Because of their luxurious long hair, grooming a Shih Tzu is a mandatory procedure in caring for these animals. When creating hairstyles, owners are guided by established standards or their imagination, trying to surprise others. If you know how to properly cut your Shih Tzu's hair, you can save a lot on specialized salons. If you follow a number of rules, even beginners can handle the procedure.
Exhibition haircut
Needed to prepare your pet for the exhibition. It is important to entrust the procedure to a professional: any mistake can lead to withdrawal from the competition.
During the procedure, the groomer will trim the hair a little and remove hair in the anus, genital area and between the toes. It is important to carefully shape your beard and mustache. Finally, a ponytail is formed on the head and curlers are put on.
The purpose of the haircut is to create the canonical image of the breed. The coat should flow to the tips of the paws and be shiny.
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.
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.
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Creative haircuts
Suitable for those dogs that do not participate in exhibitions. Different hairstyles give your pet an unusual look, make it easier to care for and make it easier to withstand the heat.
"Teddy bear"
This is the favorite haircut of many breed owners. The fur is shortened to a length of 5 cm, after which it resembles dense plush. The head and muzzle are given a rounded shape. The hair on the back of the head is gathered into a ponytail.
Like a puppy
Another popular haircut. It is short and pets like it: wearing such a hairstyle in the heat is comfortable.
A cut dog looks very cute and makes you want to cuddle it. The cover is cut to a length of 2.5 cm (but not shorter). A cap is formed on the head, and the hair on it is approximately twice as long as on the body.
You can’t cut your hair too short: you can injure the animal, and the skin becomes vulnerable to the sun’s rays.
Korean
It makes your Shih Tzu look like an anime character. To create the look, the groomer trims the hair evenly across the dog's body. Cuffs or flares remain on the paws. The hair on the head is kept at maximum length to form a bob. Later you can weave braids from it.
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.
Nuances in the hairstyles of boys and girls
The fixed standards are the same for representatives of different sexes. If we talk about model haircuts, then there are some nuances.
For Shih Tzu girls, a short haircut is not the best choice. The elegance of little ladies is demonstrated with the help of long hairstyles with a “skirt”, spectacular braids and ponytails, decorated with bright accessories.
For Shih Tzu boys, a “puppy” or “teddy bear” haircut is suitable. The images of males are more laconic, so the coat is shortened as much as possible.
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.
Main types
Ideas about the appearance of the breed are changing.
New animal care technologies lead to a gradual renewal of the dog’s appearance, which sometimes leads to a change in the breed standard. Specialists keep up with the times, trying to contribute to maintaining the beauty of the breed using modern methods and tools. Each haircut serves a specific purpose and is carried out in a given sequence at set intervals.
The use of various devices, the imagination of the owner, and the skill of the groomer create highly artistic masterpieces that are pleasing to the eye.
Popular Shih Tzu haircuts:
- hygienic;
- exhibition (standard);
- model.
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.
How to bathe a Shih Tzu
You can bathe your dog once every 10 days. Before the procedure, you need to untangle the tangles, otherwise it will be more difficult to do so afterwards.
The water temperature should be 37-38°C. You need to start washing from the back. You should not pour water directly on your head: dogs have a hard time getting water into their eyes, nose and ears.
For washing, you can use shampoo for long-haired breeds. It is important not to rub the wool in all directions - it will get tangled.
To avoid drying out your hair with sulfates, the shampoo can be diluted with water. Then apply the resulting foam to a sponge and wipe the wet fur in one direction.
After this, the cover should be slightly wrung out (carefully so as not to tangle), and then wrapped first in one, then in a second towel. You can dry it with a hairdryer and a powder brush.
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.
How to comb properly
This breed needs to be brushed daily, otherwise tangles will quickly appear. You can get used to this procedure as early as 6 weeks of age.
For combing, use a metal comb with sparse teeth and a massage brush. You can start with the hind legs. First you need to go through it with a comb and then with a brush.
You should not dry brush your Shih Tzu. It is imperative to use a special conditioner spray or at least spray the comb.
Breed traits
Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)
| Shih Tzu | |||
| Activity | in the house | 2.8 | |
| on the street | 2.9 | ||
| Obedience | training | 3.7 | |
| strangers | 3.5 | ||
| Domination | in family | 2.3 | |
| over dogs | 2.4 | ||
| Defending your territory | from people | 2.4 | |
| from dogs | 2.8 | ||
| Sociability | in family | 4.5 | |
| with strangers | 3.9 | ||
| with dogs | 3.1 | ||
| Concentration | in family | 1.8 | |
| in front of strangers | 1.9 | ||
| with dogs | 2.3 | ||
| Aggressiveness | in family | 1.4 | |
| to strangers | 1.9 | ||
| to the dogs | 2.2 | ||
| to cats | 1.7 | ||
| Family behavior | calmness | 3.8 | |
| demand for affection | 4.2 | ||
| excitability | 3.6 | ||
| playfulness | 4 | ||
| excessive barking | 2.2 | ||
| behavioral breakdowns | 1.3 | ||
| Tolerance for children | up to 4 years | 3.6 | |
| over 4 years old | 3.9 | ||
| Institutional use | watchman | 3.6 | |
| bodyguard | 1.7 | ||
This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese (Maltese Bichon), Pomeranian, Bichon Frize, Pekingese.
The photo shows what a Shih Tzu looks like:
General rules for combing
The Shih Tzu's long coat needs to be thoroughly brushed at least once every few days. However, in some cases it is necessary to carry out the procedure daily.
During the molting period, it is imperative to pay attention to combing your pet every day to avoid tangles. Don't think that one Shih Tzu brush is all you need to do this.
You will need several combs, including a massage brush and a long-toothed metal comb. The ideal option would be a double-sided comb with different densities and lengths of teeth.
Let us describe in detail the procedure for combing a pet:
- Combing begins from the hind legs, strands at a time. You need to start scratching from the bottom up, and then back. It is better to lay the animal on its side. If there are tangles and tangled hair, they need to be taken apart and untangled with your fingers, and then comb the hair with a comb;
- Using the same pattern, you need to comb your paws, belly, and armpits. Then you need to part your back and comb from top to bottom;
- Carefully comb behind the ears and remove tangles. To determine the direction of combing, you should focus on the depression on the nose. The hair above it is combed upward, and below it - in a downward direction. The mustache is also divided evenly and combed down;
- If your pet has a lot of tangles, you first need to untangle or cut them off. It is not recommended to bathe an animal with mats, as this will only worsen the situation.
For a Shih Tzu's everyday neat appearance, a short haircut is quite appropriate. It will not require much effort, nor much time, nor much expense. When an animal has a short haircut, the combing process is reduced, but a short hairstyle does not eliminate the need for combing.
Paw care
It is necessary to inspect the paws regularly. Plant seeds, plants themselves, thorns, and glass can get stuck there.
If the dog has walked on fresh fuel oil or asphalt, its paws should be greased and then washed with soap.
In winter, another scourge is chemicals. After every walk, you must wash your paws, otherwise the chemicals will corrode the skin. To avoid problems, your dog can be trained to wear special shoes.
Trimming claws must be done extremely carefully. It is important not to touch the vessel. In dark-haired dogs, the living part of the claw is difficult to see. You should cut into small pieces, monitoring your pet’s reaction. If the vessel is touched, the bleeding surface must be treated with ferrous sulfate powder (it is better to always keep it in the first aid kit).
As you can see, grooming a Shih Tzu requires some effort. But in return, the pet will thank you with a luxurious appearance and fun play. If home care is burdensome for you, you can always turn to professionals.
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.”
Required Tools
Have you decided to become your dog's personal groomer and don't know where to start? Let's go to a virtual dog beauty salon and study it from the inside, purchase cosmetics and hygiene products, and also equip our workplace with everything necessary. Here's what we need:
Table
Groomer table. It is theoretically possible to carry out the grooming procedure on any table, but it is not convenient. You will need an anti-slip table equipped with a bracket. It can be of various sizes, with or without wheels. It is more convenient to buy a folding table for home use.
Hairdryer
You need a powerful hairdryer, especially if you want to dry a dog with a thick undercoat. In salons they use a special compressor, but at home you can get by with a high-quality household hair dryer with 3-4 operating modes.
Scissors set
Grooming scissors are an important tool. There should be 4 of them: straight, curved, with blunt ends and thinning.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics and care products. The minimum set is zoo shampoo and conditioner. They should be selected according to the dog's coat type.
If finances allow, you can pamper and buy for the care of your beloved pet’s coat: a nourishing mask, styling gel, oil for silkiness and shine, tinting paints, various sprays and aromatic perfume.
Other
We choose other tools depending on the breed of the dog. If we are talking about decorative fluffy breeds, then most likely you will need: combs with frequent, rare and rotating teeth, a slicker brush, a massage brush, a furminator, a trimmer and a tangle cutter.
It would be a good idea to buy a special bathtub for washing dogs, but only if you have space in your apartment to store it.
Well, that's basically all. Now let’s calculate how much such an undertaking will cost us:
| Name | Approximate average price |
| Grooming table with bracket | 10 000 |
| Hairdryer | 5000 |
| Hair clipper (trimmer) | 4000 |
| Scissors set | 10 000 |
| Other tools | 4000 |
| nail clipper | 300 |
| Basic cosmetic set | 2000 |
| Additional cosmetic set | 2000 |
| Workwear | 1500 |
| Storage case | 1500 |
| Total: | 40 300 |
Perhaps the final figure will surprise you with its magnitude. Let's continue the calculations: multiply the minimum number of groomer services per year by their cost and by the life of the dog 4 x 1500 x 15 = 90,000 rubles and subtract the investments 40,300 = 49,700 rubles - this is exactly the amount you will have in the family budget. Whether it is profitable or not is up to you to decide.
In addition, you can save significantly on investments in the following ways:
- Equip a regular table with a rubber backing and purchase a holding bracket for it.
- Buy used equipment.
- Refuse to buy work clothes and a case for storing tools.
- Use mid-priced hair care products.
- Do not use additional cosmetics or choose them from a more budget-friendly option.
You cannot skimp on the quality of scissors and clippers. They must be the best, always new and factory sharpened.
Only such tools will give you pleasure in your work and pleasant sensations for your dog. Don’t chase products from the economy class category, they will only bring disappointment.
General rules
Before grooming, the dog is bathed, blotted with a towel, combed thoroughly and dried using a hair dryer.
Using a machine, the length is removed on the back of the nose and at the bottom of the mouth. Select individual hairs from the eyes and nostrils.
They determine how long the fur will be left on which parts of the body. The body is cut to a conventional boundary, which is visually drawn:
- along the hind legs - to the ischial tuberosities and groin;
- above the line of the elbow joints of the front legs.
Then move on to the chest and neck. Here the machine is driven from bottom to top to:
- lines of transition of the neck to the mouth;
- bases of the ears.
The lower border of the panties is emphasized at the level of the foot, and the hair between the toes is cut off.
The tail is cut so that it does not fall to the side. The hair around the anus is cut short.
The final stage is to use thinning scissors in a top-down motion through the fur on the paws, ears, and tail.
Finally, the Shih Tzu is combed, the remaining fur is styled and decorated with bright hairpins and elastic bands.
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.
