How should I get my Shih Tzu Hair Cut?

SDX: How should I get my Shih Tzu's hair cut?
My Shih Tzu puppy needs a new haircut.
The last time we took him, they named off a bunch of haircuts. Like a "teddy bear cut", "puppy cut", etc. We got the general puppy cut just because we didn't know what anything else was. They said they didn't have any pictures of the different cuts, which was annoying, but he came out looking alright.
His hair is getting long again, but we have no idea how to cut it.

Photo Credit: groomingbyshelley/Flickr CC

I wish I could leave his hair long. But since we live in the country, he gets muddy easily. :(

Answers and Views:

Answer by Billie
The only way you are going to get the look you want is via a picture, so keep looking on the internet, or buy books on that breed. I personally would just take him back to the groomer you went to before, and ask for the teddy bear look (bet that is all fluffy and bet he'd look nice). If your happy with that groomer stick with them because both dog and groomer develop a bond, and dogs don't like going to strangers, but if your not, then try another groomer that should be more helpful. Ask do they cut your breed first before you go, that way you get the chance of getting the right look.

On the wholesome people do cut their own dogs, but I don't advise it. Its not just the fur, its the other important things a groomer has to do too, like the nails, the hair in the ears and around the eyes, and the hair between the paws - so on that basis alone, I would always take my dogs to a groomer and do it every 6 weeks to 8 weeks too. I have had 3 Westies, and again this is a breed that does need correct grooming.

If the dog is left too long without a groomer, they actually feel uncomfortable and unhappy. There have been times when I have had to go longer than my usual 7 weeks, and the dog came home almost with a sigh on her face as if to say '' About time too, now I feel like myself again''.

Answer by Jackie Dickens
Leaving the overall coat longer looks great but must be thoroughly brushed daily. Since they do not shed, their inner coat forms mats. I learned my lesson by taking my girl to be groomed with too many tangles and she came out with a close shave. Now she has daily brushing and if a mat begins to form I just clip it out of her coat. Love my white Shih Tzu / Bichon mix but between coat and tear stains she is high maintenance!

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Answer by Dizzie
A teddy bear cut is a shave down leaving a fluffy trimmed tail and trimmed ears (I really wouldn't do it in the winter since the body shave down is pretty short).

A show cut would be when they have the curtains and the long hair which is high maintenance which I wouldn't suggest unless you were showing. My favorite cut for most small dogs like that would be the puppy cut, which is simple, leaves some fluff, and looks all over cute.

I'd say to stick with the puppy cut, though if you worried about him getting muddy, having a teddy cut would be best just make sure you keep him warm. Or even ask your groomer what they would suggest since they can do a custom cut like just shaving down his paws and legs and leaving the rest in a puppy cut so when he gets muddy paws its easier to clean. You can ask pretty much for anything as long as you explain it.
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