When it comes to grooming a Shih Tzu, style isn’t just a matter of looks—it’s a way to ensure your dog’s coat stays healthy, tangle-free, and seasonally appropriate. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance summer trim or a show-stopping layered look, the options are endless. This year, we’ve seen a surge in creative grooming trends, blending practicality with head-turning style. And in this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the top 30 Shih Tzu grooming styles that every owner should consider.
Each style listed below includes expert tips, maintenance insights, seasonal suitability, and which type of Shih Tzu it fits best—puppies, seniors, active dogs, or fashionistas.
Let’s dive into the top grooming styles that will keep your Shih Tzu looking fabulous in 2025 and beyond.
🧼 Understanding Shih Tzu Coat Types First
Before choosing a grooming style, you must understand your dog’s coat:
- Straight Coats: Easier to shape but show dirt quickly.
- Wavy Coats: Offer natural volume but tangle fast.
- Thick Double Coats: Provide insulation but require frequent brushing.
- Sparse or Aging Coats: Need gentle, minimal styles.
Grooming should reflect your dog’s coat type, lifestyle, and environment.
✂️ Top 30 Shih Tzu Grooming Styles to Try This Year
1. Teddy Bear Cut
- Best for: All ages
- Hair Length: 1–2 inches evenly
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Cute, youthful, widely loved
- Cons: Requires frequent trimming to maintain shape
- Perfect For: Daily indoor dogs who need manageable fur
2. Puppy Cut
- Best for: Puppies and casual owners
- Hair Length: 1 inch or less
- Maintenance: Low
- Pros: Simple, neat, comfortable
- Cons: Loses signature long-coat Shih Tzu look
- Season: Great for warm weather
3. Lion Cut
- Best for: Fashion-forward dogs
- Hair Length: Long mane, shaved body
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Dramatic and fun
- Cons: Needs precise trimming to look clean
- Perfect For: Photo shoots and personality-packed dogs
4. Top Knot Show Cut
- Best for: Show Shih Tzus
- Hair Length: Long, full body and face hair with tied-up crown
- Maintenance: Very high
- Pros: Classic beauty
- Cons: Needs brushing every day, professional touch
- Season: Avoid in extreme heat
5. Summer Cut
- Best for: Active dogs in hot climates
- Hair Length: Very short
- Maintenance: Low
- Pros: Keeps them cool and clean
- Cons: Loses fluffiness
- Tip: Don’t clip too close to skin to prevent sunburn
6. Winter Coat Trim
- Best for: Cold-weather pups
- Hair Length: Long with tidied edges
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Preserves warmth
- Cons: Must brush daily to prevent matting
7. Layered Round Face Trim
- Best for: Dogs with thick face hair
- Hair Length: Short ears, sculpted cheeks
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Eyes are visible; no debris collection
- Cons: Tricky DIY
8. Clean Face & Tail Emphasis
- Best for: Dogs with expressive eyes
- Hair Length: Short face, fluffy tail
- Maintenance: Low
- Pros: Cute, practical
- Cons: Requires tail brushing
9. Full Long Show Coat
- Best for: Competitions
- Hair Length: Floor-length all around
- Maintenance: Very high
- Pros: Glorious, silky appearance
- Cons: Needs weekly deep grooming
- Note: Use detangling spray daily
10. Mohawk Cut
- Best for: Bold personalities
- Hair Length: Short body, mohawk on top
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Edgy, modern
- Cons: Not for all coat types
11. Rounded Ear Puff
- Best for: Classic look with flair
- Hair Length: Medium everywhere, fluffy ears
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Feminine, soft expression
- Cons: Requires styling foam for volume
12. Mop Cut
- Best for: Long-haired lovers
- Hair Length: Very long, bangs over eyes
- Maintenance: Very high
- Pros: Instagram-worthy
- Cons: Not safe for active outdoor pups
13. Short Face with Beard Trim
- Best for: Mature males
- Hair Length: Trimmed face, pronounced beard
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Sophisticated
- Cons: Food gets trapped easily
14. Asian Fusion Style
- Best for: Fashion-forward owners
- Hair Length: Stylized body, ultra-round face
- Maintenance: High
- Pros: Super cute, pop-culture vibe
- Cons: Must be done by a pro
15. Princess Cut
- Best for: Female Shih Tzus
- Hair Length: Long body, feathered legs and tail
- Maintenance: High
- Pros: Elegant, soft, flowing
- Cons: Can collect dirt if not well-kept
16. Boot Cut
- Best for: Active dogs who need leg protection
- Hair Length: Short body, fluffy legs like boots
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Unique and practical
- Cons: Requires careful shaping
17. Fox Cut
- Best for: Dogs with pointed features
- Hair Length: Sleek body, fluffy tail
- Maintenance: Low
- Pros: Gives an energetic, alert look
- Cons: Not ideal for round-faced dogs
18. Short Bob
- Best for: Clean appearance
- Hair Length: Short all around, chin-length face
- Maintenance: Low
- Pros: Great for vision and cleanliness
- Cons: Not as soft-looking
19. Teddy With Fluffy Legs
- Best for: Balanced cute + fashionable
- Hair Length: Short body, plush legs
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Flattering on any Shih Tzu
- Cons: Needs frequent touch-ups
20. Fringed Ears
- Best for: Enhancing ear length
- Hair Length: Trimmed body, long ears
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Sophisticated yet fun
- Cons: Can dip in food/water
21. Bell Bottom Cut
22. Rounded Teddy Style with Top Knot
- Best for: Photoshoots and events
- Hair Length: Rounded body and face, long top knot
- Maintenance: High
- Pros: Elegant, feminine
- Cons: Requires daily brushing
23. Plush Show Puppy Cut
- Best for: Show-line Shih Tzu puppies
- Hair Length: 1.5 inches all over
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Keeps puppy coat safe
- Cons: Grows out unevenly if not trimmed regularly
24. Flat Face Cut
- Best for: Dogs with tear staining
- Hair Length: Very short muzzle and eyes
- Maintenance: Low
- Pros: Reduces eye goop and smell
- Cons: Needs trimming every 3 weeks
25. Ponytail Top Knot
- Best for: Owners who love styling
- Hair Length: Full face, tied-up crown
- Maintenance: Medium-high
- Pros: Opens the face beautifully
- Cons: Must clean eyes regularly
26. Show Ring Flip Top Knot
- Best for: Show competition only
- Hair Length: Crown flipped backward, very long coat
- Maintenance: Very high
- Pros: Regal and commanding
- Cons: Time-consuming and costly
27. Round Teddy With Face Clean
- Best for: Low-maintenance owners
- Hair Length: Round body and ears, shaved face
- Maintenance: Low
- Pros: Keeps food/water away from face
- Cons: Loses fluff on the face
28. Face Pom-Poms
- Best for: Creative cuts
- Hair Length: Poms over cheeks, short muzzle
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Eye-catching, perfect for festivals
- Cons: High maintenance if outdoors often
29. Feathered Tail With Foxy Face
- Best for: Long tail lovers
- Hair Length: Short body, feathered tail, angular muzzle
- Maintenance: Medium
- Pros: Striking silhouette
- Cons: Brush tail daily
30. Hybrid Cut (Puppy + Lion Combo)
- Best for: Unconventional styles
- Hair Length: Short body, lion mane, puppy face
- Maintenance: Medium-high
- Pros: Best of both worlds
- Cons: Difficult to DIY
📊 Comparison Table: Top 10 Styles at a Glance
| Style | Maintenance | Hair Length | Season | DIY-Friendly | Uniqueness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teddy Bear Cut | Medium | 1–2 inches | All-year | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Puppy Cut | Low | 1 inch | Summer | ✅✅ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Lion Cut | Medium | Mixed | All-year | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Summer Cut | Low | Short | Summer | ✅✅✅ | ⭐⭐ |
| Show Top Knot | Very High | Long | Fall/Winter | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bob Cut | Low | Medium | All-year | ✅ | ⭐⭐ |
| Fox Cut | Low | Short | Spring/Summer | ✅✅ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Boot Cut | Medium | Mixed | Fall | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Round Face Trim | Medium | Mixed | All-year | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Asian Fusion Style | High | Stylized | Any | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
🧴 Essential Grooming Tools for Each Style
- Rounded Tip Scissors: For facial and paw pads
- Adjustable Clippers: Ideal for summer and puppy cuts
- De-shedding Rake: Great for lion and long coats
- Top Knot Bands: Required for show and ponytail cuts
- Conditioning Spray: Must-have for long coat styles
- Nail Grinder: To keep paws tidy and safe
💡 Expert Tips for Grooming Shih Tzus at Home
- Brush Daily: Even short cuts benefit from regular brushing to prevent oil buildup and matting.
- Wipe Eyes Gently: Shih Tzus are prone to tear stains—wipe daily with warm, damp cotton pads.
- Trim Feet Hair: Always keep paw pads visible and clean to avoid dirt buildup.
- Avoid Over-Bathing: Every 3–4 weeks is ideal unless otherwise advised.
- Choose Styles Based on Activity Level: For playful dogs, go short; for indoor, you can experiment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What’s the most low-maintenance Shih Tzu grooming style?
The puppy cut or summer cut requires the least upkeep and suits all seasons.
Q2. Can I groom my Shih Tzu at home?
Yes. For simpler styles like the puppy cut or rounded face, you can use clippers and scissors. More detailed styles (e.g., Asian fusion) should be done by a groomer.
Q3. What’s the best style for hot weather?
The summer cut keeps your Shih Tzu cool and avoids heat stress.
Q4. Which grooming style works best for show dogs?
The full long show coat with a top knot is the gold standard in competitions.
Q5. How often should I groom a Shih Tzu?
Brushing: Daily
Bathing: Every 3–4 weeks
Trimming: Every 4–6 weeks (depending on style)
