Tips On Giving A Shih Tzu Hair Cut

by Rebecca Simpson

The coat on a Shih Tzu dog can grow quickly and it starts growing right when the little guy is born. Shih Tzu dogs are energetic and nervous so if you feel you are up to the task of cutting your dog’s hair then go ahead, but be careful. If you want to have it done by someone then that choice is yours also. But whatever you do make sure you make the right choice for your dog as getting a Shih Tzu hair cut can be a pretty trying experience for any Shih Tzu pup.

First off you have to know a good age to start giving hair cuts and that can be anytime from around eight to ten weeks on up. Always start off easy with your Shih Tzu and get them used to hair cuts by starting out with little things at first and take your time doing it. Always mix in brushing and combing as the Shih Tzu generally likes brushing so it may relax them. Full cuts can probably start around sixteen weeks.

The Shih Tzu has human like hair that makes up its coat instead of fur like every other dog so when you are giving a Shih Tzu hair cut you need to keep that in mind.

The things that hurt you when you get your hair cut are even worse for your dog so if you have the scissors that are so dull that they pull hair out instead of cutting it, or if you have a habit of sharply yanking up the hair to cut it, you need to rectify these situations as they will cause your Shih Tzu to fear much needed grooming.

An area you want to always be sure you cut when you are doing your Shih Tzu hair cut is around the eyes. If you do not feel comfortable doing this then take your Shih Tzu to a professional groomer regularly to have the excess hair cut over the eyes.

Hair in the eyes is not only a nuisance for your Shih Tzu but it can cause infection so keep it maintained.

The basics of any Shih Tzu hair cut are pretty simple. Short in the summer and long in the winter always works. Short in the summer because long hair and heat do not mix well with the Shih Tzu and when you let it grow in the winter just make sure it does not get in the dog’s way when it walks or runs. A common practice among Shih Tzu owners is to put ribbons and bows in their dog’s hair and while this is cute, the dog does not always appreciate it.

Grooming your Shih Tzu is very important not only to its appearance but to its health as well. You can try cutting your dog’s hair yourself but you may want to watch a professional do it a few times first as there are little things you need to learn like how to keep your dog under control so you do not injure it while cutting its hair.

About the Author: Rebecca Simpson is an avid lover of the Shih Tzu and owns a popular website where you’ll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Shih Tzu. Among other topics there, you will find out more about Shih Tzu Hair Cuts plus a whole lot more.