The most popular Shih Tzu haircuts are the puppy cut (short and even all over, about 1–2 inches) and the teddy bear cut (a short-to-medium body with a rounder, fluffier face). Both are far easier to keep mat-free than a long coat. Whatever cut you choose, keep the hair trimmed or tied away from the eyes, and don’t shave the coat to the skin: the AKC advises leaving at least one inch to protect against sunburn.
- Easiest care: puppy cut
- Cutest face: teddy bear cut
- Hot weather: summer cut
- Most work: long or show coat
- Any length: add a topknot
- Rebook every 4–6 weeks
A Shih Tzu’s coat never stops growing. PetMD notes that left uncut, it can grow long enough to drag on the ground, and a long double coat mats fast. That’s why most pet Shih Tzus wear a shorter haircut, and why the cut you pick decides how much brushing you’ll be doing every week.
This guide compares the popular Shih Tzu haircut styles by how much work they take, how they handle the face and eyes, and which suits your dog’s life, so you can walk into the groomer’s knowing exactly what to ask for.
From my own dogs: My 5-year-old Shih Tzu wears a teddy bear cut. I do the brushing at home and a groomer handles the haircuts. The shorter body makes daily brushing quick, and the rounder face is the look I like best.
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Shih Tzu haircut styles compared
| Haircut | Body length | Face | Brushing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy cut | Short, about 1–2 in | Short, beard and ears trimmed too | A few times a week | Easiest upkeep |
| Teddy bear cut | Short to medium, often a bit longer than a puppy cut | Round and fluffy | Most days, face daily | The classic pet look |
| Summer cut | Short | Hair kept off the face, ears longer | A few times a week | Hot weather |
| Medium length | Mid-length | Trimmed or tied up | Most days | A fuller look with less matting than a full coat |
| Lion cut | Short body, long mane | Mane around head and neck | Mane daily | A distinctive look |
| Long or show coat | Full length | Topknot | Daily | Owners with time for daily grooming |
Names vary by groomer“Puppy cut,” “teddy bear cut” and “summer cut” aren’t official standards, and two groomers may mean slightly different things. Always describe the length in inches and bring a photo.
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Which haircut is best for a Shih Tzu?
For most pet Shih Tzus, a puppy cut or teddy bear cut is best. Both keep the body short enough to brush quickly and resist mats, while still looking soft and fluffy. Choose a long coat only if you can brush every day.
Ask yourself three questions:
- How much time can you brush? A long coat needs daily brushing. A short cut can get by with a few sessions a week, though the face still needs daily attention.
- Does your dog get tear stains or eye irritation? Choose a cut that keeps hair short around the eyes, or tie it up in a topknot.
- Where do you live? In hot weather, a shorter cut is easier to keep clean and dry, but it won’t cool your dog much on its own (more on that below).
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Popular Shih Tzu haircuts, explained
The main styles differ in two things: how long the body hair is, and how the face is shaped. Here’s what each one looks like and what it takes to keep it tidy.
Puppy cut
The whole coat is cut to one short, even length, usually around 1–2 inches, including the beard and ears. PetMD notes the coat is often cut into a puppy cut to avoid constant grooming. It’s the lowest-maintenance option and a good choice for first-time owners.
Good to know: with the beard short, the face stays cleaner after meals. The trade-off is less of the classic fluffy Shih Tzu look.
Teddy bear cut
The body is kept short to medium, often a little longer than a puppy cut, and the hair on the head and muzzle is left fuller and scissored into a rounded shape, so the dog looks like a stuffed toy. It’s one of the most popular pet styles for Shih Tzus.
Good to know: the fuller face needs daily combing and wiping. Ask your groomer to keep the hair between the eyes short, so the round shape doesn’t push hair into them.
Summer cut
A short body cut with the hair kept out of the face, and the ears usually left a little longer than in a puppy cut. It’s practical for hot months and active dogs.
Good to know: short isn’t the same as shaved. Keep at least an inch of coat (see section 05).
Medium-length cut
A middle ground: longer than a puppy cut, but well short of the floor. It keeps more of the flowing look while matting less than a full coat.
Good to know: it still needs brushing most days, especially behind the ears and in the armpits.
Lion cut
The body is clipped short and a long mane is left around the head and neck. It’s a striking look, but less common for pets.
Good to know: the mane needs regular brushing, and it isn’t the best choice for a dog prone to tear stains, because the long head hair sits close to the eyes.
Long or show coat
The coat is kept at full length and trimmed neat, with the head hair tied into a topknot. It’s the most traditional look and by far the most work: it needs daily brushing and mats quickly if you skip a day.
Good to know: long coats show every tangle, so you’ll need a slicker, a pin brush and a metal comb. See our best brushes for Shih Tzus.
Topknot (works with any length)
Not a full haircut, but a way to style the head: the long hair on top is gathered into a small ponytail and often finished with a bow. PetMD notes a Shih Tzu needs the hair around the eyes either trimmed or pulled up with a hair tie, and a topknot does the second.
Good to know: use a soft, small band, and redo it every day or two so it doesn’t pull on the skin or tangle.
A short cut still needs brushing.
The daily-to-monthly routine that keeps any Shih Tzu haircut mat-free.
Read the Shih Tzu grooming guide04
How should a Shih Tzu’s face be cut?
Keep the hair around the eyes short or tied up, whatever the body cut. Hair that touches the eyes can irritate them and keeps the fur damp, which makes tear stains worse.
- Between the eyes: ask for this area to be kept short so hair doesn’t flick into the eyes.
- Above the eyes: either trim it short or tie it into a topknot.
- Muzzle and beard: shorter is cleaner after meals; fuller gives the teddy bear look but needs daily wiping.
- Under the eyes: keeping this area short and dry helps with staining. See our guide to why Shih Tzus get tear stains.
Don’t trim near the eyes yourself unless your dog holds stillOne sudden move near the eye can cause an injury. If you do trim between grooming visits, use blunt-tip scissors and keep the blades pointing away from the eye, or leave it to your groomer.
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Is it safe to shave a Shih Tzu short for summer?
A short cut is fine, but don’t shave down to the skin. The AKC advises leaving at least one inch of hair to protect against sunburn, skin cancer and bug bites, and notes that shaving does little to cool a dog down.
Many owners clip their Shih Tzu short in summer expecting a cooler dog. But the AKC explains that dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, not through their coat, and that shaving can even make a dog hotter by removing the coat’s insulation.
That matters more for a Shih Tzu than most breeds. A flat face makes panting less efficient, so heat is a real risk whatever the haircut. In hot weather, rely on shade, water, short walks at cooler times of day and a cool indoor space, not on a shave. Our guide to common Shih Tzu health issues covers the overheating warning signs.
The real benefit of a short summer cutIt doesn’t cool your dog much, but it is easier to keep clean, dry and free of mats and burrs. That’s a perfectly good reason to choose one, as long as you leave at least an inch.
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What should you tell your groomer?
Describe the length in inches, explain how you want the face shaped, and bring a photo. Style names vary between groomers, but “one inch on the body, round face, short between the eyes” means the same thing everywhere.
- Body length in inches. For example, “about an inch on the body and legs.” Avoid asking for a blade number unless you know your groomer’s equipment, since lengths vary by brand.
- Face shape. Round and fluffy (teddy bear), short and neat (puppy cut), or long with a topknot.
- Eyes. “Please keep it short between and under the eyes.”
- Ears. Short to match the body, or left longer.
- Feet and hygiene areas. Ask for neat, rounded feet, trimmed paw pads and a tidy rear end. These stay cleaner between visits.
- A photo. Show a picture of a cut you like, ideally on a dog with a similar coat color.
How often? PetMD notes that professional grooming every few weeks is part of owning a Shih Tzu, and many guides suggest 4–6 weeks between cuts. Shorter cuts grow out of shape faster, so book your next appointment before you leave.
Brushing between visits is what keeps the haircut looking good. If your dog arrives at the groomer badly matted, the only humane fix may be to shave it short, whatever cut you asked for. Our Shih Tzu grooming guide covers the routine.
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Shih Tzu haircut FAQs
What is the most popular Shih Tzu haircut?
The puppy cut and the teddy bear cut are the most common pet Shih Tzu haircuts. Both keep the body much shorter than a full coat, which makes brushing quicker. The teddy bear cut leaves the face fuller and rounder.
What’s the difference between a puppy cut and a teddy bear cut?
Both keep a Shih Tzu’s body much shorter than a full coat. A puppy cut trims the face, beard and ears short as well, while a teddy bear cut leaves the head and muzzle fuller and scissors them into a round shape.
How often does a Shih Tzu need a haircut?
Most Shih Tzus with a short pet cut need a haircut every 4–6 weeks to keep the shape. PetMD notes professional grooming every few weeks is a normal part of owning the breed. Brushing between visits keeps the coat from matting.
Should I shave my Shih Tzu in summer?
A short cut is fine, but don’t shave a Shih Tzu to the skin. The AKC advises leaving at least one inch of hair to protect against sunburn, and notes shaving does little to cool a dog. Shade, water and avoiding the hottest hours matter more.
Can I cut my Shih Tzu’s hair at home?
You can trim a Shih Tzu at home with practice, but the face and eyes are the riskiest areas. Many owners do the brushing and small tidy-ups at home and leave full haircuts and face trims to a groomer.
Sources
- Shih Tzu breed guide: coat, grooming and eye care (PetMD)
- Is It OK to Shave Your Dog? (American Kennel Club)
- Shih Tzu haircut styles and time between cuts (Hepper)
Update log
- : Published. Grooming and safety advice checked against the sources above.