Shih Tzu Grooming Styles

How to Achieve Shih Tzu Grooming Styles

Shih Tzu coat maintenance is essential to prevent overheating, shedding and tangling.  Since their hair grows quickly, it’s necessary to brush and groom your dog regularly and trim every 4 to 6 weeks. 

Which out of all of the Shih Tzu grooming styles is the lowest maintenance?

Shih Tzus can always get a ‘puppy cut’ if you’re concerned about maintenance.  In fact, some call this a ‘summer cut’ because it’s relatively short and helps pups fight the heat in the summer.  Overall, the trim is 1 to 2 inches across the entire body.  Any cut will still need some attention, with frequent brushing is necessary. 

However, because the hair is short, it’s less likely to tangle or gather dirt than the longer styles.

Since a puppy cut style is flexible in form and length, you can discuss your preferences with your groomer.  Basically, you can get the ears done short or long or you could opt for a longer length on the body. Check out our full description of puppy cuts.

What if I want my pet extra fluffy?

The teddy-bear trim is altogether perfect for you and your pet!  This style will make any Shih Tzu look a bit like a teddy-bear, all fluffy with furry ears.  The face will be round.

Note: the teddy-bear trim is sort of a variation of the puppy cut because it only focuses on the length of the face hair.  The length of the body is determined by the preferences of the owner.  

Is there a way to make the ‘Top knot’ practical?

Yes!  It is certainly possible for the ‘top knot,’ one of the most characteristic style for a Shih Tzu, to be practical for your pet.  The groomer creates a ponytail on top of the head and with a bow, clip or tie.  You can even add braids if you want to get super creative.  

The low-maintenance aspect to this groom is in the body with at least one inch length. The hair on the face should be short for hygiene and comfort, but other areas can stay a bit longer depending on the owners requests.

What if I want my Shih Tzu’s hair super long?

Sure, you can create the show style, but do you really have the discipline to maintain it? Super long styles are really perfect for show dogs but for everyday practicality, it’s best to at least cut the hair on the body shorter so it’s easy to brush out and prevent tangling. 

Learn more about the breed and their coat in this article by the AKC. The breed has a lot of amazing qualities that are worth learning about!

RECAP

The main Shih Tzu Grooming Styles:

• Puppy Cut
• Teddy-bear Trim
• Practical ‘Top Knot’
• Show-Ready ‘Top Knot’