Cross Breeds

How often do I need to have my Shih Tzu groomed to keep a "puppy cut" style?

We recently purchased a Shih Tzu puppy. He is about 11 weeks old. How often will I need to get him groomed to keep his hair in a "puppy cut" style? I have considered grooming him myself, but I don't know how to go about doing it. Do you use clippers or scissors? How do you trim around the eyes and face? Thanks for the help!

Public Comments

1. we don't take him to a professional groomer, we cut it ourselves. so for our shih tzu, we do it about mm...once a month. (only because it gets hot here, we do live in texas after all.) and congrats on the dog! *edit* we use regular scissors. the face is tricky, but you're just going to need a good hand and someone else to hold the dog still. we don't trim the face unless it really needs to be. like if hair is covering the eyes, then we have someone hold the head back, we pull the hair covering his eyes and cut part of it off (only to the point where he can see). the "mustache" is pretty easy...and the ears are too if you're careful enough. it's mostly the hair around the eyes though, just make it to where it sticks out and cut it off, but make sure it doesn't get in the dog's eye.
2. i have a shih tzu just over a year old i take her every 7 weeks no earlier than 6 weeks and i bathe her once every four weeks as well as comb her at least once a week to keep up with the matts
3. A puppy cut is usually done every 6 -8 weeks. Usually clippers are used on the body and blunt tipped scissors are used around the eyes.
4. Personally, I like a professional groomer for short cuts or for a long hair Shih-Tzu. The groomer also cleans anal gland, cuts toenails, pulls hair out of ears, etc. I would not dare try to trim hair around eyes myself or cut toenails. I am not "rich" but have always used a groomer. But since I do not like leaving them for 4-5 hours at a shop (in a cage) I currently I pay $10 (for two dogs)over the in-shop price for a mobile groomer to bathe and pretty up my two long-haired ShihTzus every 3 months. I brush them every couple of days. every few days.
5. First, wait a few weeks before you take your puppy to the groomer, he is too young now. The first visit to the groomer must be a short and pleasant one. Just a light clip, and a lot of play. Choose your groomer carefully, they are not all the same. After that, always go to the same groomer that your dog knows what to expect, and that you know what to expect. It's very important that your shih-tzu does not fear or hate the groomer because after that and for about 2 years, he will have to visit the place every 5 weeks to keep a clean puppy clip. After 2 years, the hair grows a Little slower and every 6 to 7 weeks will do. I had a lot of problems finding the right groomer for my shih-tzu, she still fears getting to the groomer's after some bad first experience. Please avoid grooming salons at the chain stores where the groomers change all the time. At home, remember to brush your dog every other day to avoid matting, and for the bath (every 2 weeks, use a good no-soap natural shampoo). Ask your groomer to use the same type and not a whitening shampoo. They make the beautiful colours of shih-tzu fade.