5 Lhasa Apso Haircuts (With Grooming Tips)
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
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One of the things that first attracted you to your Lhasa Apso was likely their long, lustrous coat. It’s one of the things that makes the breed so unique and special. No matter what your reason is for adoring this exceptional dog, coat care is a must.
If you own a Lhasa Apso or are thinking about getting one, this article can help you out a little bit in this category.
The 5 Lhasa Apso Haircuts
1. Lion Cut
The lion cut is exactly what it sounds like. It is a haircut that gives your pup a lion’s mane. It is a very adorable look, especially for those fiery, independent little Lhasa Apsos that love to run the show.
Not only does this give you a lot of room to enjoy the Lhasa Apso’s naturally long coat, but you don’t have to worry about any bodily maintenance. The hair simply frames the face around the neck and lets the body flow freely.
2. Puppy Cut
As you might be able to pick up by the name, this haircut gives your pup a youthful look. It keeps the hair short around the body, keeping maintenance super easy. However, the groomer leaves the hair slightly long and shapely around the face to create an innocent, adorable look with a coat that’s easy to manage.
3. Teddy Bear Cut
If you want to give your pup a super adorable haircut, consider the teddy bear cut. This haircut was designed to make your long-haired little pup look like a small stuffed animal. You won’t be able to be mad at your pup for the foreseeable future.
If you like your pup’s coat a little longer but want to keep it cool and trimmed, this is a very good hairstyle to choose as it is roughly 2 inches in length.
4. Summer Cut
The summer cut is a short, stylish hairdo that looks great year-round—despite its name. It gives your dog a short coat on the body, but leaves the fur long on the tail and evenly trims the fur around the face.
The summer cut is extremely easy to manage for any person and looks adorable to boot. Because it gives the ears a pom-pom-like look, we could easily throw on some bows or other hair accessories.
5. Show Cut
If you’re up for the challenge of maintenance, you could also get your pup a show cut. If you’ve ever seen a Lhasa Apso at any show, you know that their beautiful silky coats drape to the ground.
As you can imagine, due to the texture and thickness of their fur, this can be very hard to keep tangle-free. Daily grooming is a must. You will need a heavy-duty brush to get through the coat and keep it shiny and neat.
Some will require multiple brushing sessions in a day with this particular hairstyle. However, if you have a Lhasa Apso in the show or just want to try a classic hairdo for your pooch, you can always cut it if you can’t manage it.
Many Other Hairstyles Exist
Groomers are getting very creative now. While there are some basic cuts for a Lhasa Apso, groomers also use several individual little tricks and looks to spruce up a boring haircut you’ve seen 1,000 times.
Some groomers add bow ties, hair bows, clips, hair ties, braids, you name it. Just look at sites like Pinterest for inspiration.
Taking Your Lhasa Apso to the Groomer
If you take your Lhasa Apso to the groomer, you’re going to want to know what to look for before you even schedule your first appointment. Your dog will get to know their groomer similarly to the way they get to know their vet.
However, some pet parents like taking their dog around from place to place to see each groomer’s talents. There are quite a few factors to consider here, but let us tell you just a few.
Price
Groomers can vary quite a bit in price. Grooming facilities, such as PetSmart, might have a set menu with pricing across the board. A private groomer, however, sets their rates based on a different list of criteria.
So, the pricing varies depending on the facility or individual performing the task. You can certainly find some budget-friendly options. However, if quality is your main concern, you might find a groomer who pampers your pup from head to toe, making you willing to spend the extra cash.
Quality
Training is everything when it comes to a dog groomer. Nothing can replace years of experience in the field. It’s just the same as anything else. The more the groomer performs the task, the better they will be at their job. If you get a novice groomer, they may do a mediocre job but nothing special.
Reviews are crucial. They can tell you a lot about a person or establishment so you can get a feeling for what to expect when you go. There is nothing like someone who is willing to take time and really give your dog the best treatment possible.
Familiarity
Many pet owners like to be familiar with their groomer. Allowing someone to care for their animal in any way can be a pretty big deal for some people. Getting to know and enjoying your groomer might be on your list of must-haves.
You are probably the type of person who immediately knows how to detect someone else’s energy or vibe. The more comfortable you feel, the more comfortable your pet likely feels.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere should always be warm and inviting. The place should be well-kept and clean, ensuring good hygiene practices around the board. There should be separate areas between the grooming stations and the waiting room or checkout area.
Grooming Your Lhasa Apso at Home
If you want to avoid paying the extra for grooming, this is a quickly learned trade that you can do in the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to be a master groomer to do a few basic cuts. Even those that we mentioned in this article can be pretty simple for beginners.
Now, if you’re looking for perfection and precision, professionals will always be your best bet. But you can still learn a few basic techniques for all the times in between.
Brushes
There are several different types of brushes to choose from, such as de-shedding brushes, slicker brushes, and bristle brushes. Having one of each can be beneficial for a long-haired dog like a Lhasa Apso.
Comb
Combs are good for specific target areas. They are also useful when you’re trimming your dog’s beard or other points where you need to be extremely precise. Combs help hold the hair to keep it even.
Slicker
Slicker brushes are great for everyday combing needs. Slicker brushes typically have a self-cleaning mechanism, such as a push button that retracts the bristles. However, you manually have to clean some, which is a manageable task, too.
Bristle
Bristle brushes are generally made out of synthetic materials like nylon or animal hair. These brushes can vary in price quite dramatically depending on the source of the bristle. These brushes are great for distributing oils throughout your dog’s coat and keeping them looking fresh.
However, this is not the type of heavy-duty brush you need to remove mats, tangles, or debris. The bristle brush gives a smoothing effect rather than separating every strand.
Bath Brush
Bath brushes are unnecessary for daily use, but they can be accommodating when you’re bathing your pup. It helps to remove dirt and debris from the coat with sticky rubber bristles.
De-Shedding Tool
De-shedding tools are not intended for everyday use. It would help if you only used a de-shedding tool when it’s absolutely necessary, such as after full body baths during full grooming sessions.
With a dog like a Lhasa Apso, it is important to get in there and remove any dead layers of skin and other debris that might be in the fur. These tools can be very abrasive, so using them appropriately is incredibly important.
Shampoo/Conditioner
Buying the right shampoo and conditioner can be a challenge. Some Lhasa Apsos have sensitive skin that can break out or dry with use. It is best to get a hypoallergenic, organic shampoo when you can.
Conditioner is optional, but it is easier to brush and style your Lhasa Apso’s hair after use.
Clippers
Your Lhasa Apso will require a pair of grooming clippers. These clippers will vary in quality depending on the brand and price. You can get a pair of decent clippers for a value until you get the hang of it. If you want to buy more advanced clippers later, that is always a possibility.
Typically, clippers come in two varieties: corded and cordless. Both have their benefits and downfalls. Corded clippers can get very hot with use over time. Cordless clippers can die quicker and be a pain to charge.
If you forget to put the clippers on the charger after use, you can be very annoyed when it comes time to groom your dog again, and you have to wait.
Shears
Shears might look like scissors, but they are not. They are actually a design tool to thin the coat. A Lhasa Apso can get very fluffy and needs to have their coat thoroughly thinned. You might not feel comfortable performing this or feel like it’s unnecessary, and that’s totally okay.
But if you’re getting serious about grooming at home, shears can be a very useful tool to have. If you feel uncomfortable using them, use some YouTube tutorials to your advantage to watch a professional in action—for free!
Nail Clippers
Now, clippers are a must for any dog. Anytime you groom at home, you’ll want to give the nails a trim. You cannot use human nail clippers on dogs as the structure of our nails is vastly different. Instead, you have to buy a brand explicitly designed for pets.
These types of nail clippers fit around the nail to provide an even cut. If you try to clip your pet’s nails with regular standard clippers, it can cause pressure on certain points and create breakages and bleeding.
At the very least, it can cause uneven trims. That is because our nails are shaped very differently from our canine counterparts. They have a cylindrical shape while ours are flat.
Conclusion
So now that you know a little bit more about what’s what when you groom a Lhasa Apso, you can choose from a selection of standard cuts or add your own spin for a creative new look.
Since your pup will require frequent hair maintenance, you have all the time to come up with as many cute ideas as you want. Do you have a look that you prefer for your dazzling, long-haired puppy?
Featured Image Credit: SubertT, Shutterstock
