The shih tzu is a small breed of dog native to Tibet and China, whose name means "lion dog." It is characterized by its abundant hair and its pleasant facial expression, which give it a pretty and cute appearance The fun personality of these dogs makes them the ideal pet for families with children, who will find many hours of fun at their side. Despite its size, it develops a fairly robust and plump body, and can weigh almost 8 kilos.
Part of the necessary care for a shih tzu is coat maintenance, both to give it a nice appearance and to prevent the formation of of knots, so frequent in the breed. That's why we want to introduce you 5 types of haircuts for a shih tzu
1. Puppy Cut
Before they are one year old, the change or shedding of the shih tzu occurs, typical of all dogs. During this stage the problem with knots is accentuated, so it is advisable to let the dog wear the short coat, simulating the appearance of the puppy, even in his Adult stage.
You can trim this yourself at home if you have some experience with this, or have it done by a professional for a better finish. Usually the body and legs arecompletely shaved, and the tail, head, ears and mustache are thinned a bit, without leaving any bare skin. zones. With this hairstyle your dog will look good, while avoiding the annoying problem of knots.
two. Long Cut
The biggest problem with the Shih Tzu's coat is the terrible knots that form if you don't give the coat the necessary care, especially if you want your dog to show off his long hair Ideally, moisten the coat with a conditioner suitable for dogs and tie the knots with your fingers to try to separate them without pulling the fur too much; if that doesn't work, use a wide-toothed comb called a rake.
Once all knots are undone, use a soft bristle brush to shape the entire coat, brushing down on the ears and tail, and looking for a fluffy look on the rest of the body.
3. Lion Cut
Some owners prefer to give the Shih Tzu a hairstyle that matches the breed's name, although instead of an imposing appearance it actually looks even more adorable. It's about the lion dog hairstyle, called "teddy" by some.
It can also be done at home or left in the hands of a professional: all the hair that covers the body, legs and tail is cut. Only the hair that surrounds the head is left long, which will be brushed so that it looks more fluffy, like a lion's mane. We are sure that you and your shih tzu will have fun with these hairstyles. Be creative and give your pet a cute look by playing with her fur
4. Japanese Cut
Although there really are different styles within the Japanese cut, the truth is that they all agree on leaving the dog's ears are long and accompanied by very hairy legs, which may well have a rounded or triangular shape. This is a very special haircut, which undoubtedly needs the expert hand of the dog stylist
5. Haircuts with bows, pigtails and braids
Finally we can opt for a hairstyle for medium or semi-long hair in which we include an elastic band to make bows, pigtails and braids, something very popular even in professional competitions:a coquettish bow on the head.
Whether the body hair is cut or left to a considerable length (without hindering the dog's mobility, of course), the chignon will add charm and make the face of the dog even more visible. shih tzu, whose shape is often compared to a chrysanthemum.
To make this hairstyle, take the hair that is on the crown and gently comb upwards, thus untangling and fluffing at the same time. Secure the strand with a hair tie, preferably latex. Fix the surroundings of the head and voila, your shih tzu will show off his new bow.
