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Should I cut the hair around my shih tzus eyes?
She is 6 months old and we are getting her fur cut soon(its too hot for her). Someone told my dad that getting the hair around their eyes cut can cause them to go blind. Can it? And if not then should I get the hair cut. It doesn't get in her eyes too much, but if we let it grow will it eventually grow long enough to stay out of her eyes?
My dad seriously believed they could go blind. And I didn't think they would, but I would rather know for sure then cut them and find out it was actually true.
If we do get it cut then how often would we have to get it trimmed?
Also the groomer will be doing all of the trimming(at least the first time) if we do get it done.
12 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
That myth comes from the fact that if you cut the hair, instead of training it to lay down the sides of her nose, when it grows in if you don't keep it trimmed, it can grow into the eye. That's because shih tzus are prone to their bottom eyelid curling inward. While this can cause problems, it is a rare occurrence. Just make sure to get her groomed every few weeks. I usually suggest clients to come in once a month. That keeps everything clean and good smellin'! If you keep the hair trimmed, it will not have a chance to grow "into" her eyes.
Source(s): Dog groomer and trainer of ten years. - 1 decade ago
I have never heard of a long haired dog going blind from having it's hair cut round his eyes. I kept the hair short under my little shih Tzus eyes and it didn't do him any harm. If she has a lot of white on her make sure they don't shave her or cut the hair really short all over as white animals can get sunburn. When I had my shih tzu I used to hold the top layer of hair up with hair grips then cut his hair underneath, then put the top hair down and trim off the ground. This way he was easier to groom and not so hot, but he looked as though he still had his coat, and he was protected from the sun. The groomer I would think would trim it if it needed. My dog I trimmed under his eyes , then made sure I left him some eyebrows to protect his eyes from falling dust etc.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Actually, Shih Tzu's usually need to get the fur cut around their eyes, since their eyelashes and the area around them seem to grow very long. And it will not hurt your Shih Tzu. Just make sure not to get her fur trimmed too low; the fur actually helps cool a dog down considerably, as long as it is at a moderate length. I would suggest not cutting the fur around her eyes unless you are a professional; some dogs will flinch or try to get away as you cut, and the eyes are very sensitive. You should just let the eyelashes and such get cut when you take your dog to the groomer; they grow fast but it won't exactly harm your dog. It just gives your dog a neater appearance, in most cases. And I'm glad your dad is concerned for the physical state of your dog!
Source(s): Future vet and current unofficial but professional dog groomer - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- 5 years ago
Here come the thumbs down, but when my shih tzus were just babies I cut "bangs" right over their eyebrows, parted the longer hair in the middle and added a tiny dab of mousse. Hang in there! If she's almost six months old, you only have about another month or so to go before her hair is long enough for the baby barettes.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
That would be news to all the many thousands of shih-tzus which are trimmed. Leave alone & allow the groomer to trim properly. Doing it w/o knowing how to groom a puppy for 1st trim is not only tricky but you could injure or cause puppy to hate it for a lifetime. If you want to keep up, you won't be able to trim it. Do know that most dogs hate having the topknot pulled up & won't keep the hair up so owner getting it trimmed anyway.
Add: depends on the length, how much grooming maintenance you want to do & how quickly she grows. Shih-tzus usually get groomed every 4 -8 wk. Longer time between appt. if short, shorter periods of time if coat is left longer.
Source(s): 32 yr grooming - ColeyLv 61 decade ago
If you plan to keep her short the groomer will cut the hair and make her eyebrows. Actually kinda cute and NO it will not cause her to go blind. If you plan to keep her long then allow it to grow and eventually you can pin it up in a top knot.
- DeletedLv 51 decade ago
Nope.
I have a Shih tzu x Maltese puppy, and I've already trimmed around his eyes because it was sticking into his eyes, and he couldn't see properly. I'd think that would be alot worse than trimming it.
- 5 years ago
when it starts bothering her, she starts barking and putting her head on my lap. I use a small pair of round tip fiskers. They came free in the pakage about 20 years or so ago. I tell her to stay, and she usually does. If not i grab the hair on her head- gently, but firmly it seems to work because she settles down and sits still. Of course, i give her a nice treat when done. then she will go lay down and be quite. I'v had her for 6years, and find out more every so often. She pulled out of her color on a busy street one time. I yelled stay and she froze in her tracks.
Source(s): Lois ----self - Anonymous1 decade ago
Your kidding right? How many blind dogs would we have if cutting their hair around their eyes made them go blind! I have a feeling you are having a lil' fun on Yahoo!