Due to the Shih Tzu having a long, double coat, grooming can become a very important event. You may become overwhelmed when trying to decide what to do with all of your dog’s hair. Don’t worry because all owners have had to deal with Shih Tzu grooming. There are three main grooming styles that most owners choose – puppy cut, teddy bear cut and show cut. Whichever cut you decide on, you will be glad to have all of your dog’s hair under control in an orderly fashion. If Shih Tzus are not kept groomed, their hair can become tangled and matted.
The puppy cut, also known as the summer cut, is by far the most popular cut when it comes to Shih Tzu grooming. This style is favored by owners who don’t have the time to deal with having a longhaired dog. The puppy cut consists of clipping your dog’s hair down to 1 to 2 inches all over. When giving your dog a puppy cut, do not cut all the way down to the skin. If you do so, you can cause your dog to have skin irritation. Even though the puppy cut will drastically reduce the amount of hair your Shih Tzu has, you still will need to brush them daily in order to avoid tangling and matting of the hair.
Another popular Shih Tzu grooming style is the teddy bear cut. This style can be used with any hair length. Many find this style to be appealing paired with the puppy cut since the teddy bear cut only affects the dog’s head. The teddy bear cut refers to trimming the hair around the face and on the head to either a normal or longer length while the rest of the body hair remains at a shorter length. This style is referred to as the teddy bear cut because the longer hair around the face and head give the Shih Tzu a cute, cuddly teddy bear appearance.
The third popular Shih Tzu grooming style is referred to as the show cut, which happens to be the traditional or classic cut. This style is for all of those that love the long haired look on their dogs. The show cut features a long, fluid coat that is usually adorned with a classic top knot or braid that is tied on top of the dog’s head. This style is definitely high maintenance and must be brushed daily as well as detangled often. This style is not for those that are faint at the heart because it will take work to make sure your dog’s coat does not get tangled or matted up. This style requires dedication and for those that don’t have the time or patience for a long hair style, a shorter style should be chosen instead.
There are numerous Shih Tzu grooming styles to fit whatever your needs are. If you don’t have a lot of time, a shorter cut is more your style. If you are ambitious and love the appearance of a long, flowing coat, a show cut is right up your alley. Whichever style you choose, please remember that daily brushing is a must.
