How to Puppy Cut a Shih Tzu

A Shih Tzu puppy cut is a clipped hairstyle that makes grooming a breeze and helps your pup keep cool in the warm summer months. You can achieve this look with clippers and a pair of scissors. The resulting puppy cut resembles the hair length and look that the dog had as a puppy.

A Shih Tzu has a dense double coat that grows long enough to sweep the ground. This is the look you will see in the show ring as the dogs glide with their flowing hair. Shih Tzus with long hair are given a topknot to keep the hair out of their eyes. This look requires frequent grooming and attention, and the combination of dense fur and the Shih Tzu's flat face means that the breed is more prone to getting heatstroke than other dogs.

The puppy cut is an ideal Shih Tzu summer cut to keep your pup cool and cut down on the amount of grooming you need to do each week. To achieve this cut, gather the tools you will need, including clippers, a pair of scissors, and a comb. It is easiest to clip your pup if she is on a table, but you could get down on the ground if a table isn't readily available. Don't hesitate to ask for help holding your pup if she tends to squirm or pull away from you while you are grooming her.

Starting with the fur on his body, clip the coat to a length of about 1 to 2 inches. Clippers are usually easier and will allow you to get a more even trim on the short Shih Tzu puppy cut, but you can do this with scissors if you prefer. You can trim the fur on the belly around the genitals and the anal area close to the skin, taking care not to cut your dog.

Trim the legs to the same length. You can create a cylindrical look for the legs so that the leg appears straight and has the same diameter all the way to the ground. Alternatively, you can trim the fur a bit closer around the feet to create a more tapered look. Trim the bottom of the feet to a short length.

When creating Shih Tzu puppy cuts, you will also trim the hair on top of your pup's head to create a rounded look on the face. Cut the top knot to a length of 1 to 2 inches while keeping the beard and cheeks just a bit longer. Finally, trim the ears to complete the rounded look. You can also opt for a more defined face and shorter ears by trimming the fur to a consistent length of 1 to 2 inches long.

Finally, consider how you would like the tail to look when doing a puppy cut for your Shih Tzu. You can make it easy and keep the hair on the tail at a length of 1 to 2 inches, although some people prefer to leave the tail a more natural length. Another option is to trim most of the tail short, leaving a tassel of hair on the end of the tail.

Puppy cuts for your Shih Tzu will need to be touched up about every four to six weeks, as the dog's hair grows quite quickly. If you fall behind on clipping your dog, be sure to tie the hair on top of her head into a topknot if it gets long enough to fall into her eyes.

You do still need to groom your dog regularly even though she now has a short coat. It is still a good idea to spend a few minutes each day brushing the fur to remove tangles. Bathe your Shih Tzu as needed, usually every couple of weeks.