Shitzu Grooming Styles

The Shih Tzu is a small, long-haired dog that is very popular among apartment dwellers and people living in cities. This breed requires regular coat maintenance to stay healthy, and part of maintaining a Shih Tzu's coat is figuring out how to style it and groom it. There are several different styles of grooming to choose from.

  1. Puppy Cut

    • The puppy cut is a style that allows for the easiest, speediest maintenance on a daily basis. In this style, the fur is evenly trimmed down close to the body. The ears are trimmed to give them a rounded look, and the fur around the eyes is trimmed so that your dog can see without the need for a top-knot. This type of cut can be used regardless of the dog's age and in fact is recommended for older dogs whose health might be impaired by having long hair.

    Full Coat

    • The full coat, or show coat, is a style of grooming in which the Shih Tzu's fur is grown out fully. It is the style for dogs that are meant to be shown and requires the most time and effort for maintenance. In this style, the fur must be kept looking silky and smooth, and the fur above the eyes must be gathered back in a top-knot so that the dog can see.

    Teddy Bear Face

    • The teddy bear face grooming style is a compromise between the full coat style and the puppy cut. Although it is not allowed in the show ring, it allows a Shih Tzu to show off how long and and silky its hair can get. The Shih Tzu's body fur is trimmed down short the way that it is in the puppy cut, but the fur of the face and head is left at its normal length. In this style, the fur on the ears is clipped short for easy maintenance.