Which Shih Tzu haircut fits your dog—and your daily routine? You might love a rounded teddy bear face, prefer a simple puppy cut, or want to keep a flowing coat with a topknot. The right choice combines the look you enjoy with grooming you can keep up with.
This visual guide compares six Shih Tzu haircut styles, explains their upkeep, and helps you describe your preferences to a groomer. Use the pictures as a guide, then discuss the body length, face shape, ears, and tail separately rather than relying on a haircut name alone.
1. Shih Tzu Puppy Cut
The puppy cut gives a Shih Tzu a neat, softly rounded look with a shorter body coat. Despite its name, it is a style for adult dogs too. The face, ears, and tail can be shaped to suit the look you prefer.
Best for: Owners who want a shorter everyday style without maintaining a long, flowing coat.
Upkeep: A shorter coat still needs regular brushing and combing. Pay particular attention to areas where tangles can hide, including behind the ears, under the legs, and beneath a harness. Ask your groomer to suggest a routine for your dog’s coat and chosen length.
What to ask your groomer: “I’d like a puppy cut with an even body length and a tidy, softly rounded face. Can we agree on how much hair to leave on the body, ears, and tail before you start?”
The term “puppy cut” can mean different things to different groomers. Bring a reference picture and agree on the length rather than relying on the name alone.
2. Shih Tzu Long Coat with Topknot
The long coat with a topknot gives a Shih Tzu a flowing, elegant appearance. Hair falls along the body, while the hair above the eyes is gathered into a topknot. The ears, beard, and tail stay long to complete the look.
Best for: Owners who enjoy a long-haired style and can commit time to daily coat care.
Upkeep: Brush and comb the coat daily, working gently through each section rather than just smoothing the surface. Keep the beard clean and check for tangles behind the ears, under the legs, and beneath a harness. The topknot should keep hair away from the eyes without pulling tightly on the skin.
What to ask your groomer: “I’d like to keep a long, flowing coat with a comfortable topknot. Can we choose a practical length and go over how to brush the coat and maintain the topknot at home?”
3. Shih Tzu Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut gives a Shih Tzu a soft, rounded face, with fuller cheeks and a neatly shaped muzzle. The body length can vary. In this example, the face and legs are left fuller than in the puppy cut shown earlier.
Best for: Owners who love a rounded, fluffy appearance and are willing to maintain the longer facial hair.
Upkeep: Brush and comb the fuller areas regularly, especially the cheeks, ears, and legs. Keep the beard clean and arrange face trims as needed to keep hair clear of the eyes.
What to ask your groomer: “I’d like a rounded teddy bear face with full cheeks and a tidy muzzle. Can we agree on the body and leg length, and how to keep the eyes clear?”
“Puppy cut” and “teddy bear cut” can overlap in meaning. Bring a reference picture and discuss the face, ears, body, and legs separately so your groomer understands the look you want.
4. Shih Tzu Summer Cut
The Shih Tzu summer cut is a short, practical style with closely trimmed hair on the body and legs. The face, ears, and tail can retain more length for a softer appearance. In our example, the body and legs are trimmed shorter than in the puppy cut shown earlier.
Best for: Owners who prefer a shorter coat that is easier to keep clean during everyday activities.
Upkeep: A short coat still needs regular brushing, combing, and grooming appointments. Keep the face clean and check areas where friction can cause tangles, such as behind the ears and beneath a harness. Agree on a suitable coat length with your groomer rather than asking for the shortest possible trim.
What to ask your groomer: “I’d like a short, even trim on the body and legs, with a tidy face and slightly longer ears and tail. Can we agree on the length before you start?”
“Summer cut” does not describe one fixed length, and it can overlap with a puppy cut. Bring a reference picture and explain which areas you want shorter or fuller.
5. Shih Tzu Lion Cut
The Shih Tzu lion cut combines longer hair around the head, neck, and chest with a shorter body coat. This creates a mane-like outline while keeping the torso and legs neatly trimmed. The length and shape of the mane can be adjusted to suit your preferred look.
Best for: Owners who enjoy a distinctive style with a fuller mane and a shorter body.
Upkeep: Brush and comb the longer mane regularly, paying attention to the ears, neck, and chest where tangles can develop. Keep facial hair clean and clear of the eyes. The shorter body still needs regular coat care and grooming appointments.
What to ask your groomer: “I’d like a lion-inspired style with a longer mane around the head and chest and a shorter body and legs. Can we agree on where the mane ends and how much length to leave?”
“Lion cut” can describe different variations. Bring a reference picture and discuss the mane, body, legs, and tail separately before grooming begins.
6. Shih Tzu Practical Topknot
The practical topknot pairs a shorter body coat with longer hair gathered above the forehead. It keeps the distinctive Shih Tzu topknot while offering a shorter alternative to the flowing long-coat style. The face, ears, legs, and tail can be shaped to suit your preferred look.
Best for: Owners who enjoy a topknot but prefer a shorter body coat for everyday care.
Upkeep: Comb the topknot daily and check the longer hair around the ears for tangles. Gently undo and renew the topknot each day without pulling tightly on the skin.
What to ask your groomer: “I’d like a short, even body coat with enough hair above the forehead for a small, practical topknot. Can you show me how to maintain it comfortably at home?”
A topknot describes how the head hair is gathered, rather than one fixed haircut. Bring a reference picture and agree on the body length, ear shape, and amount of hair to leave on the head.
Which Shih Tzu Haircut Is Right for Your Dog?
Choose a style based on the look you enjoy and the grooming routine you can maintain. A puppy cut or summer cut offers a shorter body coat, while a teddy bear cut emphasizes a rounded face. A long coat with a topknot requires more time for coat care. A practical topknot combines tied-up head hair with a shorter body, while a lion cut keeps a fuller mane around the head and chest.
Bring your favorite reference picture to your groomer and discuss the body, face, ears, legs, and tail separately. Your dog’s coat condition and comfort should guide the final choice.
Shih Tzu Haircut FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Puppy Cut and a Teddy Bear Cut?
A puppy cut usually refers to a shorter, relatively even body coat, while a teddy bear cut emphasizes a rounded, fuller-looking face. The names often overlap, and groomers may interpret them differently. Use a reference picture and agree on the face shape and coat length rather than relying on the haircut name alone.
Are Shih Tzu Haircuts Different for Males and Females?
The same haircut styles can suit both male and female Shih Tzus. Choose based on coat condition, comfort, your preferred look, and the grooming routine you can maintain. Bows, topknots, and rounded faces are styling choices rather than features reserved for one sex.
What Should I Tell My Groomer Before a Shih Tzu Haircut?
Bring a reference picture and explain what you like about it. Discuss the body length, face shape, ears, legs, and tail separately. Mention how much time you can spend brushing at home, and ask whether the style suits your dog’s current coat condition. Agree on the details before grooming begins.
