Learn about the types of grooming for Shih Tzu: Having a groomed Shih Tzu is not just about cosmetic procedures. It is essential to maintain the health of their coat and skin, as well as ensure thermal comfort during the warmer months of the year.
Shih Tzu’s fur is long, fine, and abundant. Without grooming, it can reach the ground. It may be beautiful to watch a Shih Tzu running – they seem to be floating – but their coat increases the risk of slips and falls.
Different grooming styles for Shih Tzu
Puppies can receive their first grooming at around five months of age when their coat has developed evenly. Until they reach full physical development, it is recommended to give them a puppy cut, with their fur trimmed short, which makes their lives easier and maintains their puppy-like appearance for a longer time.
The abundant coat of Shih Tzu allows owners to modify their appearance from time to time, adopting different styles at each stage of life. However, the most important thing is that grooming does not interfere with their anatomical functionality.
There are no defined rules for grooming in the official breed standards, but generally, male Shih Tzus have shorter facial hair, while females keep their “mane” longer, including for the purpose of making topknots, braids, ribbons, and bows easier.
01. Hygienic grooming
This cut can be done on any medium- or long-haired dog. It is the basic grooming. It consists of removing excess fur. For Shih Tzu, the fur on the paws, abdomen, and genital area is trimmed.
02. Summer grooming
This cut is recommended for summer, but only for overheated dogs: it is necessary to check beforehand whether they are comfortable with long hair in hot weather.
In this style, all the fur on the body is shortened. Usually, the facial hair is kept slightly longer.
Dogs often show thermal discomfort when they stretch their legs backward and rest their bellies directly on the ground (especially on cold floors).
03. Puppy cut
The puppy cut can be done with scissors or clippers. Generally, the fur is left longer on the head (especially the mustache and ear hair), while the neck, body, and legs are kept freer. The tail should be uniformly trimmed.
This cut is recommended mainly for puppies, whose hair is very fine and tangles more easily, but it can also be done on adult dogs to give them a youthful appearance. It leaves the fur shorter and lighter. It is one of the most popular grooming styles for Shih Tzu in the country, especially during the summer.
04. Lion cut
In the lion cut, the hair on the head is rounded to give the appearance of a mane. However, the mustache is only trimmed to an even length as Shih Tzus are known for their facial hair. In Tibetan, “shih” means “lion.” The full name of the breed, “shih tzu kou,” in the traditional language, means “lion dog” because of the dogs’ facial appearance.
The rest of the body’s fur is trimmed and kept at a length of 3 cm to 5 cm. A plume is left at the tip of the tail to resemble a lion’s tail.
05. Teddy bear cut
The “teddy bear” effect is less noticeable in dogs with wavy hair, but the cut is ideal for adorning Shih Tzus with ribbons and bows, which stay securely in place and further enhance the breed’s beauty. This style gives Shih Tzus the appearance of a plush teddy bear. The fur is trimmed evenly, including on the ears. The hair on the head is left at 2 cm to 5 cm, while the rest of the body has a length of 10 cm.
06. Long coat with topknot
The result is very beautiful, but owners need to brush the coat daily to prevent matting. From head to tail, the fur is cut to the same length, giving the impression that the Shih Tzu is floating. The cut is complemented with a topknot that can be secured with ribbons.
It takes a while for the topknot to reach the ideal length: without ever being trimmed, by three years of age, the hair can form a ponytail that extends along the back.
07. Practical topknot
While the hair is growing on the head, the Shih Tzu can be groomed in any style on the body and legs. The tuft on the top of the skull can be tied into a small topknot.
The practical topknot is also useful to prevent the hair from falling forward, obstructing vision, and ending up in food and water bowls. The arrangement on the head goes perfectly with medium-length cuts, with the body hair exceeding 5 cm in length.
08. Japanese cut
It keeps the hair shorter on the muzzle, reducing dirt during meals. The cut keeps the hair on the top of the skull and ears long, giving the impression that the Shih Tzu has a middle parting.
The fur on the body is kept shorter (up to 5 cm) to highlight the legs, which are trimmed in a cone shape. The tail has fringe and is narrower at the base.
Additional grooming care for your Shih Tzu
Tangles are not only visually unpleasant. They pull the skin, causing irritation and making it easier for bacterial and fungal infections to occur. A Shih Tzu that goes without brushing for more than a week will likely require a radical grooming, cutting all the hair with clippers.
Regardless of the grooming style, Shih Tzus require some special care. The first is regular brushing, which should be done at least every two days to prevent knots, stains, and the accumulation of dirt.
Knots occur from the friction between the hairs. Brushing distributes the natural oils from the skin along the hair, preventing them from becoming dry (especially at the tips). Tangles can also occur when the Shih Tzu gets wet.
Some owners skip brushing certain areas, but the Shih Tzu needs to be brushed and combed all over, including the armpits, neck, ears (inside and out), and groin area. Therefore, if it rains during a walk (or even after a bath), it is necessary to dry the Shih Tzu thoroughly and brush the still damp coat. Ideally, use a hairdryer to remove all excess moisture.