10 Best Shih Tzu Haircuts & Styles in 2025

Shih Tzu Haircuts     

One of the nice things about owning a Shih Tzu is deciding how you want their hair to be groomed.

Unlike short-haired dogs who wear the same hairstyle year after year, the possibilities for Shih Tzu styles and cuts is limited only by the imagination and skill of the groomer.

If you love D.I.Y. projects, grooming your own Shih Tzu can be very rewarding. 

In this article, I am going to introduce the various popular Shih Tzu haircuts, and then if you want to try your hand at grooming, I'll provide some tips and techniques so you can save a bunch of money grooming your dog at hime.

10 Best Shih Tzu Haircuts

Before we look at individual Shih Tzu haircuts, we should point out that not every style will look the same for every dog. Some dogs have thick, thick, thick coats that grow fast, others not so much.

Some have longer snouts, higher placed ears, shorter legs, rounder heads, and so forth. To get a feel for what works for you and looks great on your dog may take some experimentation.

1. The Puppy Cut

This is likely the most popular Shih Tzu haircut and the one most professional groomers are most familiar.  The entire coat is clipped short, usually less than one inch.  It's perfect for year-round wear, but especially comfortable in the hotter months. 

This cut can be short all over with only the tail left full and fluffy.  Like the one that Beau, below is sporting, ears, whiskers, and muzzle are all clipped very short.  There is no topknot but the head is trimmed so that the beautiful shape of the head is observable.

2. Long Ear Puppy Cut

This haircut resembles the Puppy Cut, except the hair on the ears are left long.  Different groomers will trim the hair differently, some leaving the ears square and others give the dog's ear a rounded appearance. I love this look, but be aware that your dog's ear tips are like to get wet every time your dog visits the water bowl.  Of course, you can avoid this problem by introducing a water bottle instead.

Despite the fact that this one looks more feminine, it's boys look great in it too.  

3. Striking Paws

If you love a little extra hair, but don't want to manage an entire long coat, keeping a little extra hair on the legs may be a good compromise.  Just like the Cone Paws, shown below, this one keeps some of the hair on the legs usually from the knees to the floor.  It looks a little like the Lion Haircut.  This haircut is easy to maintain and if you find you can't get into see the groomer when you wanted, this style still looks great.  

4. Girly Look

If you think long topknots (braids, ponytails) look girlish, you're not alone.  I've heard many Shih Tzu owners of male dog refuse to keep their dog in a topknot.  These are all pet parents, because if you are thinking of showing your male Shih Tzu, get ready to master the professional top knot. 

Still, many pet parents love the look and are willing to take the time to keep a longer coat with a top know in tip-top condition.  Don't underestimate how long this grooming style will take.  Many show breeders spend up to 2 hours a day to groom their dog. 

Since the Shih Tzu has a coat that continues to grow, keeping the hair out of the dog's eyes is important.  A top knot can help, so keep that in mind if this is the look you want.  

Here's one bit of advice for anyone who loves this look: Never cut the hair on the face, even when it gets unmanageable as the puppy's coat begins to grow in.  Instead use a professional product or even vaseline to train the hair to lay down into a mustache.

Learn more about how to give your dog a haircut.

5. Cone Paws

This is also a popular look if you love that extra thick coat but just don't have the time to brush the entire coat daily.  A Cone Paws haircut is achieved by clipping the body short and leaving the legs and tail long.  Sometimes the face is also trimmed like the one you see above.  Doc's top knot and face are trimmed and styled but not as short as you might expect with the puppy cut. What's left is a hair cut that is part thick and part trimmed.  

6. Teddy Bear Cut

Teddy Bear Cuts are confined to the shape of the head and do not affect the hair on other parts of the body. Interestingly, the Teddy Bear Cut may be observed on both short-haired and long-haired dogs. 

In this cut, the Shih Tzu is trimmed so that the characteristic bearded appearance is lacking, which gives them an adorable appearance similar to that of a bear.

7. The Full Shave

Shaving your Shih Tzu's hair all the way to the skin, as its name implies, is the full shave. You should avoid shaving your Shih Tzu completely bald, however. Protect your pup against heat, sun, wind, and cold by leaving about a fourth inch of hair around him.  If you are a DIY, this cut will require a size 7 or size 10 clipper blade.  It is the easiest way to main your Shih Tzu coat and will look great until your next groom in about two months.

8. Japanese Cut

Japanese cuts can be classified in various ways, but all of them follow the same protocol. Do not clip the legs too short, and do not make the ears too long.

The particular name is due to the fact that this style has become very popular in Japan. Depending on the species, the legs may be rounded, triangular, or a combination of these two. Its tail may appear long or fluffy.

Learn how to train your dog to get a haircut. 

9. Practical Top Knot

Another popular summer and winter dog haircut is called the Practical Top Knot, which only affects the dog's head without affecting the rest of his coat. It consists of leaving the hair hanging on the top of the head and tying the bow around it. After that, allow the hair to cascade down the back of the head.

Get creative with some cute clips, ribbons, or barrettes for your Shih Tzu. Small clips often used for human babies are perfect for puppies and most can be placed without the puppy putting up too much of a fuss.  Once the hair really begins to grow and thicken, tiny rubber bands should replace hair clips.  Commerical bows have their own rubber band but place a little rubber band around the top knot before securing the bow.  

10. Shih Tzu Haircuts:  Lion Cut

The unique style that emphasizes the hair around the face will allow your dog to transform into an adorable little lion. Approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches of fur is trimmed from the body, with a lion-like cut around the head and face.  You may also want to leave a "mane" around the neck.

This cut is ideal for summers and warm weather. 

Deciding on Shih Tzu Haircuts

If none of the haircuts above are exactly what you are looking for, consider what you can do with each portion of your dog: Face, Body, Head, Ears, and Legs.

With all Shih Tzu haircuts, the tail is usually kept long. If this is your puppy's first haircut, do be sure to prepare him in advance.

Grooming the Face

The Face: Full and Thick or Just Like a Chrysanthemum

The face is the first thing you notice when you look at your Shih Tzu so when examining Shih Tzu haircuts, think whiskers, beard and head first. 

Faces can be completely shaved free of hair giving the dog the appearance of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The whiskers and beard can be trimmed short or left long.

Some prefer a completely rounded look so whiskers and beard are trimmed shorter. This look gives the classic chrysanthemum or puppy look that gave the breed its name.

A longer beard and whiskers will give the appearance of a longer head shape.

The Topknot:  To Top or Not

The topknot can be long and thick, pulled up with rubber bands, or all the hair on the head shaved short.

Alternately, the hair can be left at the same length as the body or the topknot trimmed to a shorter version that sticks up or teased out. The Show coat calls for one elaborate top knot, but who’s to say, your pet Tzu can’t have two pigtails!

The Body: Short and Sassy or Long and Elegant

The body can be shaved short, left at about an inch long or not trimmed at all.

Lengths can vary depending on the season with a little more length in cooler months. Shih Tzu still do fine in the winter with trimmed locks as long as they can sport a sweater or coat for frolicking in the snow.

Most people think that their dogs need to be trimmed short in the summer to keep them cool. The Shih Tzu’s coat does a great job insulating the dog, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

So, don’t feel as if you are hurting your dog if you opt for a long style in the summer.

The Ears: Long and Silky or Bare and Smooth

Ears can be trimmed to the length of the whiskers and mustache giving the appearance of a rounded head. They can be left long. They can be shaved completely.

The Legs: Straight Leg, Boot Cut or Bell Bottoms

Legs can be trimmed to the exact length of the body, left long, straight, and feathery, or clipped shorter at the top and longer at the paws, giving the appearance of belly bottoms.

The Tail: Thick Plumage - The Signature Look

In any case, most people do not touch the tail other than to trim the ends, providing a plumage of thick tail hair that is carried over the body. This part of the body does tend to mat if neglected, so if you want to maintain that thick plumb, brush and comb using a steel comb several times per week.

Shih Tzu Haircuts: Tips to Help You Choose Which Hairstyle is Right

• Your decision does not need to be based on the climate: The Tzu with long hair will do fine in the summer; the Tzu with short hair might need a coat or sweater in the winter.
• Long, thick-face furnishings are beautiful, but those lovely locks will be perpetually wet if you have a Shih Tzu that dives head-first into the water bowl.
• A close shave over the face, including whiskers and beard, might seem like the perfect solution, but remember that the whiskers (not the hair) are there for a purpose as a sensory organ.
• If your Shih Tzu loves to take long walks through the woods or quick romps on the beach, keeping a long style will take much more work.
• Dogs that spend time in the woods or fields do best with shorter leg styles. It is much easier to remove dirt, debris, or burrs when the hair is an inch long.
• Love that topknot look? Expect to redo it at least every day. Some dogs need to have it done twice a day.

Just For the D.I.Y. Tools You Will Need To Groom Your Shih Tzu at Home

If you want to tackle grooming at home and save a ton of money, you will first need to purchase some tools. Here is a list of supplies that I recommend, but you need not purchase all of them at the same time.

• Clippers: I recommend a two-speed.
• Clipper Blades #3, 4, 5,7, 10 and 15 and maybe some clip on combs
• Clipper oil, Clipper blade coolant
• Scissors: Straight and curved
• Thinning Shears (optional but gives that professional finished look)
• Comb & Brush
• Patience and Some tasty treats

Clippers and Accessories

• Most professional groomers will have a wide assortment of blades and combs, but if you are only clipping your own dog, there is no need to purchase one of each. A few blades will do an adequate job.
• Clippers heat up quickly, and the last thing you will want to do is burn your little guy.
• Purchase a can of blade coolant or keep two blades on hand to switch out when one overheats. Blades also need oiling, so a small container of blade oil is also recommended.

Dog Clippers

The three major manufacturers of dog clippers are Andis, Oster, and Wahl. All are equally good. A two-speed clipper is about all you would ever need for home grooming projects. For more information, please check out our dog clipper review page.

The clippers below are all excellent but if you are looking for a cordless or higher speed clipper, the ones below these four recommended clippers are all great choices.

Clipper Blades

Most clippers that you purchase will come with one blade, a number ten. Clipper Blades can become expensive so you will want to purchase only those that you will use with your Shih Tzu.

For routine in home Shih Tzu grooming, I recommend purchasing the following blades:

• #10 for sanitary clips
• #15 for removing the hair between paw pads
• #3 - 4 - or 5 for overall grooming (A #3 clipper will leave the longest hair coat)
• #7 if your dog is badly matted
• Both the Oster and Andis blades are interchangeable so you can purchase Oster blades for your Andis clipper and visa versa. The Wahl blades are not and will need to be purchased specifically for a Wahl clipper.

The larger the blade number, the finer the clip. A number 3 blade will leave about an inch of hair. You can also achieve this length by purchasing a set of clip on combs that can be used with a #30 blade.

Clipper Blade Oil and Coolant

In addition to purchasing a dog clipper and blades, you will also want to purchase clipper oil and coolant. Clipper oil is used to lubricate your clipper blades and should be applied before beginning your Shih Tzu hair cut. The coolant is used as the name suggests to cool the blade. Blades tend to heat up rapidly and to prevent burns on your dog, you will need to cool down the blades. There are several ways to cool blades:

1. Turn off the clipper and give your dog a break while you wait for your blade to cool off.
2. Change out blades which means you will need at least 2 of every type of blade. (Two #10 blades, two #7 blades, etc.) One cools as you use the other)
3. Purchase a can of coolant that can be sprayed directly on the blade to cool it down so it is comfortable for your dog.

Shih Tzu Haircuts - The Takeaway

There are many different cuts that will make your Shih Tzu look like a star.  It's always best to describe the cut you want when visiting your professional groomer as the names used in this article may change over time.  Better yet, find a photo of your style to present to your groomer.  

If your ready to do it yourself, grab a clipper and have some fun.

Shih Tzu Haircuts:  Pin for Future Reference

Final Thoughts on Best Shih Tzu Haircuts

We have listed some of the best haircuts that you can apply to your Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu need special care since they have long hair; the coat of a Shih Tzu should be trimmed after they turn three months old.

It is more comfortable for the dog to have shorter hair. It is, therefore, necessary to train it how to behave while it is being groomed as a puppy. Ensure that your dog is not afraid of the scissors before giving him his first haircut.

Teach your Shih Tzu the sound of scissors snipping from a young age. This way, the dog will not be fearful of the sound when you begin the cutting when you do this a few times a week

P.S.  The Bad Hair Day

Now That Your Shih Tzu Has Had a Haircut, It's time to Capture That Look

You must be proud that you have a beautiful Shih Tzu, and I am sure you have a lot of pictures in your photo album. Why not make pins of these photos? I suggest printing pin ! These pins are free to customize.

I like to wear my dog pins on my hats and bags or give them to my friends. You can also make a challenge coin for your dog on his birthday as a memento of your companionship with each other, and as year after year passes and you look at these challenge coins, they are full of memories!

Author Bio

Myrah Abrar is a computer science graduate with a passion for web development and digital marketing. She also writes articles on dog-related website content.