Shih Tzu, which is translated to “little lion,” is far from the characteristics of a lion. The breed is widely known for its calm nature and very affectionate temperament, which allows them to be a great companion at home and an incredible dog for a family.
They can spend their days entertaining themselves by chasing little creatures like squirrels around or barking loudly at strangers. They appreciate being pampered and taken for walks. They are quite the little independent character, but they mostly need help with one thing—grooming.
They have a variety of grooming styles that fit their look, but whether they look good or not depends on the groomer. However, the owner needs to prioritize the maintenance of their hair. So, if you have a Shih Tzu, you must choose a style that best suits your dog’s lifestyle.
If you cannot tend to their grooming daily, you should shave all their hair off and give them the shaved look. On the other hand, if you want a low-effort hairstyle that makes grooming easier and have your dog comfortable, then there are two options for your dog’s hair: Teddy Bear cut vs Puppy Cut.
The Shih Tzu Teddy Bear Cut
The Shih Tzu Teddy Bear hairstyle is very different from the puppy cut but is similar because of how they are both cut. An overall cut around the whole body is made, providing the hair with a uniform and smooth finish.
They usually differ with regard to whom the hairstyles are made for. Puppy cuts are done to any other dog, but Teddy Bear cuts are more inclined for curly-haired pups such as a poodle, a Goldendoodle, or labradoodle, etc. This is so because dogs with curly and tangled-up hair are more prone to manges, so a neat look is a priority.
This hairstyle does not need much effort to maintain, and so it is famous among the poodle or poodle-mix community. If you want your dog to look well-kept and only go to the groomers every six or eight weeks, then this hairstyle is the one for your buddy.
The Shih Tzu Puppy cut
The name of the hairstyle would make you think it’s meant particularly for puppies only, but this is a misnomer. It’s actually a simple cut that’s recommended for dogs to help them look younger and more like a puppy.
This is similar to the Teddy Bear Cut because of its evenly smooth look due to the overall flat and uniform lengths. This trim may be simple but the coat of the dog looks much smoother and even with this haircut.
This haircut is appropriate for any dog with somewhat longer hair characteristics. The hairstyle has a lot of supporters across the world. It doesn’t disappoint when it comes to making dogs appear beautiful, while also keeping them away from mange ganders and hair becoming entangled. If you want to easily detect ticks and fleas on your dog, go with this haircut!
Shih Tzu Teddy Bear cut vs Puppy Cut: Which is better?
Both the Shih Tzu Teddy Bear cut and the Shih Tzu puppy cut gives off a fluffy and cute look. Every puppy with these haircuts is sure to catch anybody’s eyes and make them melt. In the Teddy Bear haircut, however, the leg hairs are longer than the body.
The head, on the other hand, was rounded up and has a fuller look with a Teddy Bear cut. The legs on the Teddy Bear cut are left looking fluffier than in the Puppy cut. While the Puppy cut can make it easier for you to handle your dog during the summer months, a Teddy Bear cut lingers longer so you don’t need to visit the groomers often.
Therefore, if you choose a Puppy cut over a Teddy Bear haircut, you are most likely to pay a visit to the groomers every 2 weeks. This is more often as opposed to the 3 weeks guarantee of the Teddy Bear haircut.
How to cut a Shih Tzu Teddy Bear Cut?
In case you want to do this yourself, you can use a ½-inch clipper with which you can cut down the hair on the body. Cut with a downward motion in the back and sides of the body. You must lift the dog’s front legs up to gain easier access to its stomach and trim it.
The legs are left fluffy but shaped well with the help of the same scissors to make them appear as if they are teddy bear legs. You can switch to a comb attachment with ¾ inch for the clippers to trim its neck.
How to cut a Shih Tzu Puppy Cut?
A cute and easy-to-maintain hairstyle to get on your dog is the puppy cut and you just need to clip down the body hair’s length. You can use a comb attachment for a fluffy look on your dog. Just trim the body and make sure you clip right above the tail and, in a downward motion, clip the legs.
If there are any patches of excess fur, trim it out and shape it, particularly the paws. Whatever is left on the hair that is long, just take some scissors and snip snip! Comb the dog’s bangs and use the shears to trim any hair that acts as obstacles to their eyes. Feel free to experiment with this.
Conclusion
The Teddy Bear and Puppy cuts will allow your dog to look fresh and clean after every grooming session. Even though Teddy Bear cuts are shorter than Puppy cuts, you can still choose either because both are a joy to look at!
