5 Shih Tzu haircut ideas

Thinking about welcoming a Shih Tzu into your life? If it’s a yes, you’re likely wondering whether it’s worth all the grooming - Shih Tzu haircuts can’t be taken lightly! And while we can guarantee that welcoming a four-legged fluffy friend into your life will be one of the most rewarding things a dog lover will ever do, it’s important to know about your prospective breed’s specific needs. And when it comes to these show dogs known for their barnets, they need a whole lot of grooming, trimming, and coat maintenance - those locks didn’t get that sleek themselves!

So if you’re ready to commit the time and funds it takes to keep a Shih Tzu’s coat clean and cute, welcome to the wonderful world of dog hairstyling…

Shih Tzus have a head and body of luscious locks that’s more like human hair than fur - which is a blessing if you’re excited by Shih Tzu hairstyles. And even if your pooch doesn’t plan on trotting along to a show any time soon, they can still rock these looks around the house and become the envy of your local walking spot.

Shih Tzu grooming

Shih Tzus are one of those wonderful dogs that don't shed much. That said, the coat of your Shih Tzu is a unique one, and taking care of it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Because it gets so long, those luscious locks need a strict grooming routine including daily brushing to help you avoid dreaded knots and tangles. Whatever your trimming routine, the American Kennel Club recommends daily maintenance, preferably with a good-quality wire brush with flexible bristles. To make sure you reach every layer of that enviable mane, divide it up when brushing to get every last knot. And don’t forget that adorable head hair! Whichever Shih Tzu haircut you choose, don’t forget about their moustache and topknot (we’d advise having one to avoid eye irritation, and for extra pzazz in the hair department).

And it’s not just the regular brushing, of course. The American Kennel Club recommends you wash your fur baby once every three to four weeks all over, and gently dab at the corner of their cute-as-a-button eyes every day. They’ll of course need their coat trimmed (as this blog suggests…!), as well as their nails, plus an ear clean. Remember, if you’re not confident in doing any of these, head to the groomers for a professional job!

Shih Tzu coat maintenance

It’s not just about looking cool, it’s about feeling it too (literally). Your pooch needs regular trimming as these cuties are sadly prone to heat stroke, especially if you’re lucky enough to live in a warmer part of the world. 

Whether you’re heading down to the groomers for your Shih Tzu’s haircut every few weeks or having a go yourself,  your pooch’s coat will need maintaining between those essential trims. So, make sure you brush those luscious locks two to three times per week with a wire hair brush, misting beforehand. While daily brushing is recommended for cuties with longer locks, a weekly brush out should be fine if they’ve got shorter hair. And as we’ve mentioned, make sure you give them a bath every three to four weeks. It’s important to stick to this routine so that your pooch can get used to it. Like all of our four-legged friends, consistency is important for their wellbeing, so keeping your grooming routine to your calendar will help reduce any anxiety. 

Cute Shih Tzu haircuts

• Puppy cut
• Lion cut
• Teddy bear cut
• Long and sleek show cut
• Long-haired head, ears and tail

Puppy cut

If you’re after a Shih Tzu hairstyle that’s low maintenance and great for your pup, the puppy cut should be ideal. Otherwise known as a ‘summer cut’, this style is the perfect way to make sure your poochs stays cool and happy over the warmer months. Easier to achieve than most other Shih Tzu hairstyles, this summer Shih Tzu haircut is clipped short. It involves trimming the body hair to one inch and keeping the facial hair ever so slightly longer, yet short enough to make sure it doesn’t flop into those sensitive eyes.

Lion cut

Always wanted a lion at home but chosen safety instead? Well now you can have it all! With the lion cut, your Shih Tzu will be transformed into… nothing that resembles a big cat. Jokes aside, while your pooch might not be able to ROAR, they will look uber cute with a lion cut - an ideal Shih Tzu haircut if you want to draw attention to that adorable face. Similar to the puppy cut, the body hair is kept short and trimmed to between one and two inches, but the hair around the face and head is cut like a mane! It’s also pretty low maintenance, so perfect for style AND ease.

Teddy bear cut

The summer cut’s winter counterpart, the teddy bear cut is almost as easy to maintain but slightly longer all over - an ideal medium-length cut. This Shih Tzu haircut is around two inches all over, with slightly longer hair over the face. It creates a little more insulation for your pooch over the colder months and transforms them into adorable, puffy teddy bears!

Long and sleek show cut

On the other end of the spectrum, the show cut is super high maintenance, but perfect if you want to have some fun with your Shih Tzu’s hairstyles. Maintaining their long, luscious locks is a daily task, but worth it if you love to admire your pooch’s locks at length. Along with being harder to maintain, it’s also harder to style, so could be one for your groomer! One thing we love about this style though (a male or female Shih Tzu haircut, may we add), is that you can play around at home with pigtails, pony tails and top knots. So, if you’re after a top knot show cut, simply grow your cutie’s hair long and style that head hair into shape!

Long-haired head, ears and tail

Just look at that tail! If you want to celebrate your Shih Tzu’s long locks but would really rather avoid hours on end of brushing, simply grow out only part of your pooch’s hair. Here’s one easy and maintainable way of doing that - be the envy of your local walking spot with a long tail, head and ear hair, with shorter locks on the body that’ll avoid knots and keep your furry friend feeling (and looking) cool.

Beginner to the grooming game?

No worries. Have your pooch the talk of the park in no time with this beginner's guide and explore more pooch crops starting with these Yorkie hairstyles.