cut is generally kept at a fairly short length, usually between 1 and 2 inches. The hair on their legs, face, and tails is kept the shortest, while their body may be clipped slightly longer. Proper clipping techniques depend largely on an individual’s preferences, but should never result in the trimming of the skin or too close of a shave.
The puppy cut is especially popular during the summer months as it provides gentle air circulation. This style also helps to reduce mats and tangles that tend to occur when the Shih Tzu’s long fur isn’t kept in check. Many pet parents opt for this style so that their pup can stay cooler and cleaner during those hot months.
The best thing about the puppy cut is that it only requires trimming every few weeks. This gives you more free time since you don’t have to spend hours each week brushing out their fur and preventing knots from forming.
Despite the low maintenance of the puppy cut, regular brushing and combing are still required. Since the fur is kept short, it’s easier for mats and tangles to form due to their thick coats. To keep their coat healthy and shiny, be sure to brush them regularly with a pin brush or fine-toothed comb. This will also help to minimize discomfort by removing shedding fur before it has a chance to become tangled in its coat.
Practical Top Knot
If you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain cut that still delivers a stylish look, the practical top knot haircut of Shih Tzu is a perfect choice. This style focuses on a short trim around the face and neck area while leaving the rest of the furlong and layered. While this popular look usually includes no additional trimming along the back, pet owners can choose to opt for a slightly shorter length for better styling options.
A practical top knot haircut for a Shih Tzu involves tying the hair on the head into one large or two smaller knots, depending on their fur length, and using clips, ribbons, or barrettes to keep it in place. The rest of the hair should then be trimmed to at least an inch in length, making sure no bits of fur are hanging into their eyes or mouths. By doing this you can ensure your furry friend keeps looking stylish and comfortable. To reduce any unwanted tangles or mats in your pup’s long fur, a weekly brushing routine is essential.
Top Knot Show Cut
The Top Knot Show Cut of Shih Tzu is a rigorous and time-intensive style that requires regular and often daily grooming. This lengthy cut involves shaving the head, neck, chest, back, and legs very short while leaving the hair on the hind quarters long. This will result in your Shih Tzu’s hair from their back falling all the way down to their feet!
A top knot show cut is a popular grooming choice for the Shih Tzu breed. To achieve the look, their fur should be trimmed to an even length all over. Additionally, their hair should be brushed several times a day to ensure that it stays in top condition and does not become tangled. Regular brushing will help keep their coat looking neat and tidy for show floor events.
Tips For Keeping Your Shih Tzu’s Hair & Coat Healthy
Brushing the coat
Brushing your Shih Tzu’s hair and coat is one of the most important steps for proper grooming. Not only does it help remove dirt and debris from their fur, but it also stimulates natural oils which promote a beautiful, healthy coat. Start by using a slicker brush on their long hair to work through tangles and mats. Then switch to a fine-toothed comb or pin brush to add shine and remove any remaining dirt or debris. Finally, use a soft bristle brush to finish up and give your pup’s coat an extra touch of shine.
Get Smart With Your Shampoo Choices
Different types of coats need different shampoo formulations to keep them healthy and beautiful. For long-haired Shih Tzus, you’ll want to choose a mild conditioning shampoo that won’t strip away the natural oils that help your pup’s fur maintain its shine. For shorter coats, opt for a shampoo specially formulated for sensitive skin — this can help prevent irritation, keep the coat clean without removing essential oils.
Get On the Loose Hair Mowing Schedule
It’s easy to overlook a proper brushing schedule for Shih Tzus. But regular grooming is essential to maintaining healthy fur and preventing hair mats. Brush your pup with a slicker brush about two times per week for short coats and up to three times per week for longer coats. Don’t forget to use a dematting comb to get rid of any knots before it becomes an issue. When it comes to loose hair mowing, this should be done once-per-month or as needed depending on the amount of shedding in-between mows.
Quality Conditioner and Coat Protector
Using a special conditioning shampoo for dogs between mows will help keep the hair moisturized and prevent tangles. And if that isn’t enough, investing in a good-quality coat protector can go a long way when it comes to keeping your Shih Tzu looking its best. Coat protectors not only repel dirt, they also lock out humidity and keep your pup’s coat smooth and shiny.
Final thought
The Shih Tzu’s long, flowing coat requires regular grooming and styling to keep them looking their best. Their fur should be brushed multiple times a week with a specialized brush designed for their long, silky coats to prevent mats and tangles. They can also benefit from regular trims or visits to the groomers to keep hair around the face tidy and even. With proper care, your Shih Tzu’s coat can look beautiful and healthy!
Source: https://www.rover.com/blog/shih-tzu-haircut-styles
