Shih Tzu haircuts: which cut fits your dog
For most pet Shih Tzus, a puppy cut is the easiest haircut to live with. Here is how it compares to the teddy bear cut, the topknot and a full coat.
For most pet Shih Tzus, the best haircut is a puppy cut: one length all over, about half an inch to an inch, with the face trimmed short and round so hair stays out of the eyes. It's the easiest cut to keep brushed. A teddy bear cut leaves the face fuller, and a long coat looks beautiful but needs brushing every day.
| Shih Tzu cut | Body | Face and head | Brushing at home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy cut | ½ to 1 inch | Short and round | A few times a week |
| Teddy bear cut | ½ to 1½ inches | Full, scissored round | Face every day or two |
| Topknot | Short | Head hair long, tied up | Redo the band daily |
| Full coat | Floor length | Long, tied up | Every day, to the skin |
Shih Tzu puppy cut
The body is clipped to one even length, and the legs, ears and tail are trimmed to match. The face is kept short around the eyes and nose. It suits dogs who play outside or don't get brushed every day, and it's what most Shih Tzu owners mean when they ask for "short."
Shih Tzu teddy bear cut
The body is about the same, sometimes a little longer, but the face is left full and scissored into a circle, with the ears blended into the head. Most people picture this cut when they think of a Shih Tzu. The longer face hair needs combing every day or two, mainly around the mouth and eyes, where food and tears collect.
Topknot
The body is kept short while the hair on top of the head grows long and gets tied up with a band or bow. You keep the classic Shih Tzu look without the work of a full coat, and the hair stays out of the eyes. The band needs redoing every day or so.
Full coat
The coat grows to the floor, as in the show ring. It needs brushing down to the skin every day, or it mats quickly behind the ears and under the legs.
How often to groom a Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu hair keeps growing and sheds very little, so it has to be cut. A Shih Tzu in a puppy cut or teddy bear cut usually needs a full groom every four to six weeks, with brushing at home in between. The longer the cut, the sooner the next visit.
A Shih Tzu puppy's first haircut
Start with short, easy visits before the coat needs a real cut, so the first full groom isn't the first time your puppy meets a dryer. Your puppy's first groom covers when to go and what happens.
What to tell your groomer
Name the cut, give the body length in inches, and say how you want the face: short and clean, full and round, or a topknot. Mention tear staining or skin trouble at drop-off. For the general difference between cuts on any breed, see puppy cut vs teddy bear cut.
Shih Tzus fall in our small dog size. At Barky Mountain in Lone Tree, a full groom for a small dog starts at $85 and takes about an hour, and you can request the same groomer every visit so the cut comes out the same each time. Book a groom.
Common questions
What is the best haircut for a Shih Tzu?
For most pet Shih Tzus, a puppy cut: one length all over, about half an inch to an inch, with the face trimmed short and round. It's the easiest to keep brushed and keeps hair out of the eyes.
What is the difference between a Shih Tzu puppy cut and a teddy bear cut?
The body can be the same length. The difference is the face: a puppy cut keeps it short, and a teddy bear cut leaves it full and scissored round, which takes more combing at home.
How often does a Shih Tzu need to be groomed?
Usually every four to six weeks in a puppy cut or teddy bear cut, with brushing at home in between. Shih Tzu hair keeps growing and sheds very little, so it has to be cut.
How much does Shih Tzu grooming cost in Lone Tree?
At Barky Mountain Grooming in Lone Tree, a full groom for a small dog up to 20 pounds is $85 to $95 and takes about an hour. Heavy matting can change the price, and your groomer tells you first.
