How to Cut a Short Shih Tzu Dog

It's important to keep shih tzus well-trimmed. Their hair has a tendency to mat easily when it gets too long. And because they are little and low to the ground, they pick up a lot of junk. While most show shih tzus have longer coats, recreational owners of this small dog will have an easier time keeping him well-groomed by maintaining a short cut.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog shampoo
  • Water
  • Pet brush
  • Clippers with a guard
  • Small scissors (no longer than 4 inches)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bathe your shih tzu in warm water and wash his fur with shampoo. Rinse and dry him thoroughly. It's difficult to cut a dog's coat if it is dirty or wet. Brush the dog, taking care to work out any tangles or knots.

    • 2

      Brush his hair in its natural direction and make a decision regarding the length you want to cut it. Many shih tzu owners choose a short cut of approximately 1 to 2 inches because it is easy to maintain.

    • 3

      Choose the guard for the clippers that will result in the length of hair you want. Many clippers come with snap-on combs, and these can make the grooming easier. Trim the body by starting the clippers at the base of his tail and moving them slowly up the body, stopping at the neck. Repeat until his back and sides are all one length.

    • 4

      Trim the legs next, using the same guard length as the body, by starting at the ankle and bringing the clippers up toward the top of his leg. Pick a shorter guard of approximately 1/2 to 1 inch, and then trim the belly area from the neck area to underneath the tail.

    • 5

      Pick the closest guard for the face and head (1/4 to 1/2 inch) and use it to cut from the nose area to past the eyes. Then trim the ears, holding them in your hands away from his head, from top to bottom.

    • 6

      Use the small scissors to carefully trim the eye, mustache and beard area to a short length. Some owners will wish to leave the top knot on their shih tzu's head long, but this can also be trimmed with the scissors to the length of the rest of his coat.