Shih Tzu Teddy Bear cut vs Puppy Cut: Which one is better?

A Shih Tzu puppy cut trims the coat to one short, even length all over, while a teddy bear cut keeps the face round and full and leaves the legs a little fluffier. The puppy cut is the easier choice if you want the lowest-maintenance coat, especially in summer; the teddy bear cut gives a softer, cuddlier look but needs a bit more brushing. Both usually need a trip to the groomer every 4 to 8 weeks.

Shih Tzu, which is translated to “little lion,” is far from the characteristics of a lion. The breed is widely known for its calm nature and very affectionate temperament, which allows them to be a great companion at home and an incredible dog for a family.

They enjoy short walks and play, and they can be alert little watchdogs that bark at strangers. They appreciate being pampered, and they especially need help with one thing—grooming. (We cover feeding them in our guide to the best wet dog food for Shih Tzu.)

They have a variety of grooming styles that fit their look, and a skilled groomer makes a big difference. However, the owner still needs to keep up with brushing between appointments. So, if you have a Shih Tzu, you must choose a style that best suits your dog’s lifestyle.

If you cannot brush a long coat daily, a shorter trim is the way to go. Shaving right down to the skin isn’t recommended, though, as it leaves the skin exposed to sunburn and irritation. If you want a low-effort hairstyle that makes grooming easier and keeps your dog comfortable, there are two popular options: Teddy Bear cut vs Puppy Cut.

The Shih Tzu Teddy Bear Cut

The Shih Tzu Teddy Bear hairstyle is similar to the puppy cut in that the body is clipped to a fairly even length, giving a uniform and smooth finish. The difference is in the face and legs: the hair on the head is left longer and scissored into a round, full shape, and the legs are kept fluffier, like a teddy bear.

The teddy bear cut is also very popular for curly-haired pups such as a poodle, a Goldendoodle, or labradoodle (see our list of curly-haired dog breeds). Dogs with curly or long, fine hair mat easily, so a neat, shorter style is a priority.

This hairstyle is fairly easy to maintain, which is why it is famous among the poodle or poodle-mix community. The longer hair around the face and legs does need brushing a few times a week to stop tangles, and most dogs go back to the groomer every four to eight weeks. 

The Shih Tzu Puppy cut

The name of the hairstyle would make you think it’s meant particularly for puppies only, but this is a misnomer. It’s actually a simple cut for dogs of any age that makes them look younger and more like a puppy.

This is similar to the Teddy Bear Cut because of its evenly smooth look due to the overall flat and uniform lengths. This trim may be simple but the coat of the dog looks much smoother and even with this haircut.

This haircut is appropriate for any dog with somewhat longer hair characteristics. The hairstyle has a lot of supporters across the world. It doesn’t disappoint when it comes to making dogs appear beautiful, while also keeping the coat from matting and tangling. If you want to easily detect ticks and fleas on your dog, go with this haircut!

Shih Tzu Teddy Bear cut vs Puppy Cut: Which is better?

Both the Shih Tzu Teddy Bear cut and the Shih Tzu puppy cut give off a fluffy and cute look. Every puppy with these haircuts is sure to catch anybody’s eyes and make them melt. In the Teddy Bear haircut, however, the leg hairs are longer than the body.

The head, on the other hand, is rounded and has a fuller look with a Teddy Bear cut, and the legs are left looking fluffier than in the Puppy cut. The Puppy cut is the easier of the two to look after at home and keeps your dog cooler during the summer months, while the Teddy Bear cut gives a softer, rounder look in exchange for a little more brushing.

In practice, both cuts grow out at the same rate, so most Shih Tzus need a trim every 4 to 8 weeks whichever style you choose. Pick the Puppy cut if easy care is your priority, and the Teddy Bear cut if you love the cuddly look and don’t mind brushing the face and legs a few times a week.

How to cut a Shih Tzu Teddy Bear Cut?

In case you want to do this yourself, start with a bath and brush out every tangle first – clippers snag on mats and can pull or cut the skin. Then use clippers with a ½-inch comb attachment to cut down the hair on the body. Cut with a downward motion in the back and sides of the body. You must lift the dog’s front legs up to gain easier access to its stomach and trim it.

The legs are left fluffy but shaped well with grooming scissors to make them appear as if they are teddy bear legs. You can switch to a ¾-inch comb attachment for the clippers to trim its neck, then scissor the head into a round shape. Use blunt-tipped scissors around the face and eyes, and keep your dog still – ask a helper to hold them if needed. 

How to cut a Shih Tzu Puppy Cut?

A cute and easy-to-maintain hairstyle to get on your dog is the puppy cut and you just need to clip down the body hair’s length. You can use a comb attachment for a fluffy look on your dog. Just trim the body and make sure you clip right above the tail and, in a downward motion, clip the legs.

If there are any patches of excess fur, trim it out and shape it, particularly the paws. Tidy any long hairs that are left with scissors. Comb the dog’s bangs and carefully trim any hair that falls into their eyes, keeping the scissor tips pointing away from the eyes. If your dog won’t keep still, leave the face to a professional groomer.

Conclusion

The Teddy Bear and Puppy cuts will allow your dog to look fresh and clean after every grooming session. The Puppy cut is the easier, cooler option, while the Teddy Bear cut has a rounder, fluffier face and legs – but you can’t go wrong with either because both are a joy to look at! Schnauzer owners can find a similar style in our guide to the teddy bear Schnauzer haircut.