Shih Tzu Hair Cuts & Styles

Known for its gorgeous, floor-length locks, the Shih Tzu's hair is about as famous as its catchy name. However, as any owner of this toy breed will tell you, fighting the tangles, matting, and debris that come with this mane can become quite the chore. Compared to other breeds, their hair care needs are considerably more high maintenance, requiring monthly grooming and in some cases, daily brushing.

Although it's tempting to reach for the electric clippers when grooming a Shih Tzu, you may want to think twice before doing so. Cutting your dog's fur too close to the skin can increase their risk of developing a sunburn. At the same time, letting a Shih Tzu's hair grow freely can cause it to become excessively long and block their vision. Thankfully, there are plenty of fun haircuts and styles you can try to keep your dog's hair looking great — and out of their face.

Possibly the most iconic Shih Tzu style of all, this look takes a section of your dog's 'bangs' and gathers it at the top of their head into a loose ponytail. It's designed to keep your dog's hair from blocking their eyes, which is ideal for when they're walking or exercising. A tiny ponytail can be a great styling choice for those who wish to keep their Shih Tzu's mane longer throughout the year, but don't want them to overheat in the summer. Best of all, you can embellish the look with whatever ribbons or bows you like — just be careful to not place it on too tightly so you're not tugging at your dog's skin.

If you prefer your pup's mane on the softer side, consider having the groomer trim it to teddy length. This medium short cut is slightly longer than what you get with a typical puppy cut, but still short enough that it doesn't require a ton of maintenance outside of regular trims. 

For those who want to still maintain some hair length, consider asking the groomer to give your Shih Tzu a short in the middle, but long on the ends cut. They will still have that luscious, long hair on their face, but won't be overwhelmed with too much hair on their torso.

If you're not entering your Shih Tzu to win prizes, a puppy cut is probably your best bet. A puppy cut is a basic trim that leaves your dog with an even-length, short coat all around the body. This one is easy to maintain, as you'll just need to keep up on the trimming so it's not overly long in certain places.

The Shih Tzu lion cut is just what it sounds like — an even cut all around their body with longer locks at the face to mimic a lion's mane. This wild hairstyle makes sense for this tiny breed because the phrase "Shih Tzu" translates to "little lion" in Chinese. 

If you're looking to show off your Shih Tzu in style, nothing compares to the regality of the show cut. Similar to a top knot, this style pulls the hair on your pup's face into the top of their head with the help of a hair tie. However, unlike the traditional top knot, which can be combined with shorter hair, this attention-grabbing 'do is designed to be paired with an extra long coat that grazes the floor like a broom. It's also typically finished off with an accessory, like a barette, bow, or crown. Compared to other Shih Tzu styles, this is easily the most high maintenance, requiring daily brushing to avoid tangling. 

If you want to switch up the regular top knot, pull your Shih Tzu's top hair into pigtails. The playful look is great for those who want to play with accessories, like FGISAR Dog Safe Hair Bows or colorful barrettes.