If you’re looking for Shih Tzu haircuts that’ll turn your pup into a real star, you came to the right place!
Hairstyles aren’t just meant for dog shows; they’re also a great way to express a canine’s personality and temperament.
Shih Tzus have beautiful long coats that can be styled in many ways, depending on the pet’s comfort and the owner’s personal preferences.
Every style from the list below fits both male and female Shih Tzus!
If you’re looking for cute Shih Tzu haircuts, read the article below and find the perfect hairstyle for your furry friend!
Adorable Shih Tzu Haircuts For Your Pup
This dog breed looks adorable in every way, but if you go with the right haircut, that’ll turn them into stunning pups that will get everyone’s attention!
A Shih Tzu’s hair can be styled in many ways, including medium, long, or short haircuts that’ll look equally good on your pet.
The Shih Tzu haircuts shown in the paragraphs below might assist you in selecting the style of cut you would want to give your new puppy.
1. Cone Paws Cut
This type of cut is characterized by the luxurious hair coat that covers the paws of the Shih Tzu, while the rest of the hair is cut as short as the owner wants (as long as the paws are the main focus).
Essentially, the legs of the dog should be shaped like cones. Truth be told, this unusual look will attract everyone’s attention, and it’ll also make the owner’s life a bit easier than longer cuts mentioned below.
Of course, there’s always at least one “but.” In this case, it refers to having to cut your pet’s hair regularly in order to maintain this dog look.
A Shih Tzu’s hair grows pretty fast. If it’s not trimmed frequently, the coat will lose its shape, and your Shih Tzu might be left without its stylish haircut.
2. Dress-Up Cut
There are many adorable pieces of dog clothes for Shih Tzus that make them look even cuter (if that’s even possible).
However, due to their long coat hair, some pieces might not look the best on them. But, with the dress-up style, every dog jacket will suit your Shih Tzu perfectly!
The main focus of this cut is to clip all hair from the torso and the back, and leave the coat fur that’s visible under the jacket.
One of the things you should keep in mind is to cut the hair around the muzzle as well (hair in mouth is a big no-no).
Also, make sure that the pooch’s longer parts of the hair look just as good as the jacket. It would be a shame to have a cute pooch with a great jacket and unkempt hair.
3. Ponytail Hairstyle
A Shih Tzu’s long hair is a great base for a variety of hairstyles that will turn everyone’s heads! It’s no surprise that these small pups are very popular as family canines, especially because they’re great with small children, according to the breed standard.
Don’t be surprised if you find your pet covered in colorful hair accessories that you bought for your daughter (most of us probably do the same!)
You can also play with the Shih Tzu’s hair and discover some new hairstyles on your own. Ponytails will look amazing on your pup, but they’ll also be of great help in order to keep the hair in place and without tangles.
If you want to accentuate the ponytails, you can take the clippers and cut the rest of the body hair shorter. This way, the ponytails will look even more lavish.
4. Medium-Length Cut
This is a classic look that is perfect for male Shih Tzus. It’s easy to maintain, and it still looks great.
However, keep in mind that this length also requires grooming. Just because a Shih Tzu’s hair is shorter doesn’t mean that there’s no need to brush its coat hair regularly.
Shorter coats can also become matted if the hair’s not brushed at least two times per week. If you want to avoid tangled Shih Tzu hair, frequent grooming is necessary.
Still, it’ll be a lot easier to groom a medium- to a short-length coat than a full-length Shih Tzu coat.
5. Teddy Bear Cut
This is one of the most famous cuts for Shih Tzus and the majority of small breeds with longer hair, such as Pomeranians and Poodles.
Professional groomers state that this type of cut has been high in demand in the last few years. Small dog breeds generally have a tough time dealing with the majority of popular hairstyles because they practically “disappear” in them.
If the hair is too long or too fluffy, your pet will simply turn into a ball of fur with a tongue hanging out.
However, the teddy bear style fits toy breeds like Shih Tzus as it perfectly shapes their head. The rest of the dog’s body hair is cut to half an inch in length (approximately).
Keep in mind that the tail should be shaved entirely for a complete look.
If you have an energetic doggie that loves to spend time outside, I’d strongly recommend this haircut for less mess!
6. Long and beautiful
Shih Tzus are wonderful canines that are popular for their stunning, long coat hair. If you want your Shih Tzu puppy to have the appearance of a show dog, cutting its hair isn’t an option.
However, most owners will agree that it’s pretty challenging to groom such hair and keep it clean without tangles. Brushing is mandatory at least three times a week, but I’d recommend you brush the coat fur more often because long hair easily gets matted.
Although this may sound surprising to some, Shih Tzus indeed are a hypoallergenic type of canine. The main reason for that is the fact that they’re low shedders.
However, you’ll still find a few strands of hair every day on your sofa or on the carpet, but that shouldn’t cause any concern to you or your family’s health.
7. Puppy Cut
This is one of the most famous Shih Tzu haircuts that can be pulled off as an everyday style because it’s simple and short.
This cut is very similar to the teddy bear cut, and it goes well with all Shih Tzu colors and patterns, including black, blue, silver, gold, and white shades.
Those who cut their dog’s hair for practical reasons love this style. However, some Shih Tzu owners aren’t very pleased with this hairstyle, especially those who’re more concerned with the aesthetics.
The puppy cut looks cute, but nothing more than that. Some might even call it a “dull” haircut because it’s just short hair of the same length on all body parts.
8. Long Ears Puppy Cut
This is practically the same hairstyle with one adjustment – the length of the coat hair on the ears.
This hairstyle makes the puppy cut much more stylish, and it proves that even the slightest change can make a huge difference.
However, there are two sides to every coin, including this haircut. Although it looks more stylish than the regular puppy cut, this style might be potentially problematic for your dog’s health.
If you keep the ear hair long, you’ll need to clean your dog’s ears religiously, or else they might get infected.
An ear infection is generally caused by bacteria and fungus, but it can be prevented with regular hygiene.
9. Tail Hair Cut
This dog breed is gifted with a beautiful tail that grows an immense amount of hair, which falls beautifully and makes Shih Tzus look even more gracious.
Most groomers prefer leaving the tail with almost every hairstyle unless the cut doesn’t explicitly require short tail hair.
When it comes to the tail hair cut, the main focus is on the dog’s tail, so the body hair should be of noticeably shorter length.
10. Summer Cut
This hairstyle is a must during the summer months for canines with double coats like Shi Tzus or Shiba Inus.
Essentially, this type of haircut is very similar to the puppy cut, but the main difference between them is that the summer style includes trimmed body parts, but long facial hair.
The puppy style is usually strict about hair length, which should cross one inch, while the summer cut is more flexible about it.
The length of the Shih Tzu’s coat hair can be up to two inches or even more, depending on how often you plan to groom your Shih Tzu (longer hair equals dog grooming more often).
11. The Top Knot Show Cut
If you got bored with the monotonous Shih Tzu haircuts and low-maintenance styles, here’s a hair challenge that you’ll surely love!
Prepare yourself for regular brushing and clipping, which might take at least a few hours of your day (every day). However, you’ll get a Shih Tzu dog that looks like royalty!
This type of hairstyle is characterized by an extremely long coat that falls graciously to the floor and trails behind the canine, and a luxurious top knot that stands as a crown on the top of the head.
I’ve got to admit that this is one of the best Shih Tzu hairstyles in terms of aesthetics because the pup looks like a real cutie, but it’s way too complicated in terms of practicality.
The first thing you’ll have to get is a high-quality brush that can go through the thick layers of the Shih Tzu’s double coat.
Secondly, you’ll need to allocate enough time for multiple grooming sessions during the day, or else your beautiful pet’s hair will turn into a tangled nightmare.
I wouldn’t suggest this type of haircut unless you’re preparing your pet for a special occasion or a top knot show.
12. Practical Top Knot Cut
Speaking of top knots, if you find the above-mentioned styling too much for your pup, but you still like a long coat on a Shih Tzu, then this style is perfect for your pup.
Shih Tzus might become frustrated by the hair on their eyes, which is why these adorable knots are practical, too!
Take some cute and colorful ribbons, bands, or clips and turn your doggie into the cutest fluffy ball you’ve ever seen.
There are no rules when it comes to the coat length. It would be best to keep in mind that the hair isn’t shorter than one inch and doesn’t go into the canine’s mouth (no one likes that).
13. Cute Ear Cut
This haircut is very similar to the long ears cut, making the canine look like a cute puppy.
However, the main difference between these two styles is that the cute ear cut has a specific ear hair length that should be followed.
Essentially, the length of the hair should be the same as the length of each ear. If it’s longer, then it belongs to the long ears hairstyle.
Once again, don’t forget to take special care of your pup’s ear hygiene. These types of haircuts are often followed by ear infections. Of course, also remember to brush your dog’s coat regularly, or else it might become a real mess no matter how long it is.
14. Mohawk Cut
Photo form: @shihtzuclubs
This cut is perfect for all owners who are looking for a fun haircut that is different from every hairstyle on this list.
The way to achieve this look is to cut the coat fur to one-inch in length on all body parts except for the middle part on the top of the head, paws, and tail.
You can play with this style as much as you want, and even color the fur with hair dyes for canines that don’t contain any chemicals that might affect your pup.
15. Simple Cut
Some owners groom their Shih Tzus for conformation shows, and they look for hairstyles that will make their pets look amazing.
But, if you’re not planning to take your pup to dog shows, find a grooming style that will be equally simple for you and your puppy.
Keeping your pet clean and groomed is more critical than styling its hair into extravagant shapes. If you don’t have enough time for grooming, keep the hair length and the hairstyle as simple as possible.
You can always change the style – the only thing that matters is that your furry friend is comfortable in its own skin (coat).
16. Facial hair
This part of a Shih Tzu’s coat shouldn’t be neglected because it’s just as important as the rest of the body.
Facial hair requires special attention because it’s near the mouth and nose – places that are usually prone to infections just as much as ears.
Shih Tzus are not the only pups that require this type of care, and the same applies to dog breeds such as Maltese pups and Yorkies.
RELATED: Maltese Vs. Shih Tzu: Which One Should You Get?
As I mentioned before, it’s crucial to keep the dog’s hair away from its mouth. However, it’s just as important to keep it away from its eyes as well.
Unfortunately, eye infections often appear because of foreign bodies, such as strands of hair, and might even result in blindness.
Therefore, you shouldn’t trim the hair around the eyes just for aesthetic reasons, but for the pet’s health.
The best way to prevent any type of infection on your pet’s face is to keep the facial hair trimmed and tidy.
17. Lion Cut
Photo from: @shihtzuclubs
This haircut is a Shih Tzu evergreen that will never go out of style. The main focus is on the canine’s face, shoulders, and chest, which is why the hair is trimmed to resemble a lion’s mane.
The rest of the Shih Tzu’s body is trimmed to the length of two inches max in order to keep the attention on the body parts mentioned above.
However, this type of cut requires regular grooming and trimming. Make sure that your pet’s hair is cut at least every four weeks so the shorter parts don’t overgrow the longer ones that are the statement pieces of the look.
It would be best to find a professional groomer who’s well familiar with different Shih Tzu hairstyles and willing to maintain your pup’s haircut every month.
No matter which style you go for, the most stunning parts of the Shih Tzu are always their locks, but only if they’re well-kept.
18. Pup Cut
The Pup Cut is essentially the explanation about the way you should trim your pet’s hair during the first few months of its life.
This cut isn’t really necessary during the first four months of a puppy’s life, but that doesn’t mean there’s no need to groom a Shih Tzu at all.
However, I’d recommend you start clipping your canine’s hair when it turns three months just to get it used to being trimmed. It can be a few-minute extended cut that’ll help your pup get accustomed to the whole process.
19. Braided Style
Photo from: @hachi.theshihtzu
Braids are always in, and it would be a shame not to use the Shih Tzu’s long hair for such a cute hairstyle, especially if it’s combined with colorful bows.
Braids and pigtails are also good styles for dog shows, even though they’re more common among female pups, but they might look just as cool on male canines.
Braids are not just stylish; they’re also efficient because they keep long hair intact, with far fewer chances of getting dirty even when the pup’s outside.
However, the braids should be kept clean. It’s not recommended to keep the hair in braids all the time because they might accumulate dirt and bacteria.
20. Layered Cut
Just to be clear, every dog owner has the full right to do their pets’ hair any way they want. All of the Shih Tzu haircuts from this list are simply cute ideas that might serve as inspiration for you in case you’re looking for a change in your pet’s coat style.
Layered cuts are always welcomed because of their simplicity and practicality.
The only requirement for this cut is to keep the hair in layers; the length is completely up to you.
This haircut is also great for those owners who want their pets’ hair to look fuller than it is.
Another great thing is that layers also look good on rare shades of Shih Tzus, including brindle, red, liver, or Isabella colors.
21. Play Around Styles
Photo from: @panquecashihtzu
You can do wonders with a good brush and a creative mind. Combing the hair aside can create a very stylish and cute hairstyle that can quickly become your pup’s trademark.
22. Short Cut
Photo from: @shih_tzu_teddy_roo
The short cut is characterized by the same length of coat hair in all parts of the body.
There’s no specific length that should be applied, but the shorter the coat, the better it is.
This type of haircut is simple, but it might not be a good solution for those who prefer their pet in stylish appearances.
23. Head And Tail Cut
One of the latest trends when it comes to Shih Tzu haircuts is the body trim, which leaves the head and the tail in their full hair length.
This might seem like a good idea as it keeps the signature look of a Shih Tzu’s head and tail, but in terms of its look in general, such a haircut might not be the best choice.
24. Embellished Style
Photo from: @grooms_by_sara
If your pet’s hair is short, but you wish for a change, you might try to embellish it with some cute clips and other accessories.
You can find all sorts of hair decorations and hair clips for pets on shopping sites like Amazon, Walmart, etc.
The Equipment Needed For Grooming A Shih Tzu
Grooming a canine, such as a Shih Tzu doesn’t have to be complicated, even though they usually have double coats and long hair.
The grooming sessions can turn into a great bonding time between you and your pet if you get a good kit.
Here are some of the essential tools that will ease up the grooming process:
- Clippers
- A brush for a Shih Tzu
- A comb
- Classic scissors
- A nail trimmer
- Cotton swabs and wipes
- Towels
- A hairdryer (especially if you’re up for a longer cut)
- Conditioner
- Shampoo
- Accessories (ribbons, bands, colorful hair clips, etc.)
Sometimes, people forget that canines require special care, especially when it comes to long-haired breeds, such as the Shih Tzu.
The purchase of shampoo and a conditioner should be made with great caution because some products might contain ingredients that could irritate the dog’s skin. Make sure that you use products that are pH balanced for canines in order to avoid any health issues.
How Often Should You Groom Your Pet?
You can groom your doggie whenever you want, but I’d strongly recommend you to regularly brush him at least once every two days, if not every day, especially if your canine has long hair.
Shih Tzus can develop different types of infections, parasites, or other skin diseases if you don’t take proper care of their coat.
It’s completely understandable that you won’t always have the time to bathe, brush, and trim your pup, but try to do it as regularly as possible.
Your pet will be thankful, and you’ll have fewer things to worry about.
How Do You Groom A Shih Tzu At Home?
Photo from: @miss_dianchen91
Brush The Coat
The first step of the grooming process is to prepare your pup for a bath by combing out the hair. This is an important part that will ease up the whole process, and won’t leave your drain clogged.
Brushing the coat while it’s dry is significantly less of a challenge than trying to remove knots out of the hair after a bath.
Also, if you comb the coat before the bath, you’ll remove all of the excessive hair that would probably end up in the drain.
The Bathing Process
There aren’t many things that can go wrong during a bath, especially if you use the right products for your pup.
Shih Tzus are small canines, and they don’t require a lot of space for bathing, so you can practically do it in the sink if you want.
However, I’d recommend you get a spray nozzle extension, which will be of great help if there’s no handheld sprayer for the tub or the sink.
Keep the water away from the canine’s face and eyes as you’ll be clearing them with wipes.
Shampoo and conditioner are applied the same way as water, far away from the ears, eyes, nose, and the canine’s mouth, as these products might irritate these parts of its head.
Once you finish these steps, you can rinse the pet’s coat carefully.
Dry The Coat
You can use a regular hair dryer for this part, although many owners go for dog hair dryers because most of them don’t use heat for drying.
This part is important because the coat hair tangles more easily if it’s wet, which creates a complete mess.
If the hair is shorter, the drying process will be less time consuming. On the other hand, you’ll need a lot of patience with extra long hair until it’s fully dry, but that’s better than having to deal with tangled coat hair.
Let’s Brush, Brush, Brush
After you’re done with the bathing and drying process, you should brush your pet’s hair again to remove any potential knots and tangles that might appear when you dry the hair.
Regular brushing should be done at least once every two days, although it would be better not to skip a day.
Shih Tzus can have a very long coat that requires a lot of care, so make sure that you can commit to it, or find a hairstyle that is simpler to maintain.
Shih Tzu Haircuts: Wrapping Up
After this article, you’ll probably have an irresistible desire to change your Shih Tzu’s haircut immediately.
Although most of the cuts can be done at home, it would be better to find a professional groomer if you’re looking for a more drastic change in your pet’s hairstyle.
Some haircuts from this list can be used on other pups as well, such as Poodles and Goldendoodles! They’ll look just as adorable as Shih Tzus with a teddy bear or a lion cut.
Either way, I’m sure you’ll have great fun with your pet’s hair no matter which style you go for! Remember, Shih Tzus can live up to 16 years, so you’ll have plenty of time to try out each of these hairstyles if you want!
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