Kinds
Haircut happens:
- everyday (hygienic);
- exhibition (demonstration);
- original.
Casual
Hygienic grooming of your Shih Tzu should be carried out every month. This procedure is necessary for the animal’s comfort, disease prevention, and easier coat care. For everyday haircuts, hairs are usually cut in the area of the ears, under the nose, around the eyes, on the pads of the paws, and in intimate places. This look is easy to do on your own.
Exhibition
A demonstration haircut is needed to prepare your pet for an exhibition. Only a properly groomed dog has a chance to take a prize, so it is better to entrust this procedure to professionals. Difficulties may arise at home. The Shih Tzu exhibition haircut technique includes several stages:
- hygienic hair removal;
- trimming fur;
- collecting a ponytail on the head (top note);
- putting on papillots.
Original
Fancy hairstyles are given to dogs to create a bright, expressive image. Before starting modeling, hygienic grooming is carried out. Among this type of hairstyle, the following haircuts are most common:
- Teddy bear;
- under a small puppy;
- Korean.
These options are ideal for Shih Tzus in the summer, when long hair creates additional inconvenience for dogs of this breed. The first two haircuts are very similar, but there are significant differences between them. Such hairstyles can be done either with a machine or with scissors.
The teddy bear haircut gives your Shih Tzu the appearance of a soft toy. To create this hairstyle, you need to evenly shorten the hair over the entire body, leaving a length of 5 cm. This will make the dog’s coat look like velor. Inside the ears, the hairs are completely removed, but on the head and muzzle the hair remains as before – long.
To make an adult Shih Tzu look like a puppy, an appropriate haircut is used. When doing a “puppy” hairstyle, the hair on the head is modeled in the form of a beret, and the hair on the face is cut quite short. The coat on the body is shortened to a length of 2.5-4 cm.
The Korean hairstyle is considered the most creative and unusual. This option is characterized by uniform shortening of the hair on the body of the Shih Tzu, as well as cutting off the hairs on the paws in the form of cuffs. The haircut on the head is done in the form of a long bob, then the hair is braided into braids. Creating an Asian style involves using scissors and a machine.
In a Korean haircut, bright accessories are always used.
How to comb properly
Dogs are brushed frequently, and daily during shedding. The procedure helps prevent the formation of tangles. Basic moments:
- the wool is first moistened with a spray bottle;
- It is better to lay the animal on its side, start from the hind legs, move the brush strictly in the direction of hair growth, then move to the front legs and belly;
- To comb the back, the pet is placed on its feet, the parting is separated and each side is processed separately;
- Combing the head begins with the ears, smoothly moving to the muzzle.
Combing is a mandatory procedure.
The Shih Tzu's coat is soft and silky and requires constant care.
The Shih Tzu is a popular pet breed. To keep your dog healthy, cheerful and active, it is necessary to provide careful and constant care for its coat. To carry out the procedure independently, you should familiarize yourself with its intricacies in advance.
Step-by-step guide to cutting your Shih Tzu at home
At home, in natural conditions, the Shih Tzu is washed and then thoroughly dried. If there are tangles in the wool, it is moistened with water from a spray bottle or an aerosol, and the tangled areas are sorted out with your hands or a trimming knife (tangle cutter). Brush your pet in any case.
Using a machine, the fur on the body, neck and chest is shortened to the required length (up to 2.5 cm), and the “skirt” is removed. The machine is guided according to hair growth.
The base areas of the Shih Tzu's tail, abdomen, and groin are also carefully treated using a tool.
In intimate areas, long hair is cut with scissors. All hairs are removed between the paw pads. They work on the limbs with tools from top to bottom. As a result, the dog's legs should have straight column lines.
You should trim your Shih Tzu's face using scissors. At the same time, the eyebrows are trimmed and the beard is shortened along an oblique line. In the area around the eyes and nose, excess hair must be trimmed, and stray hairs must be removed from the ears.
The final stage of cutting a Shih Tzu is thinning out the areas treated with a machine with scissors. It is needed to give the dog a more neat and well-groomed appearance.
See also: 5 best hairstyles for dogs
Grooming at home or in the salon
It is highly undesirable to groom a show dog at home. The fur can easily be damaged, and the pet will not be allowed to participate in the exhibition.
Non-show dogs can be groomed themselves. It is important to be confident in your actions, otherwise the excitement will be transferred to the pet, and the haircut will turn into torture. You can ruin the cover or even injure the dog.
You can carry out minimal interventions yourself. First, the dog needs to be bathed, dried and combed. Then, using a clipper without an attachment, you need to trim the hair in the area of the anus and intimate area. After this, use scissors with round ends to remove the hairs between the fingers. Then the claws are cut from top to bottom using a nail cutter.
If you are confident in your abilities, you can trim the hair a little all over your body.
Many owners make mistakes that lead to loss of beauty and even health of the pet:
- The hair is over-dried using the wrong cosmetics, which causes its structure to be damaged.
- Instruments are not disinfected, which leads to inflammation in case of injury.
- They cut without combing, which causes pain for the dog.
- Vibrissae (!) and eyebrows are removed.
- They treat him rudely and make loud noises, which is why the Shih Tzu associates the haircut with negativity.
If the external attractiveness of your pet is a priority for you, it is better to entrust the haircut to an experienced groomer from a grooming salon.
A set of necessary tools and accessories
To groom your Shih Tzu on your own, you will need several items that can be purchased in specialized stores.
List of tools:
- rotary machine or trimmer with a set of attachments;
- scissors with pointed and rounded ends, thinning;
- a brush with stiff bristles;
- metal comb;
- trimming knife or welt cutter;
- tweezers for removing hair from ears;
- shampoo;
- conditioner balm;
- spray or aerosol.
Sequence of procedure
To shorten your pet’s claws quickly and painlessly, the dog owner should prepare for the procedure in advance and study the sequence and technology of performing all actions:
First of all, accustom your dog to the sight and sounds of nail clippers or nippers from a young age. You can playfully click the tool in front of the puppy so that the animal will not be afraid of it in the future. To encourage your pet, you need to treat it with treats. Before the first procedure, you need to think about a comfortable non-slip surface. This could be a table, a couch or a wide bench. You should invite an assistant to help restrain your pet or distract him by offering him a treat. This should be a person familiar to the dog and not causing him concern. It is better to trim nails when the pet is in a relaxed state, for example, he came after a tiring walk, played for a long time, or ate a hearty meal. While the animal is focused on a toy or food, you need to take its paw and carefully feel the pads of the fingers, each claw, determining the location of the nail bed. The owner should stand in front of the pet so that his hands are along his paws. The thumb should fix the pad of the toe on the front paws from which the claw is cut, the rest should grip the foot. It is more convenient to work with the hind legs when the dog lies on its side. Large pets are held down by leaning on them with the whole body and not allowing them to get up. It is better not to touch the spaces between your fingers. This can cause the dog discomfort or tickling and involuntary withdrawal of his paws. Then cut off the tip of each claw, leaving at least 2 mm to the pulp. In this case, you need to lightly press on the pads of your fingers so that they straighten. The cut is made only from below, in no case from above or from the side, this will cause delamination of the plate. Its angle is about 45 degrees or straight
You should be especially careful when working with dark breed dogs; it is better to cut off small sections, removing layer by layer. In general, it is advisable to trim the tip gradually, giving it the desired shape. If the cut surface is oval, the nail bed is nearby. Rudimentary claws have to be cut off more often, since they do not wear off at all and do not come into contact with surfaces when the pet moves. Now each cut must be carefully filed and sanded. If fur grows between your pet's toes, it is best to carefully cut it off with nail scissors with rounded tips. Briefly soak your pet's paw with trimmed claws in a bath of saline solution or chamomile infusion to relieve irritation and redness.
During the entire process, you should not raise your voice at the dog or show irritation and anger; the owner’s mood should be calm, friendly and positive. You should speak to your pet kindly, but firmly, calming him if necessary and forcing him to obey.
If the procedure does damage the pulp, then under no circumstances should the dog be allowed to escape. After putting the tool aside and interrupting the cutting process, you should gently clasp your pet with your hands, calming it down. Then treat the bleeding site with prepared products.
Differences in haircuts for boys and girls
A haircut for boys usually involves shortening the hair as much as possible. Particular attention is paid to the groin and anus areas. The best hairstyle for a male dog is considered to be the “teddy bear” haircut. For girls it should be slightly different. On female Shih Tzus, it is advisable to leave the hair longer, arranging the hair on the head in the form of ponytails or braids, decorated with accessories.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
Ask a Question
The puppy cut is universal and suitable for both sexes.
East is a delicate matter
The fashion for oriental-style hairstyles is quickly spreading among shitz owners.
How is a Korean haircut done? Aligned long hair remains on the pet's head, which can be braided into pigtails with bows, gathered into ponytails with elastic bands, and secured with hairpins along the entire length. The paws are cut off, leaving the cuffs. Light clothing in the national style helps complete the look.
Care after haircut
To maintain the natural showiness of a Shih Tzu dog, you need to follow certain rules.
It is recommended to periodically carry out the following actions:
- Moisturize and comb your pet's fur. A metal comb and a massage brush are suitable for this.
- Once every 1.5 weeks, bathe the animal in warm water. It is recommended to comb your dog immediately before and after washing. Also, tangles are removed before the procedure.
- Use conditioner balm when washing.
- After bathing the dog, use an antistatic spray or fixative with silk particles.
- Keep your Shih Tzu's hair on the top of his head and beard in ponytails.
- For walks, use silk overalls, which protect the wool from dirt and tangles.
Trimming nails
Trimming the nails is also a mandatory procedure - since the nails, if not shortened, begin to crack and bleed, which causes your pet great suffering.
Just like human nails, your Yorkie's nails should be trimmed regularly.
If you hear your dog clicking while walking on the parquet floor, it means it’s time to trim his nails. Before trimming your Yorkie puppy's nails to cope with this procedure, stock up on the following:
- nail clipper;
- cotton buds;
- nail scissors
- nailfile;
- dry potassium permanganate.
After cutting, the dog’s nails should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. Below are step-by-step recommendations on how to cut your Yorkie’s nails:
- place your pet on your lap and secure it tightly;
- move the hair from the finger you plan to process and lightly press it - the claw will extend and it will be more convenient to trim it;
- at an angle of 45 degrees, trying not to touch the claw bed, trim the claw;
- do not forget about the fifth fingers that are not visible;
- if you accidentally hit the claw bed and blood comes out, treat the area with a cotton swab, dipping it in dry potassium permanganate;
- a trimmed claw is too sharp - your pet can injure himself or someone else with it. Therefore, process it with a file;
- Next, remove all the hair from the base of the paw - dried dirt accumulates there. Dogs love this procedure much more than the nail trimming that precedes it.
And finally, one more piece of advice - it is best to trim the nails after bathing, when they are as soft as possible and well processed. If you don’t have a nail clipper, it’s okay, you can easily do it with ordinary nail scissors.
Basic mistakes
Grooming a Shih Tzu, especially the first one, is a very important undertaking. A novice dog breeder may make various mistakes during this process. The main ones that affect the appearance, health and behavior of the dog:
- cutting completely dry or too wet wool (leads to damage to the structure of the coat);
- neglect of disinfection of instruments and cleanliness of hands;
- leaving tangles, not combing the animal before the procedure;
- lack of final thinning;
- shaving the mustache and eyebrows (for dogs these are organs of touch);
- careless use of the machine, leading to cuts and skin irritation;
- the pet is located in an inconvenient place, which creates discomfort for him and the owner;
- sudden movements during the procedure, causing fear in the Shih Tzu.
Puppy teenager
A puppy haircut for a Shih Tzu is the easiest way to give it an attractive look. It makes owners and others want to cuddle the animal, enjoy its company, and show increased care. Most often, Shih Tzus are cut like puppies at home. This style involves leaving the wool of equal length.
Tips and tricks
The dog can have its first haircut from a young age (from 6 months), so that it immediately gets used to this difficult procedure. Moreover, it is not necessary to do all the manipulations. They start small. When the dog remains calm and does not run away, it is rewarded. In this case, the animal will associate the haircut with positive emotions.
If the owner of the Shih Tzu is not confident in his abilities, then the first procedure should be carried out by a professional. But there is another solution to the problem: turn to video tutorials in which the process is commented in detail.
It is recommended to take your pet for a walk before grooming. Experienced groomers also advise you to first draw a mental diagram of your Shih Tzu’s future hairstyle. In addition, you need to think through the procedure in advance so as not to get confused. This is especially important during the first haircuts at home, when the owner has no experience at all.
Shih Tzu hair should be cut on a flat surface. It should not be located too high or low. A rubber mat is laid on it to prevent the paws from slipping. During the procedure, it is necessary to contact the dog and behave affectionately with it. It is easier for animals to relax when they hear the owner’s voice and feel his stroking.
Cuts left accidentally after the procedure must be treated with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine.
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Reviews
Elena: “My favorite Ronya is the owner of a wonderful thick coat. When it grows back, I take him to a dog beauty salon. There, Shih Tzus get a comprehensive haircut. After this, the dog is transformed. We don’t go to exhibitions, but for myself I want the dog to look great.”
Natalya: “Daisy the Shih Tzu lives in our house. Relatives and friends admire this beauty. And achieving a spectacular look for a dog is very simple. Every day we comb her, and once a month, together with my husband, we cut her hair and make braids or ponytails.”
Dmitry: “My son loves dogs, and I decided to give him a Shih Tzu puppy. The dog became a great friend to us. But in autumn and spring this breed sheds heavily. Therefore, during the off-season, I always call home a groomer who gives the dog a teddy bear haircut.”
Pay attention to the floor
Boys have their hair cut a little differently than girls, choosing a bear and lion hairstyle. The hair in the groin area and near the anus is greatly shortened. The coat in other places is kept short. Girls are left with long locks, which are subsequently turned into braids and ponytails, pinned with hairpins, and decorated with bows and wide colored elastic bands.
Photo and video review
To familiarize yourself with hairstyle models, it is recommended to look at photos of all options. In the video you can see several Shih Tzu haircuts performed by professionals. This is the best guide for a beginner.
Photo gallery
We invite you to view a photo selection of dogs of this breed that can help you decide on a hairstyle for your beloved pet.
