If you are a new Shih Tzu owner, you might be a bit overwhelmed with all the possible haircuts that your Shih Tzu could have as they all have different benefits. In this article we will be discussing Best Summer Haircut for Cut for Shih Tzu. We will also discuss how to cut Shih Tzu Hair at Home.
Shih Tzus are prone to heatstroke due to overheating so keeping their long hair nice and trim will help them stay cool and possibly save their lives one day.
In this guide, we have collected the best haircuts that you can give your Shih Tzu, as well as how to do it in the comfort of your own bathroom or back porch.
Contents
Benefits of a Summer Cut
Dogs keep themselves cool by panting, shedding, and sweating through their paw pads, but sometimes this is not enough to keep their temperature down if they have a big hairy coat.
To help imagine what it feels like, imagine walking around on a very hot, sunny day in a big jacket that you cannot take off.
You are already probably feeling suffocated just thinking about it.
However, in the winter, the Shih Tzu will need their coat to keep them warm as it acts as protective insulation.
If your dog has a heavy coat, they will be kept nice and toasty in the colder months but when summer rolls around, the very thing that keeps the coat warm is what might kill them.
As well as keeping them pleasant and cool, giving your double-coated Shih Tzu a summer haircut will make them shed a lot less because they won’t need to in order to control their temperature.
Shaving Your Shih Tzu
You might believe that the easiest thing to do is simply shave all of your Shih Tzus hair off, but this can be very detrimental for them as they will have nothing to protect them against the elements which include harmful UV rays from the sun.
Having no coat actually makes them even more susceptible to sunburns, overheating, and skin cancer so doesn’t shave your dog!
If you have a different breed of dog including golden retrievers and huskies which both have double coats, you should not cut them down to the undercoat as it can make the hair take much longer to grow back.
It can also trap heat underneath the coat as it does not have the function to ventilate properly.
Cutting Your Shih Tzu’s Hair at Home
Before you put the scissors to your Shih Tzu’s coat, you should give them a nice warm bath to clean the hair and get rid of grime and debris.
This will make it much easier to cut and will also help to remove dead and loose hair, giving you the perfect starting point.
Once you have bathed them with an appropriate dog shampoo, make sure to dry them thoroughly, either with a towel or a hairdryer on the cool setting if your dog doesn’t mind.
As you wait for the hair to dry, you can use this opportunity to check that your clipper blades are sharp and undamaged.
It is recommended to leave the clippers on for a bit so that your dog can get used to the sound if they have not been around them before.
Give your Shih Tzu lots of praise and a few little treats if they are looking a bit nervous.
Your dog should be relaxed because not only will it make your haircut much easier to do, but they will also be happy to get a haircut again in the future, saving a lot of time and stress.
When the hair is dry and the Shih Tzu is relaxed, brush their hair well until all knots are cleared. Now you are ready to have a look at the list of haircuts below to decide which one is best for you and your companion!
Different Shih Tzu Haircuts
Shih Tzus have a naturally beautiful coat that looks a lot like human hair in the way that it grows so long and silky, but sometimes you have to sacrifice the length in exchange for comfort and safety.
There are lots of ways to style and cut it and hopefully, this list will have a style that you like the sound of.
Puppy Cut
This is probably the most popular haircut that Shih Tzus get as it is adorable and easy to do. The hair is trimmed down to about one to two inches all over the body.
A bit more length is allowed on the face but still short enough to give the face a neat and clean look.
Another reason why the puppy cut is a popular choice is that it requires a lot less maintenance than other Shih Tzu haircuts as it is short, so you don’t need to brush them nearly as often.
You can leave the hair a bit longer than two inches if you prefer but keep in mind that you will have to do a bit more grooming to maintain it.
Long Ear Puppy Cut
This haircut is very similar to the puppy cut expect that the hair on the ears is kept long.
This is still a suitable haircut for the summer but gives a more elegant, feminine appearance which is great if your Shih Tzu is a bit of a princess.
Lion Cut
This haircut has the role of emphasizing the Shih Tzu’s face by creating a design that looks like a mane around their head.
The hair on the body is trimmed down to about one to two inches, similar to that of the puppy cut.
This cut requires a bit more maintenance than the puppy cut due to the longer hair around the head but if you don’t mind a trip to the groomer every four to six weeks or feel confident in your own skills, it’s a great characteristic haircut.
Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut does what it says on the tin and will make your Shih Tzu look like a little stuffed toy.
It is simple to do with the hair on the body and ears being trimmed down between two and two and a half inches long all over.
The hair on the face is kept a bit longer at about four inches.
With this haircut, you might need to spend more time grooming in order to prevent knots because the hair will have a bit of a puffy texture.
Practical Top Knot
There is nothing more annoying than having your hair constantly in your eyes, it blocks your eyesight and can lead to your eyes getting irritated with the contact – the same goes for Shih Tzus.
With this cut, the hair all over the body is trimmed but still kept relatively long, but the hair on the head is put into a top knot so that the eyes are nice and clear.
You can spice up the look with some bows, ribbons, or clips.
Having this hair out of their face will also help them cool down more effectively as their face will be much more breathable.
Top Knot Show Cut
This cut is mostly found on show dogs because it requires a lot of maintenance, so much that you will need to brush your Shih Tzu three times a day to keep it silky smooth.
If you don’t brush this haircut often enough, it can get tangled and matted which is asking for your Shih Tzu to get heatstroke.
The hair is kept long enough so that it falls past their feet which is why it needs to be groomed so frequently. A top knot is put in the hair at the top of the head to expose the face.
How to Keep Your Shih Tzu Cool in the Summer
As well as giving them an appropriate haircut that will help them regulate their body temperature, there are other things that you can do to help keep your Shih Tzu nice and cool during the summer but can be applied to all dog breeds.
You should never leave your dog alone in a car, even during the winter as your dog might get stolen.
During the summer, high temperatures will heat the inside of the car up to temperatures that will be fatal for your dog in just minutes.
Therefore, you should always plan your trips ahead, and if you need to stop by the shop or for an appointment, drop your dog off at home or with a trusted friend.
Ensure that your dog has access to clean water at all times.
There are lots of collapsible dog bowls that you can get for when you are out on walks which will keep your dog hydrated throughout the walk – essential in the summer!
On the subject of walks, do not take your dog out in the middle of the day as this is when temperatures will be highest.
Instead, take them out early in the morning or late in the evening as it will be cooler and much more enjoyable for both of you.
Pavements and roads can get extremely hot in the sun. If you can’t hold your hand to it due to it being too hot then it will definitely be too hot for your dog’s sensitive paw pads.
Try to avoid taking your dog out in the midday sun. Early morning or evening walks will be cooler and more pleasant for your best friend.
Walks are essential in order to keep your dog at a healthy weight as overweight and obese dogs will struggle much more in the heat.
If your dog has exposed skin, has a thin coat, or is light in color, they are at risk of getting sunburn. Luckily, there are dog sun creams available that you can apply to your pet before you take them out.
Stay in the shade as much as you can and do not do intense exercise when it is hot because your dog will overheat much quicker.
Keep things slow and stay aware of how your dog is acting.
If they show signs of heatstroke such as excessive panting, being unsteady, pink tongue, and lethargy then get them to a cool place as soon as possible, provide water, and call your vet.
Summary
Keeping your dog cool in the summer is critical for their welfare as it can lead to heart-breaking consequences if the appropriate steps are not taken.
It may be painful to say goodbye to your Shih Tzu’s long, luscious locks, but with their quality of life at stake, it is a no-brainer.
With these summer haircuts that can be done at home, your Shih Tzu will look fabulous as well as stay comfortable so that they can enjoy their summer like the rest of us.
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