Dogs have always been coined as "the man's best friend." True enough, their love and affection to humans have always been incomparable!
Take the case of Shih Tzu! This breed has been one of the favorites not only for their adorable appearance but also for their lively and friendly personality.
The gorgeous and long coat of Shih Tzus has been their distinguishing feature which significantly contributes to their popularity. However, this type of coating requires a lot of maintenance to the point that they need to be brushed daily, bathed frequently, and clipped regularly.
To address the problem, some dog owners tend to keep the coat short to reduce the amount of maintenance needed, thus losing the silky appearance of Shih Tzus.
Others are taking the cheaper alternative, which is grooming them at home.
Well then, if you decide to push through home grooming, a high-quality hair clipper is needed to get the job done! Keep on reading as we unfold some useful tips and helpful guides in choosing the best dog clippers for Shih Tzu.
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Top 3 Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzu
Here's a comprehensive review of the best dog clippers for Shih Tzu! One of these might be the perfect tool that works best for your most precious furry friends!
Different Types of Shih Tzu Clippers
Despite the presence of a brush and a pair of high-quality grooming scissors, an electric dog clipper is essential to groom your Shih Tzu at home correctly. The type of clipper will depend significantly on your preference and your grooming requirements, such as the type of cuts. Here are the basic kinds of clippers that you can use in grooming your Shih Tzu.
1. Corded Clippers
The corded dog clippers are popular among professionals and DIY groomers due to their durable design and sturdy construction, good enough to cut various types of coats. They come with different-sized blades and speed settings for easier swapping and customizable options.
2. Cordless Clippers
The cordless clippers are famous among groomers who hate limited movements and awkward control when grooming. They come with limited blade lengths and lightweight battery packs for easy grabbing and less hand fatigue.
3. Pet Trimmers
The pet groomers are perfectly designed for grooming and touching-up areas around the face, paws, and tail. They are mostly battery operated and works similarly with the cordless types.
With the massive assortment of dog clippers available, cutting power and comfort should always be the top priorities. Cutting power involves the device's torque and strokes per minute to achieve optimum power and speed. On the other hand, comfort consists of the reduction of noise and heat to make dogs feel a lot more comfortable when being groomed.
Other essential features include a comfortable grip, balanced weight, strong build, and stylish design.
Now that you know the different types of clippers available, it's time to take a look at the best clippers that fit perfectly for your Shih Tzu!
Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzu - Detailed Review
The Andis ProClip AGC2 is a fantastic "go-to" clipper for grooming thick-coated dogs such as Shih Tzu. It is built with substantial torque and cutting power technology for optimum grooming performance. Despite the low SPM (strokes per minute) of about 2700, this clipper can cut through any coat type without creating too much friction.
It comes with a cool-running smart design that eliminates any fans and vents that can be clogged with hair. The adjustable two-speed function is beneficial for cutting through the thicker coats. As a bonus, this clipper produces less sound for a relaxed and quiet running experience that can be a life-saver for sensitive dogs.
Additionally, the Andis ProCLip AGC2 has extra comb attachments that can be easily used in various ways. Its detachable blade design is perfect for easy changing and cleaning.
To ensure the safety for users, the clipper has a locking switch to prevent any accidental shut-off. Its shatterproof housing also protects against falls and breaks.
Furthermore, the 14-feet long and heavy-duty cord of this clipper allows flexible movements around the animals and the equipment. The Andis ProClip AGC2 doesn't come with any fancy grips; instead, it is equipped with a round barrel-shaped body to ensure a wider grip. The lack of any LED lights reduces distraction among pets.
Lastly, its availability in various colors will perfectly fit your personality and preference.
The only flaw of this clipper is its weight since it weighs a bit more than most clippers.
But with frequent use, this may no longer be bothersome and an issue to users.
- Powerful torque
- Two-Speed options
- Quiet and cool performance
- Durable and heavy-duty
- Low maintenance
- Heavier than other clippers
- Low-quality combs and accessory inclusions
The Oster A6 is a reboot of the classic A5 which is a crowd’s favorite, especially among veteran groomers. Its upgrade includes reduced overall weight, reduced noise, and a nice looking and comfortable grip.
Other than these inclusions, this clipper comes with versatile three-speed options such as low (up to 3100), medium (up to 3600), and high (up to 4400), which allows easy alterations of the SPM (strokes per minute). This allows cutting through the thick coat without worrying about getting stuck and creating too much heat.
Additionally, Oster A6 clipper includes a detachable cryogenic blade that is compatible with other model's blade and guide combs. The blades are professionally produced using high-quality carbon steel materials and handcrafted to achieve rigorous standards of precision and performance.
As mentioned above, the Oster A6 is way lighter than other models making it easier to grab and handle. Its soft-grip material even helps in reducing heat and fatigue. This makes grooming all day a lot comfortable and fun.
Previous models from Oster tend to be noisy, causing problems with sensitive dogs.
The inclusion of vibration isolators around the clipper’s motors minimizes this issue by absorbing excess vibrations and noise. However, these additions are not sufficient enough, thus, making noise and heat still a significant concern among its users.
- Powerful cutting power
- Three-speed functions
- High-quality cryogenic blades
- Light and comfortable grip
- Ergonomically designed
- Runs a bit hotter and noisier than other clippers
The Wahl Arco is a tried-and-true clipper that can powerfully shave down small to big dog breeds. It is precise and lightweight enough to trim hard to reach spots, including the dog's face, ears, and paws. This gives the groomers a smooth and comfortable grooming experience.
Its 5-in-1 fine blade inclusions are adjustable, thus offering a very convenient variety when it comes to cutting lengths. These blades also integrate a quick change cutting system and a versatile feature which allows fitting to different models of Wahl clippers.
When it comes to the design, the Wahl Arco is made with a slim and lightweight feature that ensures comfort while reducing fatigue on the hand and wrist. It comes with a rechargeable battery with 80-minute run time and a 75-minute charge time.
Lastly, its design enables easy cleaning with a no-maintenance motor for hassle-free grooming.
As an added appeal, this clipper comes with a stylish design. It is available in various colors to perfectly fit your personality and style. The sturdy looking package also includes a soft storage case to ensure protection against breakage.
This, however, is not recommended for dogs with heavier coats as it may lead to clogging. As a remedy, you can have the heavy coat trimmed first before clipping.
- 5-in-1 blade for easy clipping
- Slim and lightweight
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Lesser running time
- Not recommended for heavier coats
Shih Tzu Grooming 101
1. Shih Tzu Coats
Shih Tzus have double coats - an inner layer and a longer outer layer. Instead of fur, they are considered to possess much longer hair which can even reach the floor. Their hair also tends to be thinner than fur when it comes to texture.
A Shih Tzu's proper coat should be luxurious, long, dense, and flowing unless you cut it short. However, even at a shorter length, it still should be kept dense and healthy. Shih Tzus are considered to be low-shedding breeds, and slight waves are sometimes observed on their coat.
2. Shih Tzu Matting
Shih Tzus are also prone to matting which is more likely to develop within the friction areas. These areas refer to those frequently rub by your dogs: between the legs, around the collar, under the ears, or around the butt.
The matting that occurs can be brushed out or separated with the hands. However, some matting tends to be too thick, and the need to shave them out is the only solution left.
3. Prepping Before Clipping
Prepping your Shih Tzu prior to clipping can make the job a lot easier. Be sure to bath, brush, and dry your dog before diving right into the grooming process.
This will help loosen any mats present, giving your dog a more beautiful and "fluffed" look. Prepping the dogs will provide clippers with an easier time to get through the thick coat for an easy and quick grooming session.
Having a quick bath will also remove dirt, grease, and oil present, which will eventually add friction to the blades and motor of the clippers. This, in turn, will create more heat, thus reducing the life of your precious grooming devices.
4. Popular Cuts for Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu can have different cuts depending on your preference. Some of the basic, yet impressive, cuts that you can consider were as follows:
Puppy Cut
This is a popular and low-maintenance haircut that can look differently depending on the groomer. Generally, the dog is trimmed using an even length while leaving some layers of hair on the side, legs, and paws. This layering gives area for standing-out; thus, more cuteness in the dog's appearance is observed. Also, the hair on the dog's face is being rounded and fringed to minimize matting and tangling.
The puppy cut looks good on both puppies and adults. Others call the puppy cut as summer cut, especially when the hair is cut very short.
Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut is the same as that of the puppy cut when it comes to the body. The difference lies in the hair around the face which is usually trimmed to be rounded and fluffy, thus giving a stuffed animal or a teddy bear appearance. It is a popular haircut that is liked by most dog owners.
Practical Top Knot
This is the causal version of the traditional Shih Tzu hairstyle wherein the body is kept longer than most haircuts. The top hair is gathered up and secured with a ribbon, tie, or clip keeping the hair out of the dog's eyes and mouth.
The top knot is a neat and attractive style, however, it requires frequent brushing of the long and flowing coat.
There are other cute styles for your Shih Tzu. You can mix and match the elements used in traditional haircuts to come-up with more unique variations that will perfectly suit your dogs.
In Conclusion
Shih Tzu is still a popular breed for home pets despite their high-maintenance. Good thing, grooming pets at home is now an option to ensure a high value of savings. How? It's simple - having the basic grooming knowledge and proper grooming tools!
With these considerations, knowing which the best dog clipper is for Shih Tzu is a must!
And with that, may I present to you my top pick: the Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper!
- ROTARY MOTOR: The trimmer's powerful two-speed rotary motor clipper with 120V voltage performs on par with that of pros. It can swiftly trim thick animal hair..Hertz : 60 Hz. Strokes per MinuteMAX 3400 SPM.
- COMPATIBLE: For all livestock and breeds, the trimmer is ideal. Additionally, it has an animal-compatible enclosure with a sturdy frame and detachable drive cap.
- LOW NOISE: The animal cutter makes relatively little noise while operating. Low noise won't frighten your pet, and you'll be able to quickly and easily trim its coat.
- DETACHABLE BLADE: The trimmer comes with a detachable blade that can be removed & put back easily. The design makes it easier to clean & change the blade.
- USAGE IS SIMPLE: ON = ON and OFF = OFF By turning the clipper on, a fresh blade will be applied. Turn the clipper off before removing the blade. The 14' heavy-duty cable makes it easier to move around equipment and animals.
Why? This model is an all-in-all device that will give you the best bang for your money! It is professionally-grade that can do various tasks for different breeds without worrying about your dog's safety and welfare.
I guarantee you that once you give this clipper a try, then you'll never look back and try something else!
Hey there, I’m Ruby Smith, founder of Pet So Fun, and I’m here to provide you with useful information about your precious pet. All pets deserve the best care, don’t they? But not all pet owners have access to the right products and tips for their pets. And the central core of my work here is to change that.