A dog doesn’t have to be a Shih Tzu in order to get a Shih Tzu puppy cut. This is a popular choice for many longhaired breeds including the Havanese, the Yorkshire Terrier, the Lhasa Apso and even the Old English Sheepdog. The ideal Shih Tzu puppy cut (or puppy cut for any breed) is to mimic what a seven or eight week old puppy of that breed looks like. The cut is very close to the body and is done with scissors or electric clippers.

You need to watch a professional clipping a dog in a Shih Tzu puppy cut before attempting this on your own. This is a pretty intensive clip, although maintaining it is pretty easy provided you keep a daily grooming routine. There are also videos and DVDs about Shih Tzu grooming and clipping you might want to study. Keep taking your Shih Tzu to the groomer about every six weeks, at least.

A professional dog groomer best accomplishes The Shih Tzu puppy cut. They can easily be found now at large pet store chains and near veterinary offices. You need experience clipping dogs – or at lest trimming hedges – before attempting to tame the Shih Tzu coat. After watching a few times, you might be able to get the gist of trimming, but Shih Tzu grooming like this is tricky. Dogs are pretty forgiving creatures, but Shih Tzus tend to be vainer than most and will not forget bad haircuts.

Your Shih Tzu will have to return to the groomer every four to six weeks to keep the fast growing coat under control. Shih Tzu coats also seem to be a magnet for every particle of dirt around. Fortunately, Shih Tzus would rather perch in your lap than romp over hill and dale. They get miserable when their coats are matted, which can easily happen unless you take some time to brush your Shih Tzu every day.

To achieve the Shih Tzu puppy cut hold the clippers like a pencil in your dominant hand. This may feel awkward at first, but gets easier with practice. Hold as lightly, yet as firmly, as you can and sweep over the dog’s coat. Leave the face for scissors and get someone to hold the dog if necessary. Smile and act as casual as possible to keep the dog calm. Scissors are used for the coat, but not for the nails. You need a guillotine-style nail clipper to make an efficient, safe cut on the nail.

Scissors can be used to trim any uneven areas and are especially recommended for delicate areas like the face and anal region. Lots of people like to leave a pageboy or pudding bowl cap on the dog’s head for a cute effect that balances the look of the trim Shih Tzu puppy cut well. Afterwards, give your dog a special treat and a break afterwords. Remember, this gets easier the more times you do it!

This author is currently writing a series of e-books on dog care, including Shih Tzu grooming. Lovers of this bred can be found collecting everything connected with Shih Tzus, including Shih Tzu grooming supplies.