There are various types of Shih Tzu haircuts you can choose from, and this article is here to help you make an informed decision by providing you with some of the most popular styles.
A Shih Tzu is a small, low-maintenance dog that is very playful. It tends to have a thick and long coat. It is also known to have floppy ears, large round eyes, a short snout, and a stout posture. A Shih Tzu’s coat does not stop growing. As such, it is always a good idea to groom it regularly.
In searching for a furry friend, you settled for a lovely little guy with two adorable cocked ears. Your decision turns out to be the best decision you’ve ever made, and your Shih Tzu, with his little white legs, big eyes, and dainty tail, quickly become a treasured member of the family.
Before you scroll down this list of Shih Tzu haircut styles, check out: 5 Best Shih Tzu Breeders in the United States! (2023) and 8 Best Shih Tzu Rescues in the United States! (2023).
The Benefits of Grooming a Shih Tzu
Groom your Shih Tzu regularly, and it will become a better companion. Several benefits come with grooming your Shih Tzu.
Your Shih Tzu Will Become a More Enjoyable Pet
Regular grooming removes dirt, dandruff, and dead hair from your Shih Tzu’s coat. It will make your dog look cleaner and more presentable, along with eliminating any odors present in your dog’s fur.
Taking Care of Your Dog’s Hair Will Make It Healthier
When you groom your Shih Tzu regularly, you eliminate the risk of it developing infections. For instance, when you regularly brush your dog’s hair, you prevent the chances of it getting mange.
Your Dog’s Coat Will Look Shiny and Beautiful
Grooming your Shih Tzu regularly will help you grow a healthy, shiny coat. Regular grooming also helps ensure that your dog’s coat gets properly moisturized. It, in turn, reduces the chances of your Shih Tzu developing a dry and brittle coat.
You Will Have a Better Relationship with Your Dog
When you regularly groom your Shih Tzu, you bond with it. This bonding makes for a stronger relationship between the two of you. When this happens, there is a greater possibility that your dog will be obedient to you.
If you want to enjoy these benefits, then you should groom your Shih Tzu regularly. It will also ensure that your dog remains happy and healthy.
The Best Shih Tzu Haircuts
Now that you know why it is important to groom your dog, this section will detail some of the top Shih Tzu haircuts you can try out on your furry friend. A variety of factors will determine the style you choose, such as:
- The shape of your Shih Tzu’s face
- Your dog’s hair growth cycle
- The personality of the dog
- The season of the year
For instance, during the summer, you will want to give your Shih Tzu a haircut that keeps it comfortable without being too hot or uncomfortable. On the other hand, during the cold season, a Shih Tzu style that keeps the dog warm can be better.
These are some of the best Shih Tzu haircuts:
1. Puppy Cut
This cut is also popularly known as the summer cut. Owners prefer a typical short Shih Tzu haircut during hot days. With this popular haircut, the groomer will uniformly trim the dog’s hair to one to two inches throughout the body except for the face, where they will leave the hair to be a little bit longer than the rest of the body. This leaves the coat soft and fluffy.
Most Shih Tzu owners prefer this haircut due to the following reasons:
- It keeps the dog cool and comfortable on hot days.
- It requires minimal maintenance and grooming requirements. You can wash and brush your dog regularly or blow dry the dog, and you are all set.
- It is also less expensive than other Shih Tzu haircuts as it involves minimal styling.
2. Lion Cut
The lion cut is another haircut for a Shih Tzu preferred by owners who like to go for a more stylish look. The cut helps transform the dog into a charming little lion by emphasizing hair around the face.
As such, what happens with this haircut is the groomer will trim the rest of the body to one to two inches. They will then incorporate a mane-like appearance around the face by leaving the hair longer than the rest of the body. The reasons why most Shih Tzu owners prefer this haircut include the following:
- It creates a unique and charming look that will make your dog look like a lion.
- It also provides extra protection to your dog’s face during the cold seasons while maintaining a unique look.
However, it is vital to note that the lion cut will require frequent trimming to maintain the mane look around the face. For this case, you must ensure that you visit the groomer for regular maintenance after every four to six weeks.
3. Teddy Bear Cut
Who doesn’t love a teddy? The teddy bear is an adorable animal that makes for a great friend. With the teddy bear cut, your Shih Tzu will look adorably like a stuffed toy.
This haircut is one of the simplest cuts you can give your Shih Tzu. Here, your groomer will need to uniformly trim the dog’s coat to two and a half inches all over the body except for the face, where they will keep the hair at an appropriate length of about four inches. You will need to get in touch with a professional groomer to achieve this unique look for an outstanding result.
There are several reasons why some Shih Tzu owners may prefer this cut:
- It makes the dog look more adorable.
- It is also a simple haircut that requires minimal grooming and maintenance.
However, you must ensure that you regularly look for tangles since the groomer leaves the hair puffy with this haircut. Regular trimming will be necessary to keep the dog looking neat.
4. Practical Top Knot
The practical top knot is a popular haircut that looks best on dogs with medium to long hair. It involves keeping the hair tied up at the top by ensuring it doesn’t cover the dog’s eyes.
This cut will need a couple of adjustments. Firstly, the hair extension should be at least one inch to complement the dog’s appearance. Secondly, you need to ensure that you pair a very capable hair tie as such will ensure that the curls stay in place for them to look neat. It is also best to wash and brush your Shih Tzu coat regularly to keep the dog looking neat.
The reasons why some Shih Tzu owners prefer this haircut include the following:
- It makes your dog look beautiful and unique by incorporating snazzy ribbons or clips.
- It also ensures that your dog remains comfortable throughout the day.
- It is also great for busy people as it doesn’t require much time or effort.
5. Top Knot Show Cut
If you love a more sophisticated look on your Shih Tzu, then the top knot show cut is a great choice. This haircut requires you to leave your dog’s hair to grow extremely long so that it falls back. The haircut is great for dogs attending shows that require a fancy presentation.
Shih Tzu owners who prefer this type of cut are those who have the time and effort required for grooming. To achieve a top knot show cut, you must start growing your dog’s hair some months before the show. The hair must be able to grow down its neck.
In addition, the Shih Tzu’s top knot show cut requires frequent maintenance, including trimming or untangling.
The reasons why most Shih Tzu owners prefer this haircut are:
- The dog’s hair will look great in a show.
- It also ensures that the dog’s head will remain warm during the cold seasons.
Owners should be cautious not to use this style during the summer as the dog may be prone to overheating and experience discomfort.
6. Puppy Cut With Longer Tail and Ears
If you are looking for a fun way to give your Shih Tzu a simple but unique style, you can consider the puppy cut with a long tail and ears.
To achieve this style, all the groomers will trim your Shih Tzu’s coat to either two or two and a half inches while leaving the ears and tail of your dog longer at four to five inches. The ears should be left looser to give your dog a charming look.
The most common reason why Shih Tzu owners prefer this type of cut is that it looks adorable on their dogs. In addition, it also ensures that the dog remains warm during the cold seasons without making them uncomfortable.
In addition, a Shih Tzu cut in this style is usually easy to maintain. You will, however, have to be careful that your dog doesn’t get its long hair stuck in its face.
7. The Full Shave
The full shave is another simple and easy Shih Tzu cut that will make your dog look like a brand-new one.
With this style, the groomer will shave your dog’s body and tail to the skin and leave slightly longer hair on the face and ears. However, they will ensure that the dog does not go completely bald by ensuring the hair stays at a length of about four inches. Doing this will protect the dog from too much cold or heat.
Owners who prefer this style enjoy it because due to several reasons:
- It makes the dog look clean and beautiful.
- It is also perfect for showing your dog’s unique personality.
- It is also simple to maintain as it only requires you to brush the dog’s coat regularly.
If you are the type of person who doesn’t like to wear much, then the full shave is ideal for you. It is, however, vital to note that you should keep the shaved parts of your dog moisturized using a quality moisturizer; this will ensure that shaving doesn’t dry the skin.
8. Flared Bottom Style
Who doesn’t love a cute fluffy dog? The flared bottom style is a great choice to give your Shih Tzu a haircut that gets everyone’s attention. Though it is rare compared to other Shih Tzu cuts, the flared bottom style is a fun and exciting way to spice up your dog’s look.
The groomer will leave the hair at about two to three inches on the whole body except for the face, tail, and legs. They will then ensure the legs flare out, similar to a skirt.
The likes of many Shih Tzu owners who prefer this style include:
- It is great since it shows off your dog’s personality.
- It is also great for owners who love Shih Tzus with long, flowing hair.
You can choose the length and style of the flares to make your dog unique. You should note, however, that the style incorporates more work than other Shih Tzu cuts.
9. Japanese Cut
This style is another type of Shih Tzu cut that requires grooming regularly. The Japanese cut is only suitable for those with the time and effort to do so.
With this style, you will need completely shorten your Shih Tzu’s body hair except for the legs and ears, where you have to keep the hair on these parts longer. You can keep the hair circular, tapered, naturally shaped, or straight for the legs.
The Japanese cut isn’t a very popular Shih Tzu haircut, but it is great for those who love their dogs to look unique and mature. The style is ideal for people who like having a Shih Tzu look like a little adult.
Shih Tzu owners who prefer this cut include owners with adventurous personalities.
10. Cone Paws
The cone paws are one of the most adorable Shih Tzu haircuts you can find. It is a popular cut among Shih Tzu owners who want their dogs to have qualities like miniature horses.
The cone paws style requires the dog’s body to be completely shaved except for the legs, tail, and head. You will then trim the fur on the legs to a cone-shaped cut. If you opt for this style, you should prepare for regular grooming sessions to maintain the dog’s look.
Most Shih Tzu owners prefer the cone paws cut due to various reasons:
- It is adorable.
- It makes the dog look unique and special.
11. Shih Tzus with Ponytails
This type of Shih Tzu cut is also popular among owners who want their dogs to look special. It is also a good style to use during the winter when you want your dog’s head to remain warm.
The Shih Tzu’s hair will be kept longer on the ears and tail, forming a ponytail. Owners can use accessories such as elastic bands to make the ponytails colorful and more interesting.
Shih Tzu owners who prefer this style include:
- Owners who want their dog to look unique, playful, and attractive.
- Those who have the time to take care of their dog’s hair regularly.
12. Facial Haircut
The facial haircut is another excellent choice if you want your Shih Tzu to look adorable. The facial haircut requires your dog’s hair to be short except on the face, where the hair is left slightly longer.
However, with this style, you must be extremely cautious by not letting the hair strands fall into the pup’s eyes. Too much hair in the eyes can cause serious damage and even permanent vision loss. Ensure that you keep the facial hair neat to avoid such complications.
13. Short and Layered
The short and layered Shih Tzu cut is another popular haircut that involves keeping the hair short and voluminous. As such, this style makes it easy for owners to maintain as it only requires brushing the dog’s coat regularly. It is an excellent choice for dogs with thick coats and owners who like a simple yet fabulous-looking Shih Tzu.
Frequently Asked Questions
The puppy cut and top knot are two of the most popular Shih Tzu looks.
On average, aim to go to the groomer every six weeks, though certain styles are more demanding and require upkeep every four weeks.
A dog’s coat will protect it from the elements, so while shaving might seem like a good idea during the warmer months, it can backfire if overdone.
Conclusion for “Best Shih Tzu Haircuts”
Shih Tzus have been bred for some time and are adorable small dogs. They are known for their attractive and unique looks, and as such, they have a lot of admirers.
There are various Shih Tzu haircuts you can choose from, as we’ve outlined. Your style largely depends on your preferences and what you want your dog to look like. You will also want to take into account your dog’s personality. For instance, if you have an adventurous dog, you can choose a matching style. Feel free to experiment until you find your ideal look!
For more guides similar to this list showing the types of Shih Tzu haircuts, check out:
- Best Shampoo for a Shih Tzu – Top 7 Picks! (2023)
- The 6 Best Scissors for Grooming a Shih Tzu in 2023!
- The 11 Best Dog Foods for the Shih Tzu! (2023)
If you find these Shih Tzu haircuts interesting, you can learn more by watching “A beautiful haircuts shih tzu – How to groom shih tzu?” 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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