Best Dog Clippers for a Shih Tzu – Doggy Hairdo Like a Pro

Shih Tzu, like the adorable dog in the featured image, are attractive and very striking little critters. Especially when they are well-groomed and clipped. Although there are plenty of professionals out there who will clip your Shih Tzu for you, this is not a service that everyone has the time or money for.

This is undoubtedly why you’ve clicked through to this post because you want to find out about the best dog clippers for Shih Tzu to suit you and your four-legged friend. If you feel a little apprehensive about it, that’s justified, but really, it is much easier than you may realise, if you take the right precautions, invest in a good set of clippers and blades and clip it carefully.

In the following post, we are going to discuss some of the most important factors you need to consider when choosing the best dog clippers for your Shih Tzu along with some hints and tips about how to clip your beloved pet safely to give them the best haircut.

Dog Clippers for a Shih Tzu – Summary Table

Cordless or Corded Clippers for your Shih Tzu?

When you look at the range of clippers available, you’ll notice that they can easily be divided into two main categories – cordless clippers and corded clippers.

To cord or not to cord. The decision between the two is a close one and will almost always come down to which suits your personal needs and your own dog best. Whereas some people prefer the freedom that cordless clippers offer them, others prefer the peace of mind they have from corded clippers that comes from knowing they are not going to run out of power halfway through clipping their dog.

Another aspect though that’s worth giving thought to is the fact the lead may be a distraction or cause problems for your dog if they are particularly anxious or excitable when trying to groom and clip their hair.

With the power in mind and how it’s supplied to the clippers, another important consideration is the cut and the speed at which it is carried out with a specific set of clippers. Cordless clippers normally cut at a slower speed than corded varieties, which means they are usually not the best choice for dogs with thicker coats.

However, as Shih Tzu doesn’t have an exceptionally thick coat, your dog will probably get on fine with a lower cutting speed set of clippers.

Another side of things to consider is the length you want to cut the fur to. A major downside of cordless clippers is most models do not provide the option for adjustable and switchable blades, and you only get a small number of settings.

This will be fine for you, if you find a cordless clipper with the lengths you need to cut your dog’s fur to. However, if you have more than one dog or are looking for a bit of variety, you need to look to corded dog clippers as you can switch the blades and combs to the sizes that best suit your needs and requirements.

Variable or Single Speed

Along with whether you should get cordless or corded clippers., you will be faced with the choice of variable or single speed. The speed refers to the rotation of the blades. You will find that most clippers are one or the other of two options – variable or single speed. The name’s self-explanatory.

With a variable speed set of clippers, they offer a choice of different speed settings, whereas a set of single-speed clippers just operate at one speed. Variable speed clippers exist mainly to give dog owners and groomers more variety and are great for working on coats that are thick, tangled or matted. Bear in mind the noise factor too, which could make the process harder. The best dog clippers for Shih Tzus should be ones that are as quiet as possible.

Although, it won’t do any harm to invest in one, if you have more than one type of dog, for Shih Tzu’s it’s not so much of an issue as they have a much easier to deal with coat. Particularly if you are in the good practice of brushing and washing it regularly.

If this will be your first attempt at grooming at home, then you’re best opting for a pair of single-speed clippers to start with. Even if you do intend on upgrading to a variable option, using a single speed will give you the practice you need at a foundational level that you can improve upon with the greater variety of options.

Different Kinds of Blades

Blades in clippers are made from various materials and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

There are two basic types of blades, skip tooth and fine tooth.

• Skip tooth blades have more spaces between their teeth, allowing for a greater amount of hair to pass through, making them ideal for dirtier or thicker coats. These can help to give your Shih Tzu a layered coat. They only feature a number on them denoting to the cut length that’s possible with the blade.
• Comparatively, fine tooth blades are better suited to dogs that have fine coats. So much better for Shih Tzu. They provide a smoother finish. Along with the size of the blade, they will also feature an F representing that they are finishing blades.

Common Shih Tzu Do’s

If you’re looking to cut your Shih-Tzu’s hair, you will want to know the best Shih Tzu hairstyles that are most common. There are three, Teddy Bear, Show and Puppy cuts.

• The Teddy Bear Cut produces a top knot but does not require as much maintenance as other cut options. You trim the face and head fur to either a little longer or just normal, but there you need to trim the body very short.
• The Show Cut features a striking and attractive long coat that flows easily with the top knot that Shih Tzus are famous for. This is the most maintenance-heavy cut if you are looking to keep it tangle-free.
• The Summer or Puppy Cut is achieved by trimming the dog’s hair to around 1 to 2-inches. This is one of the easiest ways to clip your dog and you only need to do it each 3 months. You need to be careful with Shih Tzu during the summertime because they could get a sunburn. Although there will be fewer tangles because it is shorter, you still need to brush it to keep the hair clean.

Whichever you find are the best dog clippers for Shih-Tzus, always make sure to perform careful cuts and have the image in your mind before you start. Give your playful pup a treat or two so they sit still during the clip, and remember to maintain a positive but firm attitude when clipping.

Our 8 Best Dog Clippers for a Shih Tzu

1. ? Wahl Multi Cut Mains Dog Clipper Set

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	WAHL Dog Clippers, Multi Cut Dog Cat Grooming Kit, Full Pet Coat, Low Noise Corded, Pets At Home,...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

There’s a lot to be said for single-speed clippers, especially for those not used to dog grooming. With a Shih Tzu, their coat is not particularly thick – so the Wahl single-speed (10w vibrating armature) is a great choice for your dog.

This reasonably priced clipper comes as standard with four attachment combs for variable-length cuts (0.8 mm to 13 mm)  – though additional add-ons such as nail clippers and scissors are also available.

The blades are high carbon steel blades which will remain sharp and will not rust. The clipper shouldn’t produce much heat either when in use.

There’s a taper lever at the side of the clipper for moving the blades to variable cutting lengths.

The clipper has a detachable blade, is easy to clean, and a sound choice for Shih Tzu grooming.

Wahl provides oil with this clipper, and it’s a good idea to use it as instructed to maintain the blade.

Another nice feature of this kit is the hard storage box it comes with. We keep ours in a cupboard under the stairs, and it’s good to know it’s sealed away to prevent damage over time.

Finally, it is worth noting that we found this clipper very quiet, which is a huge advantage when grooming any dogs of a nervous disposition. It’s a great clipper, the only downside is that the helpful instructional DVD is… on DVD – if you still own a player, great – but we wish they’d update for the internet age (though there are a few, somewhat dated, YouTube videos on their channels).

2. Masterclip Professional Shih Tzu Dog Clippers

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When we first heard of this Shih Tzu, Shihchon and Shihpoo clippers set we thought it may just be a marketing gimmick – but it’s actually a popular option with Shih Tzu owners.

Not only are they great clippers, but Masterclip also offers great breed-specific advice on the different haircut styles and which settings to use to achieve this.

The Masterclip includes three sets of high carbon German steel blades – 10F, 4F & 4 skip.

To explain these blade types – they give the example of the Teddy Bear cut.

The 10F blade is used around the head, feet and sensitive areas for precision trimming. The 4 skip would then be used for overall body trimming. Finally the 4F for the finishing touches and finer finish.

A great choice for your Shih Tzu, blades can be replaced and there’s oil included with the clippers for maintenance.

3. Andis Ultraedge AGC Super 2 Speed Brushless Clipper [UK]

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The Andis Ultraedge are great professional clippers, particularly once you’ve picked up some experience of trimming and cutting. These are not the cheapest out there, but many owners and groomers swear by them.

These clippers use an innovative brushless motor for improved torque and power to your cuts. The clippers run at two speeds, the lower setting of 3,000 strokes per minute and the higher at 3,800 strokes.

The blades are detachable and can be replaced over time.

These are also great, long-lasting, clippers if you have several different breeds and can cope with most hair types.

If you’re looking for the next level beyond starter clippers and want something more robust, with a powerful motor and long-lasting – these professional clippers are worth investigating.

It’s worth mentioning there are also oster clippers – though they can be surprisingly difficult to source, particularly for UK readers.

4. OMorc Low Noise Rechargeable Cordless Pet Clippers

OMorc’s Low Noise clippers are one of the most popular, low priced, clippers on the market. Don’t expect them to last forever, but as a starter pack – there’s a lot in the kit for the money.

The pack contains a battery-powered clipper with a rechargeable battery included, a cleaning brush, six comb attachments (3mm/6mm/9mm/12mm/ Left Oblique /Right Oblique) as well as a stainless steel scissors and comb.

5. PETKING – Dog Grooming Clippers for Pets

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	PetKing Premium - Dog Grooming Clippers for Pets - Cat Hair Trimmer Kit - Best Cordless Dog Clippers...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Another popular animal grooming kit as an alternative to the OMorc. There’s not a tremendous amount of difference except the addition of a few extra grooming bits such as nail clippers. Again, don’t expect the world for this price, but a good starter kit, albeit not long-lasting.

6. PetTech Professional Dog Grooming Kit

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	Pet Union Professional Dog Grooming Kit - Rechargeable, Cordless Pet Grooming Clippers & Dog...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

7. Wahl Battery Powered Paw Tidy Pet Trimmer

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	Wahl Paw Tidy Battery Operated Trimmer, Paw Trimmer for Pets, Battery Trimmer for Dogs, Dog Trimmer,...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

We’ve added these to the collection as people sometimes confuse clippers with trimmers. Depending on the style, some dog owners will use both – clippers for the heavy work, trimmers for the finer details.

This nimble little trimmer from Wahl helps trim those harder to negotiate spots such as the hairs between your dog’s paw pads (base of the feet).

The blade is very fine – so don’t use it for anything heavy-duty – but as a tidy up – it’s perfect.

8. GHB Dog Clippers + Trimmer

Another trimmer we rate well. The clipper is fairly standard but it’s a good trimmer.

Summary

We hope this article has helped you select the best clippers for your Shih Tzu as well as offering some practical tips and advice. Shih Tzu’s are a beautiful breed and look even better when well-groomed.

If you’re looking to groom your Shih Tzu at home then choosing the right grooming tools that will last a long time is essential.

Consider what’s best for the styles you are going for as well as the temperament of your dog. For example, if your dog is quite nervous, go for something that is quiet. Also, consider the best blade size for grooming a Shih Tzu, as several generic cutters will not be a great fit for their fur.

For more health and grooming tips – check out our dedicated grooming section. Don’t forget to comment below or start a conversation on our Facebook page.