If you’ve ever handed your Shih Tzu to a groomer and said “just make them cute,” this guide is for you. Shih Tzu haircuts range from low-maintenance puppy cuts to show-stopping long coats, and the right choice depends on your dog’s coat, your lifestyle, and honestly, how much brushing you’re willing to do. At PawBasic in Mississauga, Shih Tzus are one of the breeds we groom most, so here are the seven Shih Tzu haircut styles we actually recommend to our clients.
1. The Puppy Cut: The Everyday Favourite
The puppy cut is the most requested Shih Tzu haircut at our salon, and for good reason. The coat is clipped to one even length all over, usually between one and two inches. It keeps your dog looking soft and youthful while dramatically cutting down on brushing time.
Best for: busy owners, first-time Shih Tzu parents, and dogs that hate long brushing sessions.
2. The Teddy Bear Cut: Maximum Cuteness
Often confused with the puppy cut, the teddy bear cut keeps the body short but leaves the face fuller and rounder, scissored into that unmistakable stuffed-animal shape. It takes a little more skill from your groomer, because the round face is entirely hand-scissored.
Best for: owners who want that classic “awww” reaction at the dog park. Requires face trims every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the shape.
3. The Summer Cut: Short, Cool, and Practical
The summer cut takes the coat shorter than a puppy cut, usually half an inch to one inch. Despite the name, it’s a smart year-round option for Shih Tzus that mat easily or spend lots of time outdoors.
One important note from our groomers: a Shih Tzu’s coat also insulates against heat, so “shaved to the skin” is never the goal. A proper summer cut leaves enough coat to protect the skin from sun.
4. The Top Knot: The Signature Shih Tzu Look
The top knot isn’t a full haircut so much as a styling choice that pairs with a longer coat. The hair on the crown is grown out and tied up, keeping it out of your dog’s eyes. It’s functional first: Shih Tzu facial hair grows straight into the eyes and can cause irritation if left loose.
Best for: owners committed to daily face grooming, or anyone growing out a coat between styles.
5. The Lion Cut: Bold and Surprisingly Practical
Yes, the lion cut works on Shih Tzus too, not just cats. The body is clipped short while the chest, head, and tail stay full. It’s dramatic, it photographs beautifully, and it solves the matting problem in the areas where Shih Tzus mat worst: armpits, belly, and behind the ears.
6. The Practical Top-and-Tail: For the Frequent Swimmer or Mud-Lover
Some Shih Tzus live their best lives in creek beds and puddles. For them, we recommend a short body with a slightly longer, easy-to-rinse leg and face trim. No style points lost, and bath time at home stops being a wrestling match.
7. The Long Show Coat: Gorgeous, and a Genuine Commitment
The floor-length show coat is what the breed standard imagines, and it is stunning. It’s also a daily-brushing, weekly-bathing level of commitment. Most pet owners admire it and choose a puppy cut instead, and that’s the right call. If you do want to grow a show coat, talk to us first so we can set up a realistic maintenance schedule with you.
How to Choose the Right Shih Tzu Haircut
Start with three honest questions. How often can you brush? Anything longer than a puppy cut needs brushing several times a week. Does your dog mat easily? Cottony coats mat faster than silky ones, and shorter is kinder. What does your dog tolerate? A wiggly or anxious Shih Tzu does better with a faster, simpler groom, and the style can evolve as they get comfortable.
Whichever cut you choose, consistency matters more than style. A Shih Tzu groomed every 4 to 6 weeks stays comfortable, mat-free, and much happier on the grooming table than one who comes in twice a year.
Shih Tzu Haircut FAQs
How often should a Shih Tzu get a haircut?
Every 4 to 6 weeks for short styles like the puppy or teddy bear cut. Longer coats need professional grooming every 4 weeks plus daily brushing at home.
What is the easiest Shih Tzu haircut to maintain?
The puppy cut or summer cut. Both minimize matting and keep home brushing to a couple of quick sessions per week.
My Shih Tzu is matted. Can they still get a cute haircut?
Usually yes. Depending on how close to the skin the matting sits, we may need to start shorter than you planned, but the coat grows back quickly and we’ll set you up with a brushing routine so it doesn’t happen again.
Do you groom anxious Shih Tzus?
Yes. Calm, patient handling for nervous dogs is one of the things PawBasic is known for in Mississauga. Tell us about your dog when you book and we’ll take it at their pace.
Book Your Shih Tzu’s Next Groom in Mississauga
PawBasic is a locally owned dog grooming salon in Cooksville, Mississauga at 35 King St E, Unit 12, near Hurontario and Dundas. Bring us a photo of the style you love, or just tell us your lifestyle and we’ll recommend the right cut. Book online or call (647) 646-4729.