The amazing Shih Poo can flaunt an array of adorable looks. Whether your pup is due for a seasonal change or you’re simply out of fresh ideas, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we discover the cutest, most popular Shih Poo haircuts that will hopefully inspire your pup’s next grooming session. Let’s get into it!
Shih Poo Haircuts: Introduction
The Shih Poo is a hybrid cross between the Shih Tzu and Toy or Miniature Poodle. As a hybrid breed, the Shih Poo inherits the best traits from both of its parents. One of their main appeals is, of course, the low-shedding Poodle coat, making these pups excellent pets for people with allergies.
Thanks to their mixed heritage, Shih Poos may lean on either side of their lineage. Some Shih Poos come with the super curly Poodle-inspired coat, whereas others take after the Shih Tzu parent with their long and silky hair. Or, some pups inherit a beautiful wavy combination coat.
Keeping the Shih Poo coat healthy and looking beautiful requires a fair bit of work. Namely, routine haircuts, regular brushing, nail trims, and so forth. In addition to that, longer hair and advanced haircuts may be harder to maintain. So, when you’re deciding on your Shih Poo’s next haircut, you’ll want to consider your dog’s lifestyle, climate, and how much time you’re willing to spend on your Dood’s daily maintenance.
Be sure to check out these two posts for tons more Doodle haircut pictures: Part 1 (Doodle Body Haircut Styles) and Part 2 (Doodle Haircut Variations).
Top 5 Shihpoo Haircuts
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time we take a look at some of the cutest pictures of Shih Poo haircuts. Use these as an inspiration for your pup’s next hair appointment!
Different groomers may have different ideas of what the following types of cuts are. It’s best to show your groomer a picture of exactly what you want to avoid any misunderstandings. If any of these pictures represent what you want your Shih Poo to look like, be sure to bookmark this page for easy access when dropping them off at the groomer!
Shih Poo Modern Cut
One of the most popular Shih Poo haircuts is the Shih Poo modern cut. A nod to their Poodle heritage, as it’s a common haircut in show Poodles. The modern cut is also known as the Scandinavian cut or European Cut.
The Shih Poo modern cut accentuates your dog’s natural features and follows the shape of the body. It’s typically very fluffy all over, but the head and tail are kept longer for that extra volume.
Shihpoo Lion Cut
The lion cut is definitely one of the more daring Shihpoo haircuts. It will take a big personality to pull this one off! Luckily, the Shih Poo has got what it takes. As you can probably guess, the lion cut will give your Dood a true lion-like look.
With the lion cut, the hair is clipped short on the body, while keeping it longer on the neck, chest, head, and paws. You can also leave poms on the tip of the tail and paws. It’s relatively easy to manage, as the hair on the body is kept quite short. However, don’t forget to routinely brush out any tangles and dirt from the mane.
Shihpoo Puppy Cut
The Shih Poo puppy cut is one of the more traditional and widely known haircuts. The puppy cut is a popular choice in Shih Tzus, Poodles, and Doodle mixes. And we can certainly understand why. It’s easy to cut, easy to maintain, and keeps your dog feeling cool and comfy in warm weather. Not to mention, the puppy cut really does make a dog look like a puppy.
With the puppy cut, the Shih Poo’s hair is usually kept short on the body, and longer on the face and ears. Everyone has their own interpretation of this cut so you can opt for varying lengths of hair on the head and body.
Shih Poo Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut has got to be one of our absolute favorite Shih Poo haircuts. It’s slightly more advanced and it requires a steady hand to achieve that signature teddy bear look. However, it’s sure worth the effort.
With the teddy bear cut, the hair on the face is rounded and fluffed up. You opt for either shorter or longer hair. But, to really emphasize the rounded face and ears, keep the face slightly longer than the rest of the body.
Shih Poo Practical Topknot
Inspired by the Shih Tzu parent, this Shih Poo haircut really is practical. Shih Poos look amazing with longer facial hair. However, it can also become quite a hassle if it obstructs your dog’s vision or keeps getting in its eyes and mouth. The practical topknot is an easy fix to that.
For the practical topknot, simply comb through your pup’s hair and gently pull it back into a pony. You can use either a clip or a bow to secure the topknot. As an added bonus, your Dood now has a cute hair accessory.
Shihpoo Grooming Tools
Here are 10 grooming tools you absolutely need to groom your Shih Poo at home.
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Tool #1:
Brush – A must have tool in your grooming kit is a good quality, durable pin or slicker brush. A brush is going to be your most used grooming tool so we recommend you invest in something that can manage the thick Shih Poo hair.
See also: Line Brushing: Prevent Your Doodle From Being Shaved (Video Tutorial)
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Tool #2:
Comb – Although you’ll get most of the job done with your brush, you’ll also be needing a sturdy metal comb to work through any stubborn knots and tangles. It’s also great for smaller and more delicate areas like the paws, face, and ears.
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Tool #3:
Dog Clippers – If you’ve decided to take things to the next level and give your Shih Poo haircuts at home, you’ll be needing a set of dog clippers. If you’ve got a good quality set, it will get the job done in no time. Check out our full guide on the best dog clippers here.
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Tool #4:
Scissors – In addition to clippers, you’ll also need a pair of dog-safe scissors to trim around the eyes, around and inside the ears, face, and paws. What makes them dog-safe is that they have rounded tips so you won’t accidentally hurt your pup.
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Tool #5:
Dog Shears – If you’re taking things seriously, you can’t miss out on dog shears, a.k.a thinning shears. This scissor-like tool is an absolute game changer. With these, we guarantee that your pup will never have that chopped look again.
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Tool #6:
Detangler Spray – In our humble opinion, a dog detangler spray is a must-have in any Shih Poo’s grooming kit. This will quite literally cut the time you spend on brushing in half. Use it right before brushing and see how it glides through any tangled parts. In fact, we’ve created a full guide on the best dog detangler sprays on the market.
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Tool #7:
Shampoo – A great dog shampoo will get your Shih Poo clean while nourishing their coat and skin. In this guide, you’ll find the best dog shampoos for various purposes and skin conditions.
See also: How to Bathe a Doodle: Step-by-Step Ultimate Guide + Things You’ll Need
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Tool #8:
Nail Clippers – To prevent overgrown nails and any complications that come with it, be sure to regularly trim your dog’s nails. You can either opt for a pair of scissor-like nail clippers or a nail grinder. Our ultimate guide on How To Trim Dog Nails has a ton of product recommendations, tips, and a step-by-step guide.
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Tool #9:
Ear Cleaning Products – Like other Doodles, Shih Poos are prone to ear infections. That’s because their floppy ears tend to block airflow, which creates the perfect breeding ground for bad bacteria. Be sure to check out our article Dog Ear Infection Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention for Doodles that has some great dog ear cleaner recommendations.
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Tool #10:
A Grooming Table – A dog grooming table makes your grooming sessions go by much quicker, as your pup will be safely attached to the leash harness. Your back will thank you, too! And it doesn’t have to be expensive, there are plenty of dog grooming tables in various price ranges, or you can opt for a DIY dog grooming table.
Shihpoo Grooming Tutorials
If you’re ready to take the next step and learn how to groom your Shih Poo from the comfort of your own home, you’ll find our easy-to-follow video grooming online course extremely helpful. It has over 75 minutes of video grooming demonstrations, where we show you basic haircutting techniques, walk through brushing, bathing, and drying, and much more.
Learn How to Groom Your Doodle At Home!
For DIY-minded Doodle parents who want to have more control over their Doodle’s grooming routine or just want to save some money in times of high inflation. Take matters into your own hands and learn to give your Doodle the exact haircut YOU want with this valuable online course! Learn More
How Often Do Shih Poos Need To Be Groomed?
As we mentioned earlier, maintaining the health and beauty of the Shih Poo coat requires time and effort. Obviously, staying on top of your Shih Poo’s grooming routine can be tricky when there are so many things to consider. How often do Shih Poos need to be groomed? How often should a Shih Poo be bathed? What about the nails?
To make things easier for you, here’s a sample Shih Poo grooming schedule that you might find helpful:
- Brushing: Aim to brush your Shih Poo daily, or at least 3 to 4 times a week.
- Nail Trimming: Every week or every other week.
- Hair & Ear Hair Trimming: Every 4 to 8 weeks.
- Ear Cleaning: Always dry your dog’s ears after they’ve been in the water. In addition to that, use a dog ear cleaner for weekly cleaning.
- Bathing: Before every haircut so usually every 4 to 8 weeks. You’ll also want to consider your dog’s lifestyle, skin conditions, and hair length. Some pups need to be bathed every week, others need to be washed less often.
Shih Poo Haircuts: Final Thoughts
When looking at all of those cute pictures of Shih Poo haircuts, it’s not easy trying to choose the right one for your dog. The great thing about the Shih Poo is that even if you’re not entirely happy with your dog’s haircut, you’ll only have to wait a few weeks to try something completely different the next time. But regardless of the Shih Poo haircut you choose, we’re sure that your pup will look completely adorable.
The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional groomer advice. Always seek the advice of your groomer, veterinarian, or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have.
Which Shih Poo haircut is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!