Shih Tzu Haircut & Grooming Guide: Cuts, Eyes and Mats

A Shih Tzu’s coat never stops growing. Left alone, it reaches the floor, tangles behind the ears within days, and turns into tight mats that pull on the skin. That’s why Shih Tzus are one of the breeds our groomers see most often, and why owners search so much for the right haircut. The good news: with the right cut, a few minutes of brushing and a professional groom every month or so, a Shih Tzu is not hard to keep comfortable and tidy.

This guide covers the haircuts that actually work for Indian homes and weather, how to brush so mats don’t form, how to look after those big eyes, and how often to groom. It’s written from what our groomers deal with on home visits every week.

Understanding the Shih Tzu coat

Shih Tzus have a double coat: a soft undercoat and a long, silky outer coat. Unlike a Labrador, they don’t shed in clumps. Instead, loose hairs stay caught in the coat, which is exactly why they mat. Friction spots mat first: behind the ears, under the collar or harness, in the armpits, between the back legs and on the paws. A coat that looks fine on top can be matted solid underneath.

Choosing a Shih Tzu haircut

Most pet Shih Tzus are kept in a shorter trim rather than the long show coat. Here are the cuts we’re asked for most, and who they suit.

Bring a photo of the look you like to your groomer. A good groomer will tell you honestly if the coat’s condition allows it. If the dog is heavily matted, the kind choice is usually a short trim now and the longer style once it grows back.

Does a short cut harm the coat?

Shih Tzu hair grows continuously, so a trim to puppy or summer length is normal and grows back. What we don’t recommend is clipping right down to the skin, which removes the coat’s protection from sun and scratches. Keep at least a centimetre or so on the body.

Brushing: the 10 minutes that prevent mats

1. Use the right tools: a pin brush or slicker brush for the coat, and a metal comb (wide and fine teeth) to check for knots.
2. Brush in sections, to the skin: lift the hair with one hand and brush the layer underneath, working from the skin outwards. Brushing only the top layer is the most common reason a “brushed” Shih Tzu still mats.
3. Finish with the comb: if the comb glides through to the skin everywhere, you’re done. If it catches, work that knot out gently with your fingers and the end teeth of the comb.
4. Check the hidden spots: ears, armpits, collar line, belly, inner thighs, tail base and between the toes.

For a puppy cut, brush 3 to 4 times a week. For longer styles, brush every day. Never bathe a matted coat without brushing first: water tightens mats and makes them harder to remove.

Eye care and tear stains

Shih Tzus have large, prominent eyes and a short face, so hair around the eyes and the folds by the nose collects moisture. That leads to the reddish-brown tear stains many owners notice.

• Wipe under the eyes once a day with a soft cloth or cotton pad dampened with clean water, and dry the area.
• Keep the hair at the inner corners of the eyes trimmed short. Ask your groomer to do this at every visit; don’t use sharp scissors near the eyes yourself.
• Use a top knot or a short face trim so hair doesn’t poke into the eyes.
• See a vet if the eyes are red, cloudy, swollen or have yellow or green discharge, or if your dog keeps squinting or pawing at an eye. Heavy, sudden tearing can also have a medical cause worth checking.

Ears, paws and hygiene areas

Ears: Shih Tzus grow hair inside the ear canal, which can trap wax. Your groomer will clean the outer ear at each visit. A bad smell, redness or frequent head-shaking means a vet visit, not more cleaning.

Paws: hair between the pads gets slippery on tiled floors and holds mud in the monsoon; keep it trimmed level with the pads.

Nails: trim every 3 to 4 weeks; if you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long.

Hygiene trim: a short trim around the rear and belly keeps the coat clean between baths.

Heat, humidity and the Shih Tzu face

Shih Tzus are a flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed, so they handle heat less well than many dogs. In Indian summers and humid monsoon weeks, a shorter body trim helps them stay comfortable, and the coat dries faster after a bath or a wet walk. Damp hair left close to the skin can lead to itchy, irritated patches, so dry the coat fully, right down to the skin, after every bath. A dryer on a cool or low-heat setting is safest. Grooming sessions should be calm and not too long; good groomers give flat-faced dogs short breaks.

How often to groom a Shih Tzu

For a side-by-side look at other breeds, see how often you should groom your dog or cat. If you’re budgeting, our dog grooming cost guide for India breaks down what a full haircut usually costs.

Grooming at home vs a salon for a Shih Tzu

Many Shih Tzus are nervous in salons: unfamiliar dogs, loud dryers and waiting in a kennel. A home groom keeps them in a space they know, with you nearby, and the groomer can take breaks whenever your dog needs one. That calmer setting often means a neater finish, because a relaxed dog stands still for the scissor work around the face and feet. In Bangalore, that’s grooming a Shih Tzu at home rather than a car ride across the city.

Shih Tzu grooming FAQs