25 Shih Tzu Haircut Ideas (Teddy Bear, Puppy Cut, Lion Cut & More)

A Shih Tzu’s coat is half the charm — and half the work. That long, flowing hair mats fast, tangles faster, and turns every walk into a brushing session if you let it grow wild. The good news: there is a cut for every lifestyle, from the wash-and-go puppy cut to the full show-coat glamour. Below are 25 Shih Tzu haircut ideas, from the most-requested classics to the fun, photo-ready styles owners actually pin — with the length, the upkeep, and exactly what to ask your groomer for each one.

The 25 Haircut Ideas

1. Puppy Cut

The most requested Shih Tzu cut of all — and the easiest to live with. The whole coat is clipped short and even, usually ½ inch to 2 inches all over, so brushing takes minutes instead of half an hour. It keeps the puppy look at any age, stays cool in summer, and is the cut groomers suggest first for owners who hate daily brushing. Ask for one even length, and slightly longer on the face if you like the soft look.

2. Teddy Bear Cut

The Pinterest favourite. The body is clipped to about 2–2½ inches while the face is left longer — around 4 inches — then rounded into a soft, plush teddy-bear face with a short muzzle and round cheeks. It is cuddly, photogenic, and flattering on almost every Shih Tzu, male or female. It needs brushing every couple of days to keep the face fluffy, and a face trim between grooms.

3. Lion Cut

Bold, dramatic, and impossible to miss at the dog park. The body is clipped very short while the mane around the head and chest stays long and full, like a little lion — often with a tuft left on the tail tip too. It is a statement cut, best for confident owners and dogs who tolerate the clippers, and it grows out into a puppy cut, so you are never stuck with it for long.

4. Top Knot (Show Cut)

The classic show look: the long coat is kept full-length and the hair on top of the head is gathered into a top knot, often with a bow. This is the cut for owners who love the glamour and are willing to brush daily — the long coat mats fast without it. Ask your groomer to show you how to tie the knot at home; a loose band and a quick daily comb keep it comfortable.

5. Kennel Cut

The practical short cut. Everything is clipped short and uniform, including the ears, for the lowest-maintenance Shih Tzu there is. Groomers often recommend it after a matted coat has to come off, or for hot weather, or for dogs who hate being brushed. It is not the fanciest cut on this list, but it is the one that buys you the most time between grooms.

6. Summer Cut

The shortest version of the puppy-cut family, built for heat. The coat comes down to under an inch all over, the belly is clipped close, and the paws are tidied so mud and grass do not cling. In Pakistan’s summer heat this is the sensible choice — but remember a very short clip means less sun protection, so keep midday walks short and shaded.

7. Japanese-Style Cut

The cute, doll-like cut trending in Asian grooming salons: a round, fluffy head, short rounded body, and neatly shaped ears, with soft, even proportions all over. It photographs beautifully and suits the Shih Tzu’s round face perfectly. Bring a reference photo — “Japanese style” means slightly different things to different groomers, and the picture does the talking.

8. Korean-Style Cut

Close cousin of the Japanese cut, with an even softer, rounder silhouette — think plush toy rather than show dog. The face is rounded, the body is short and fluffy, and the ears blend into the head shape instead of hanging long. It is a high-maintenance look between grooms because the roundness grows out fast, so book the next appointment before you leave the salon.

9. Butterfly Cut

A fun, feminine style: the ears are left long and fluffy and shaped outward like butterfly wings, while the body is kept short and neat. It works best on Shih Tzus with thick ear hair and a calm temperament for brushing, since long ears tangle easily. Pair it with a small bow and it is one of the most pinnable cuts on this list.

10. Round-Face Teddy Trim

Like the teddy bear cut, but the whole point is the face: the groomer rounds the cheeks, chin, and forehead into one soft circle, with the muzzle kept short and tidy. It makes the eyes look bigger and the whole dog look younger. Ask for the face to be scissored, not clipped — scissors give the round shape, clippers give a flat one.

11. Lamb Cut

Fluffy body, neat legs — the lamb cut keeps the torso soft and full like a little lamb while the legs and face are trimmed shorter and tidier. It is a good middle ground if you love the fluffy look but hate matted legs, since the legs are where mats form first. It needs a slicker brush twice a week to stay fluffy instead of matted.

12. Monk Cut

A quirky, old-school style: the body is clipped short while the ears and beard are left long, giving a wise little monk look. It is unusual enough to turn heads, and practical too — the short body stays clean while the long furnishings keep the character. It suits calmer, older Shih Tzus best, and the beard needs wiping after meals.

13. Skirt Cut

Short on top, long on the bottom: the back and sides are clipped while the hair along the belly and legs is left long like a little skirt. It looks elegant in motion and shows off the coat without the full grooming burden of a show coat. The skirt tangles where it brushes the ground, so it is best for mostly-indoor dogs or owners who comb daily.

14. Princess Cut

The full glamour option for female Shih Tzus: long flowing coat, top knot with bows, and neatly shaped ears, groomed to look like a little royal. It is the highest-maintenance cut here — daily brushing is not optional, and the coat will mat in days if skipped. Save it for special occasions or for owners who genuinely enjoy grooming as bonding time.

15. Long Floor-Length Show Coat

The natural, unclipped Shih Tzu coat grown to the floor, parted down the middle, just as the breed standard shows it. It is breathtaking and it is a job: daily brushing, regular baths, and coat oil or conditioner to prevent breakage. Only choose this if you can commit to the routine — a neglected long coat ends in a kennel cut, and a matted one hurts.

16. Medium-Length Everyday Cut

The sensible middle: 1–2 inches all over, slightly longer on the ears and tail. It keeps the Shih Tzu look without the daily brushing burden, survives a muddy walk without becoming a disaster, and grows out gracefully between grooms. If you cannot decide on a style, ask for this — it is the cut most groomers would choose for their own dog.

17. Face Trim Only

Not a full haircut — a maintenance trim between grooms. The groomer tidies the face, clears the hair around the eyes, trims the muzzle and chin, and cleans up the paws, while the body stays as it is. It is cheap, quick, and it is what keeps a longer cut looking intentional instead of overgrown. Book it halfway between full grooms.

18. Puppy’s First Haircut

A gentle first groom, not a style: a bath, a light tidy of the face, paws, and sanitary area, and just a little length off the body so the puppy learns that grooming is safe. Keep the first session short and positive — treats, calm voice, no clippers near the face if the puppy is nervous. A good first cut sets up a lifetime of easy grooms.

19. Short Cut for Senior Shih Tzus

Older dogs get tired standing, stiffen on the table, and often have thinner skin — so the kindest cut is a short, even one with no fiddly styling. It is quick to groom, easy to keep clean, and lets you spot lumps, sores, or skin changes early. Tell your groomer about arthritis or anxiety; a good groomer will groom in short stages with breaks.

20. Short Cut for Active Dogs

For Shih Tzus who hike, swim, or wrestle at the park: a short all-over clip with a tidy sanitary trim and short paws, so mud, burrs, and wet grass have nowhere to hide. It dries fast after a bath or a swim, and a quick towel-off replaces a full brushing session. Keep the ears a touch longer if you like — they are the one place a short cut still looks soft.

21. Long Ears, Short Body

The best of both worlds: the body is clipped short and practical while the ears stay long, full, and feathered. It keeps the classic Shih Tzu silhouette without the brushing burden of a long coat, and the ears frame the face beautifully. The trade-off is ear care — long ears need checking and cleaning, and they drag in the food bowl, so use a narrow bowl or a snood at mealtimes.

22. Beard & Moustache Keep

Short body, long face furnishings: the beard and moustache are left long and shaped while everything else is clipped neat. It gives the distinguished, slightly grumpy-old-man charm Shih Tzus do so well, and it is much less work than a full long coat. The beard needs wiping after every meal and a comb-through daily, or it mats into a solid clump.

23. Mohawk / Fauxhawk

The fun one: the sides and body are clipped short while a strip of longer hair runs down the top of the head and back, spiked up into a little mohawk. It is a party cut — great for photos, birthdays, and gotcha days — and it grows out into a normal short cut, so there is no commitment. Ask for it scissored, not gelled; dogs do not need styling products.

24. Bob Cut

Chin-length all over, rounded at the edges — the dog version of a bob haircut. It is neat, modern, and easier than a long coat while still looking styled rather than simply short. It suits female Shih Tzus especially well, pairs beautifully with a small bow, and needs a brush every two or three days to hold the rounded shape.

25. Sanitary / Hygiene Trim

The functional cut every owner should know: the groomer clips the belly, groin, and rear short and tidy, and trims the hair between the paw pads. It is not a style on its own — it pairs with any cut on this list — but it keeps the dog cleaner, drier, and more comfortable, especially for puppies, seniors, and long-coated dogs. Ask for it at every groom, even if the rest of the cut stays long.

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How to Choose the Right Cut

• Hate brushing? Puppy cut, kennel cut, or summer cut — short all over, minutes of brushing a week.
• Love the fluffy look but not the work? Teddy bear cut or medium-length everyday cut — fluffy where it shows, short where it mats.
• Want the glamour? Top knot, princess cut, or the full show coat — but only with daily brushing.
• Hot climate or active dog? Summer cut or short cut for active dogs — cool, clean, and fast to dry.
• First groom? Puppy’s first haircut — short, positive, and gentle.

Coat Lengths at a Glance

Cut	Body length	Face	Upkeep
Puppy cut	½–2 inches	Short, soft	Low — brush 2–3x a week
Teddy bear cut	2–2½ inches	~4 inches, rounded	Medium — brush every 2 days
Lion cut	Very short	Long mane	Medium — mane needs brushing
Top knot / show	Full length	Long, tied up	High — daily brushing
Kennel cut	Short all over	Short	Very low
Summer cut	Under 1 inch	Short	Very low
Medium everyday	1–2 inches	Slightly longer	Low–medium

How Often to Groom a Shih Tzu

Most Shih Tzus need a full groom every 4–6 weeks, and a typical groom costs $60–100 in the US. Between grooms, brush 2–3 times a week for short cuts and daily for long ones — the coat mats fast, and mats pull the skin and hurt. A face trim halfway between grooms keeps the eyes clear and the cut looking fresh, and it is the cheapest way to stretch the time between full appointments.

Haircut Tips Before You Book

• Bring a photo. “Teddy bear cut” means different lengths to different groomers — the picture is the brief.
• Say the length in inches. “Two inches on the body, four on the face” beats “not too short” every time.
• Mention matting honestly. A matted coat may need to come off short; hiding it wastes the groomer’s time and hurts the dog.
• Ask about the face. The face is where a cut succeeds or fails — say whether you want it rounded, short, or left long.
• Book the next groom before you leave. The round cuts grow out in 4 weeks, and good groomers book up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular Shih Tzu haircut?

The puppy cut is the most requested — short, even, and easy to live with at ½ to 2 inches all over. The teddy bear cut is the most pinned and photographed, thanks to its round, plush face. If you want easy, pick the puppy cut; if you want cute photos, pick the teddy bear.

Puppy cut vs teddy bear cut — what is the difference?

The puppy cut is short and even everywhere, including the face. The teddy bear cut keeps the body at 2–2½ inches but leaves the face long (around 4 inches) and rounds it into a teddy-bear shape. The puppy cut is lower maintenance; the teddy bear cut is fluffier and more photogenic.

How often do Shih Tzus need grooming?

Every 4–6 weeks for a full groom, with brushing 2–3 times a week for short cuts and daily for long coats. A face trim between grooms keeps things tidy. Expect $60–100 per groom in the US, more for long or matted coats.

Can I cut my Shih Tzu’s hair at home?

You can maintain a short cut at home with blunt-tipped scissors and a clipper with a guard — but the face, ears, and sanitary areas are risky for beginners, and a bad cut grows out in weeks anyway. Start with face trims and paw tidies, and leave the first full cut to a professional who can show you the technique.

Final Thoughts

There is no single best Shih Tzu haircut — there is the best cut for your dog’s coat, your climate, and how much brushing you will honestly do. A puppy cut on a dog who hates the brush beats a show coat on a dog who dreads the comb, every time. Pick one from this list, save a photo of it, and tell your groomer the lengths in inches. And if you try one and hate it, remember the kindest truth about dog haircuts: it grows back in weeks. The next cut is always a fresh start.