If you were under the impression that there is only one standard cut for Shih Tzus, the “puppy cut,” then you’ll be interested to see these different variations of that style and other styles that are completely different from the traditional puppy cut.
- Teddy bear face with a long topknot – Notice how rounded the face is – that’s the hallmark of the traditional teddy bear face. The ears can be any length. If you choose to do a topknot on your Shih Tzu, be sure to take the rubber band out and thoroughly brush and comb the topknot at least once a week, or it could become so matted that it would need to be cut off.
- Short teddy bear face with a short topknot and ears – The body of this dog is styled in a lamb cut, where the legs are left longer than the body. The lamb cut is popular on Shih Tzus. If their hair is one length all over, the legs can seem disproportionately skinny compared to their bodies. The lamb cut helps even out their look. Be sure to brush your dog’s legs, ears, and tail at least once a week.
- Stylized teddy bear face – On this dog, the topknot is fluffy and the chin is very short, making the dog’s eyes appear to be closer to the middle of the head. The length on the body is about an inch all over. This length of hair needs to be brushed at least two to three times a week to avoid matting. Notice that the ears on this dog are longer. Ear length, unless the dog is matted, is entirely up to you, the owner.
- Full-length coat with a topknot – While puppies have very fine hair that brushes out fairly easy, this length of hair on an adult dog would need daily brushing to avoid mats.
- Asian fusion – With this style, the dog’s body is typically clipped to half an inch or shorter and the legs are left quite full. The face is highly stylized and can be done with or without the long topknot. Long ears and tails are common but not required.
- Complete shave down. This low maintenance cut, often the only option for severely matted dogs, requires little to no brushing in between grooming appointments.
As you can see, there are many different styles when it comes to Shih Tzus. This is not an exhaustive list, but it may give you ideas for your pup’s next visit to the groomer.
