Shih Poos are known for their gorgeous, glossy coats. But regular grooming, like haircuts, is essential for keeping that shine. If you’re tired of the same old thing, you might be looking for a few Shih Poo haircut ideas.
When you’re thinking of how to cut your Shih Poo’s hair, you should consider your dog’s routine, where you live, and how much time you have to devote to grooming. Keep reading to learn about the best Shih Poo haircuts!
Before scrolling down this guide, “Shih Poo Haircut Ideas,” check out these other Shih Poo guides: Best Dog Brushes for a Shih Poo and Are Shih Poos Hypoallergenic?.
1. Shih Poo Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut is a great way to keep your dog’s hair out of its eyes. If you’re going to cut it yourself, you’ll need a steady hand and practice to get that classic teddy bear appearance. The teddy bear-style haircut creates a rounder, fluffier look for the face. You can choose to have your dog’s hair cut shorter or longer.
2. Shih Poo Puppy Cut
The puppy cut is among the most popular haircut options for Shih Poos, especially during the summer months. It’s simple to trim and groom, and it helps your dog stay cool and comfortable on hot days. Furthermore, it gives the impression that the dog is still young.
Typically, the groomer leaves the hair short on the Shih Poo’s body and longer around the face and the ears. Since the style is open to individual interpretation, you have the freedom to choose how short or long you want your dog’s hair to be.
3. Shih Poo Lion Cut
The lion cut is unquestionably among the most daring haircuts you can give a Shih Poo. The style is similar to a puppy cut, except it removes more fur from the body while leaving it longer on top, giving him a lion-like appearance.
A lion cut involves shortening the hair everywhere except the head, neck, chest, and paws. The groomer keeps the body’s hair short, making it easy to style and maintain. It would be best if you made it a habit to regularly brush the mane to remove any knots and grime after the cut.
4. Shih Poo Lamb Cut
The lamb cut is a very short hairstyle with a rounded top and sides clipped close to the skin. In addition, the haircut leaves a fluffy tail, fuzzy feet, and a curly head. The groomer will also remove any knots in the ears and trim the back and paws.
5. Shih Poo Topknot
Longer facial hair is an excellent aesthetic for Shih Poos. However, if it’s stuck in your puppy’s eyes or mouth or constantly obstructs its sight, it might be a problem. The straightforward solution to that problem is the topknot cut!
To create a stylish and practical topknot for your canine companion, comb through their hair and softly draw it into a ponytail. Other versions of this style include holding the hair with multiple clips or wrapping bands.
6. Shih Poo Summer Cut
The summer cut is a simple yet classy style that will keep your dog cool during the hot summer months. This cut is longer than the lamb cut but shorter than most other cuts. It leaves a lot of volume at the base of the neck and around the ears.
The style leaves enough length on top so you can part your dog’s hair without needing to trim much afterward.
7. Top Knot Show Cut
Although the show cut may take some time to complete, the style is elegant and impressive. Most Shih Poo owners rarely trim the front and back hairs, so they constantly fall over, making this a high-maintenance style. The style necessitates routine grooming and trimming, but it’s worth the time and work!
The show cut is also climate-dependent. Your Shih Poo may become upset in hot weather due to excessive fur, but it’s beneficial in the colder months.
8. Short Cut
Occasionally, giving your puppy a complete body haircut, including the head and legs, is preferable. Many Shih Poo owners choose the shortcut to avoid future grooming headaches.
Cutting the hair short eliminates common hair care problems, including knots, tangles, and filth buildup. If your puppy has trouble keeping cool in the summer, the short haircut will help keep them cool.
9. Modern Cut
The modern cut is perfect for people who want their dogs to be on trend. If expertly cut, it draws attention to the dog’s best features, including its tail and head. Professional styling ensures neat lines and consistent highlights throughout the haircut. This style also shows your Shih Poo’s physique and provides a more natural look.
10. Winter Trim
Your Shih Poo’s coat should be clean, even in cold months! For a winter cut, the hair should be slightly longer than during summer to keep help keep the dog warm. If you’re thinking of doing this yourself, consider using clips to trim your Shih Poo instead of scissors.
11. Scissor Face Trim
Use stainless steel scissors to trim excess hair on your Shih Poo’s face. Your scissors must be sharp to prevent yanking on your Shih Poo hair. In addition, you can oil the scissor blades to make cutting easier.
We also recommend using a light touch when doing a scissor face trim, as you might be cutting very close to your Shih Poo’s skin. Brush the dog’s face to ensure you have done the cutting nicely and evenly. Don’t forget to sterilize the scissors before using them on another dog!
12. Straight Haircut
To have an even haircut on your Shih Poo, use the same scissors or clippers on the whole body. Remember to start with the legs before beginning on more sensitive areas, such as the ears, feet, and tail.
What Is the Best Haircut for a Shih Poo?
While the options are endless, a puppy cut is the best overall haircut for a Shih Poo. On the other hand, the lamb cut is the ideal summer haircut for Shih Poos. The groomer trims the hair around the puppy’s belly, neck, and hind legs to a maximum length of a 1/4 inch.
You may discuss with your groomer the possibility of changing the cut’s length to make it suitable for your puppy throughout the spring and fall seasons. The winter cut can be a good choice for a Shih Poo in colder climates since the breed is smaller and more likely to get cold.
How Often Should a Shih Poo Be Groomed?
A Shih Poo’s coat is always growing, which makes regular grooming essential. Because they have hair instead of fur, they shed less. While the absence of shedding is excellent news for allergy sufferers, it comes with a disadvantage. You must brush and trim the coat regularly to avoid tangling, dirt build-up, and other issues.
To avoid hurting your puppy, you should hire a trained groomer to get the job done. Even little scratches can soon become infectious and pose significant health risks since they are beneath the hair.
It’s advisable to bathe your puppy every three to four weeks using mild shampoos specifically formulated for Shih Poos. That ensures the coat remains glossy, smooth, and unbroken after the grooming.
Compared to other dog breeds, Shih Poos also require special care and attention throughout the grooming process to avoid injury. Similar to trimming, it might be best to hire a pro to do the work.
How Do You Groom a Shih Poo’s Face?
Grooming a Shih Poo’s face might be challenging, especially if it’s the first time you’re doing so. Here are the steps to follow while grooming your puppy’s face.
Step 1: Moisten the Head
Ensure to use lukewarm water when moistening the puppy’s head. Cold water might interfere with your puppy’s body temperature. Moreover, your puppy may suffer severe burns if you use boiling water.
Step 2: Pour Shampoo
Get a shampoo safe for canines and then apply it around the head in a circular motion, taking care to avoid any getting into the eyes. Next, get a cup or small bowl and pour water on the puppy’s head. Rub your fingers over its head to further distribute the water.
Ensure you remove all traces of shampoo residue, as any leftovers can irritate your puppy’s skin.
Step 3: Clean the Eyes
Use clean water around the Shih Poo’s eyes to remove the rheum. You may use a damp washcloth or your fingers. Don’t be rough, or you might poke your puppy in the eye. You may need a hairbrush or small scissors if the dog is stubborn.
Step 4: Dry Your Dog
Massage your Shih Poo’s head with a towel to help it warm up and remove excess water from the fur.
When Should I Groom My Shih Poo Puppy?
Grooming can start once a Shih Poo puppy is old enough to be held securely, usually between 10 and 12 weeks. If you start grooming your puppy when it’s still young, it’ll be much more amenable to the practice in the future.
Grooming is no different from any other new experience for a dog but requires a gradual introduction. However, there’s a good chance that the breeder will have given your new puppy its first bath before you bring it home.
Whether or not your puppy has had its first bath, it’s best to wait until they’re about ten weeks old to start grooming. That gives you more control and reduces your adorable pet’s risk of injury.
If you want to take your puppy to a professional groomer, you should wait until it has gotten its second round of vaccinations. The first grooming may take longer than usual, whether you do it yourself, at home, or hire a professional.
Make your puppy’s grooming experience as pleasant as possible by offering treats and affection. Sometimes it’s impossible to give a complete bath because it requires a lot of drying time and brushing, particularly if your puppy has a unique haircut.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the best and most popular haircuts for a Shih Poo is the puppy cut.
Shih Poos have hair instead of fur. This means they shed less but require more grooming. To groom your Shih Poo, you need to brush it regularly, bathe it at least once per month, trim its fur as needed, and take them to the groomer regularly.
Because Shih Poos are a mix of the Poodle and the Shih Tzu, they can end up with hair like one of their parents. They may have long hair that is straight and silky, like the Shih Tzu, or short and curly hair like a Poodle. It also may be a mix of the two!
Choose the Best Shih Poo Haircut
Shih Poos require regular grooming and are high-maintenance pets, so you should think hard before getting one. The effort you put into maintaining your puppy’s coat will be evident in its appearance.
There are numerous variations of Shih Poo haircuts. Luckily, you have the freedom to adapt a standard cut to your pet’s physical characteristics!
If you want your puppy to look its best, you should consider its well-being, contentment, and the season while deciding how to style its coat. We hope our Shih Poo haircuts list inspires you to give your dog a fabulous new look!
For more guides similar to this list showing Shih Poo haircut ideas, check out:
- Best Springer Spaniel Haircut Ideas
- Best Parti Yorkie Haircut Ideas
- Best Miniature Schnauzer Haircut Ideas
If you want to learn more about this breed, watch “Shih Poo Dog Breed Information – The All-Person Wonder Dog | Shih Poo Dogs 101” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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