The Shih Tzu is one of those breeds where the grooming decision is really a lifestyle decision. That long, flowing double coat can be kept in full length with a topknot, or taken down to a practical puppy cut, and the right answer depends entirely on the owner's routine, not on what looks prettiest on the table. Add in a flat-faced structure that needs careful handling and delicate eyes, and you have a breed that asks for good judgement as much as good scissors. Here is how I work through one.
Coat and structure first
The Shih Tzu carries a long, dense double coat that grows continuously, so like other long-coated breeds it will matt to the skin without regular brushing. Under that glamorous coat is a sturdy little dog with a short, flat face. The breed is brachycephalic, which is the key handling fact for a groomer: these dogs can struggle with heat and airflow, so drying and restraint need real care. The Royal Kennel Club's Shih Tzu page sets out the breed's origins and the health points worth knowing before you start.
Safety note: With any brachycephalic breed, never blast high-velocity air at the face, keep the dog cool and calm, and watch for laboured breathing or overheating during drying. A flat-faced dog that is getting distressed needs a break, not a push to finish. Their airway does not have the margin a long-nosed dog's does.
Step one: brush out and assess
Line brush thoroughly and comb to the skin, paying attention to the classic Shih Tzu trouble spots: behind the ears, the armpits, the sanitary area, the tummy and the beard. If the coat is heavily matted, clip under the matting kindly rather than dragging a comb through a pelt. A full-coat Shih Tzu that has not been maintained is almost always a take-down job, and that is the welfare-correct call.
Step two: bath and gentle face wash
Bathe with a suitable shampoo, taking care around the face and eyes. The beard and face collect food, saliva and tear staining, so clean them gently by hand rather than letting shampoo run into the eyes. Condition to help the coat comb out, and rinse thoroughly. On a full-coat dog you are aiming for a clean, tangle-free coat that will dry straight.
Step three: dry with care
Dry the coat straight and fully, but with the brachycephalic caution above front of mind. Keep the nozzle moving, work airflow along the body rather than into the face, and never near the ear canal. A calm, cool, fully dried coat is what lets you either scissor a full coat neatly or set a clean puppy cut. Comb out completely before any clipper or scissor work.
Step four: choose the clip
This is the big decision, so agree it with the owner clearly.
- Full coat with a topknot. The traditional look: long body coat kept flowing, with the hair above the eyes tied up into a topknot so the dog can see and the eyes stay clear. Beautiful, but it demands daily brushing at home. Only recommend it to owners who will genuinely maintain it.
- Puppy cut. A short, even, practical length all over with a rounded face. Comfortable, low-maintenance and by far the most popular choice for pet Shih Tzus. This is what I set for most clients.
Be honest with owners: a full coat neglected for eight weeks arrives pelted, and that is uncomfortable for the dog. The puppy cut is not a compromise, it is often the kinder choice.
Step five: clipper and scissor the body
For a puppy cut, set your length with a comb attachment or a suitable blade, skimming smoothly with the lie of the coat. Clear the sanitary area and pads with a short blade. Then scissor the legs into clean columns, tidy the feet into neat rounds, and blend the body so there are no shelves or steps.
Step six: the face and eyes
The face is the most important and most delicate part of a Shih Tzu groom. Scissor a rounded, balanced face that keeps hair out of the eyes, and always use the corner of blunt-tipped or rounded scissors near the eyes, working slowly with the dog's head well supported. Clean the eye corners gently and keep the hair there short so it does not scratch the eye or trap moisture. Prominent eyes on a flat face are vulnerable, so any sign of redness, cloudiness or a sore, weepy eye is a reason to refer the owner to their vet promptly.
Finish the head to complement the clip: a soft round pet face, or a proper topknot if the owner is keeping full coat.
Frequently asked questions
Topknot or puppy cut, how do I advise the owner?
Base it on their brushing routine, not the look they fancy. A topknot and full coat need daily line brushing to stay comfortable. If the owner cannot commit to that, the puppy cut is the honest, kinder recommendation. Always match the clip to real-life maintenance.
What is the biggest safety consideration with a Shih Tzu?
The flat face. Keep high-velocity air off the muzzle, keep the dog cool, and watch closely for any breathing distress or overheating during drying. Give breaks freely. A brachycephalic dog has far less respiratory margin than a long-nosed breed.
How do I handle the eyes safely?
Use rounded or blunt-tipped scissors near the eyes, support the head firmly but kindly, and work slowly. Keep the hair around the eyes short so it cannot scratch the cornea. Refer any red, cloudy, weepy or sore eye to a vet rather than treating it as cosmetic.
Why does this breed stain around the face so much?
Tear and food staining collect in the beard and around the prominent eyes. Keep the area trimmed short and clean, and advise daily wiping at home. Persistent heavy staining can point to a tear duct issue, which is a veterinary matter.
Written from the salon floor by Lucy, City & Guilds Level 2 & 3 qualified groomer and owner of Fluffs, a one-to-one dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York. For more professional grooming guides, explore the Fluffs grooming blog.