When you own Shih Tzus, you know that they have a lot of fur. Of course, they are a fun and energetic addition to your family. You can explore together and make fantastic memories. But you always have some maintenance when it comes to their coat. In particular, they are going to need regular brushing, baths and trims.
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Some people decide that they want to cut their Shih Tzu’s hair by themselves. Others will visit a professional groomer to get the job done. Either way, we have some awesome and cute haircut styles you have got to check out!
Popular Shih Tzu Haircut Styles
There are a number of different ways you can cut your Shih Tzu’s fur. In fact, you have a lot of freedom to do whatever you want! But if you are looking for some inspiration, here are some of the best Shih Tzu haircut styles that we love.
The Lion Cut
The first haircut style on our list for Shih Tzus is the adorable lion cut. This is definitely going to make everybody take notice of your pooch when you are out and about. The aim of the lion cut is to emphasize the fur on their face, creating a mane that resembles the mighty lion. In order to do this, you should keep the fur around 1.5 to 2 inches long, trimming in a shape that looks like a mane. In addition, the body hair is kept short and you can use clippers to achieve this.
The Puppy Cut
Do you miss when your Shih Tzu was a puppy? They always looked so cute and adorable with their fluffy and growing coats. Well, the good news is that you can relive the good old days with the puppy cut! This is a lovely haircut style that makes any Shih Tzu look sweet and young again. It is also going to be a good haircut style for during the summer months when it is hot outside.
The puppy cut involves trimming the body fur to around 1 to 2 inches. This is going to reveal fluffy fur. Then to resemble the puppy look, you are going to keep the facial hair a little longer. You can still make trims to remove some hair and create shape. This is an easy haircut for most people to do, which is why it remains one of the most popular. But you will still need to keep up with maintenance, such as regular brushing to avoid tangles and matting. Of course, you can also adjust the length of the body hair to suit your canine.
The Top Knot
We all know the top knot trend, right? Well, this style is also popular with Shih Tzus and it can look very cute when you are out and about. It is also practical too, as it keeps the long fur out of your pup’s eyes. The top knot style is accompanied by a long coat all over the body. It will need brushed every day to stay silky and smooth and to prevent knotting and tangles. You can trim away some of the fur on the face.
Of course, the great thing about the top knot is that you can have some fun. You can tie your furry friend’s fur with cool clips, as well as colorful ribbons. It is another way to accessorize your Shih Tzu and you can even match them to your outfit.
The Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut is trending right now for a lot of dogs that have an abundance of fur. And there is a good reason for this; they look so cute! Just as the name suggests, the teddy bear cut is going to make your furry friend look like an adorable teddy bear. It is almost similar to the puppy cut. You are going to cut the body fur to around 2 to 2.5 inches in length. Then you leave the face hair longer at around 4 inches. Then you just have to cut the fur around the face into a circular shape to resemble a cute teddy bear.
Again, regular trimming may be necessary to maintain the teddy bear cut. Brushing on a daily basis is beneficial too, which will avoid matting and tangles. These can look bad and also be uncomfortable for your beloved companion.
The Show Cut
If you love Shih Tzus, you will have seen the fancy haircut they have when they are in competitions. This is often referred to as the show cut. But your furry friend does not have to be entered into competitions for you to enjoy this haircut style. Instead, they can prance around at home and look one million dollars!
The first thing to realize is that the show cut is not easy. There is going to be a lot of maintenance required for this one, as well as a lot of work to trim the coat. Overall, the fur is kept very long for this style. This means you will have to brush it regularly, as much as a few times every day. Additionally, trims will have to be made every week. The hair flows for this style but there is a top knot that keeps the fur out of your Shih Tzu’s face. Again, unless you have a lot of time on your hands, the show cut is going to be a lot of work!
Dogs Can Be Scared of Brushing
There are some dogs that do not like being brushed. This can make it very difficult to cut your furry friend’s coat, as well as maintain their luscious locks in between trims. But this does not mean that you have to give up. It is just going to take some time and training for them to realize that brushing is not as bad as they think.
If you can, start brushing your beloved companion from when they are a puppy. This is going to get them accustomed to brushing. But if your canine is older, you need to allow them to see the brush before you use it. Approach them slowly and do not rush. It can take several times of sitting near the brush and moving it around without touching them. In addition, positive interactions are going to be crucial and you may need some treats on hand.
You can try techniques like laying the brush on the ground and placing treats on it. This can allow your Shih Tzu to investigate the brush and get used to it. Eventually, you can work towards trying to brush your pup’s coat. Again, make sure that you are gentle and take your time. Patience will be key
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Ask a Vet Live NowYour Dog May Not Like the Bath
Not only can it be hard to brush your furry friend, but some Shih Tzus are not going to like going in the bath either. This is going to make the grooming process difficult. But this does not mean that you have to give up and have a stinky pooch. Instead, you are going to have to take some time to accustom your canine to the process.
First of all, the earlier you can start bathing your dog the better. This is going to get them used to the process and mean that they are not scared when they are adults. Start by choosing the right shampoo for your pooch. This may be one for sensitive skin or one that prevents fleas. Either way, choose a reputable brand that does not contain a lot of chemicals. The last thing you want is to strip away all of the important oils. This will take the shine and healthiness away from your furry friend’s coat.
Next you are going to need to pick up your Shih Tzu and put them in the tub. Do not start by simply soaking them with water. Take everything slowly and start with little bits of progress. This could be getting one paw wet and moving upwards. Make sure that you always protect the eyes and ears of your canine. This is going to lower the risk of infections.
Positive reinforcement is going to be very important during bath time. This is going to help your canine get used to what is going on and know that nothing bad is going to happen. Talk to them through the process and praise them for being a good boy or girl. Some dogs will take time to stay still during bath time. You can always use lick mats that attach to the bath wall to keep them occupied. In particular, some Shih Tzus love peanut butter. If you put this on the lick mat, they will be distracted by their favorite food. They will hardly notice that you are cleaning them! This can take away the anxiety from this time in the day. In the future, they can learn they will also get a treat and think that bath time is not so bad after all.
The Benefits of Choosing a Groomer
You may be considering choosing a groomer for your Shih Tzu. This can be a good idea if you do not have the time to cut your canine’s coat. If you are struggling to get your Shih Tzus to enjoy bath time, it may be time to bring in the professional Indeed, there are a number of reasons why you should consider a groomer for your beloved companion. Let’s take a look at some so that you can make up your mind.
They Have the Tools
If you are new to having a dog that needs regular grooming, it can cost a lot to have all of the right tools at home. The good thing about using a professional groomer is that they already have everything they need. From scissors to razors, you can depend on them to have the best equipment for your Shih Tzu. They can also use special shampoos if your dog has skin allergies and be able to cut your dog’s fur properly.
They Can Handle Dogs
You may be having trouble bathing your pooch or getting them to stay still when you are trying to cut their fur. This is common when owners take on the role of the groomer. Some pups will take advantage of this. But a professional groomer has the experience to know exactly how to handle all types of dogs, large and small. Therefore, it can save you a lot of energy and stress by letting them take over. Then you can just focus on having good times with your canine at home.
They Have the Skills
Let’s not forget that cutting your dog’s hair is not easy. It can take practice to get it right. If you make a mistake, everybody is going to see! This is exactly why there are professional groomers. If you have seen one of our favorite haircut styles and want to try it out on your Shih Tzu, you can always ask your groomer. They are going to have acquired the skills through experience and training to get it right the first time.
They Do All the Dirty Work
There are dogs out there that love to roll in muddy and get very dirty. This can make it a nightmare for you to clean your furry friend. Sometimes, it is better to let a groomer take care of all that for you. This can include cleaning out the anal glands and removing any fleas your pup might have without you noticing. This is not always something you want to do as a dog owner. But these things need to be done. A professional groomer is not going to complain and it is all part of the job. This can avoid you from having to do the dirty work.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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