Peculiarities of Shih Tzu appearance – not all shapes suit this breed
Sometimes after a haircut Shih Tzu owners can not contain surprise: the dog seems to be the same, but something is wrong – the shape of the body is strange, the muzzle seems to have shrunk, and the paws look short and “disproportionate”. The reason is simple – this is a breed with a very special anatomy, and if you do not take into account these features, even the most neatly trimmed hair can spoil the appearance.
The Shih Tzu has a rounded skull, a flattened muzzle, a large head relative to the body and tightly set eyes. When they are cut “like a poodle” or “short and comfy” it emphasizes disproportion. Cutting a Shih Tzu without understanding the breed standard makes the dog visually more massive, disproportionately square or too “flat”. And it’s not the cute little dog the owner is used to.
Why it is important to work with the structure of the wool
The Shih Tzu has a thick, heavy coat with an undercoat that requires a specific cutting technique. If you simply shorten the length, the coat rises, “fluffs up” and spoils the silhouette. What’s more – at the wrong angle, the wool starts to pucker, pile up or create a “ruffle” effect.
The correct shih tzu haircut is, first of all, an understanding of the shape. It is necessary to be able to work with volume: somewhere to remove, somewhere to leave, to make soft transitions, to profile the hair, so that it lay down beautifully even after a walk. Special attention to the muzzle: a Shih Tzu should not be left with an open “face” without working out the area around the eyes. Otherwise the look will be harsh or even a little “comical”, which is not typical for the breed.
What a “proper” shih tzu haircut looks like and who to trust
The ideal haircut for a Shih Tzu is a balance between comfort, anatomical conformity and breed style. This doesn’t always mean long hair – shorter options are also acceptable, but only if done by a master who understands what he’s cutting and why. A Shih Tzu should look soft, neat, with pronounced eyes, a round head shape and flowing body lines.
In V.O.G DOG SALON groomers undergo special training according to breed standards, know how to work with complex hair and never cut “as-is”. At us shih tzu haircut is a complex process of creating an image. And even after a short haircut your pet will look harmonious, cute and pedigree, not just “under the machine”.
Conclusion
Standard solutions don’t work in cutting this breed, and every centimeter counts. At V.O.G DOG SALON, we approach the Shih Tzu not as a “little dog with a long coat” but as a breed with its own style, anatomy and personality. Our groomers create a look that emphasizes the beauty of the animal, keeps you comfortable and gives you pleasure from every look at your Shih Tzu. That is why after a haircut in our salons your Shih Tzu will look not “weird” but flawless.
