9 Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzus in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Shih Tzus are tiny dogs with special grooming needs, and it can be tough to find the perfect set of clippers for these dogs. There are many varieties on the market, but most are designed for large dogs. It’s tricky to separate which grooming tools will be small enough to manage for a Shih Tzu but tough enough to clip through their hair.

We checked many brands to create this list of the nine best dog clippers for Shih Tzus. These reviews will give you an overview of each product and its pros and cons to help you decide which set is best for you. There’s also a buyer’s guide that explains what you should look for when shopping for dog clippers.

A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Wahl Professional Animal U-Clip Pet	All-inclusive home grooming kit Instructional videos Designed for use on Shih Tzus	Check Price
Best Value		PATPET Removable Blade Dog Grooming Clipper	Cordless Alarm for low charge and oiling Fully adjustable head	Check Price
Premium Choice		Wahl Brushless Professional Dog Clipper	Heavy duty Quiet operation Extended motor life	Check Price
		Oster Turbo Pet Hair Grooming Clipper	Extra-long cord Easy to remove blades Break-resistant housing	Check Price
		Wahl Professional Animal Cordless Pet Trimmer	Quiet operation Cordless 100 minutes of runtime	Check Price

The 9 Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzus

Wahl Professional Animal Deluxe U-Clip Pet is the best overall dog clippers for Shih Tzus. This kit is an all-inclusive home grooming kit designed specifically for dogs with fine to medium coats. Shih Tzus are listed on the list of recommended breeds for use, and there’s even a DVD explaining the best way to groom your dog.

The clipper is powerful enough to clip through tangles and mats but quiet, so it won’t scare your dog. Replacement blades are easy to come by when you need them, and there are seven choices for hair length, so you can alter your grooming according to the season.

These clippers will heat up after extended periods of use, so you will have to take breaks during a long grooming session. They also require regular maintenance. Customers who oiled and cleaned their clippers after each use found that they lasted several years before needing to be replaced.

The PatPet P730 Grooming Clipper is the best dog clippers for Shih Tzus for the money. It can run at three different speeds and delivers 5 hours of runtime on a charge. It is cordless and charges in about 3 hours. The PatPet Clipper has indicators that alarm when it needs oil or is running out of charge. The cutter head is also adjustable to make it easier to cut different lengths of hair. If you find that your wrist typically gets sore while clipping, this unit has a grip on the handle to alleviate strain.

This grooming clipper is quiet during operation, with the exception of the alarm. Since the core is made of plastic, be careful not to drop it, as the case will crack or break. This set does not come with a carrying case, so you’ll need to find somewhere to store all the accessories. The price tag, however, makes it well worth it.

The Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog Clipper offers ultimate durability for clipping any kind of animal hair. It’s heavy-duty enough to clip horses and livestock but quiet enough to clip your Shih Tzu without disturbing them. It’s great for clipping tangled hair and has an extended motor life, which means you won’t have to replace your clippers until after 10,000 hours of use. The handle is ergonomically curved to avoid fatigue, and it has low vibration, which makes the experience more comfortable for both you and your dog.

The most obvious downside to Wahl Professional Clippers is the price tag: The heavy-duty design comes with a hefty price. They also get hot after a short period of use, so plan on taking frequent breaks if you’re doing a full clip.

The Oster A5 Turbo has an extra-long cord to make it easier for you to move around while grooming your dog. The blades are easily changed and removed for cleaning, and the handle has an ergonomic design to avoid wrist fatigue. While it is made of plastic, the housing is break resistant, so a crack on the outside won’t affect functionality. This grooming clipper is designed to tackle even the heaviest dog coats but quiet enough to keep your Shih Tzu calm during use.

This clipper vibrates quite a bit, and there are a few complaints of the screws loosening during use. It’s best to check that all parts are tightened before starting the clipper to avoid the blade coming off.

The Wahl Professional Animal BravMini+ Cordless Trimmer is one of the best for animals sensitive to noise. It’s extremely quiet and small, which also makes it perfect for trimming around the face, paws, and ears. With no cord, this trimmer is easy to maneuver, and it will run for 100 minutes on a charge.

The biggest downside to the Wahl mini is that it gets warm quickly. It will need to cool down for long grooming sessions. Over time, it tends to hold less charge, especially if you use it as your only set of clippers. This set may be best used as a detail trimmer in addition to a larger set.

If you have more than one dog to clip with different coat types, this grooming clipper from Andis is a great choice. The Andis AGC2 Detachable Blade Dog Clipper has a 2-speed motor to adjust to different coat thicknesses. It has a 14-foot cord, so you don’t have to move your dog around. The blades are easily removed for cleaning or changing, but there is a locking hinge that prevents it from vibrating loose while the clipper is turned on.

These clippers only come with one length of comb, which is a huge bummer. You can get different lengths of Andis combs, but you will have to pay extra for them. As with most clippers, they get hot over time. This set is also heavy, so you may find that your hands and wrists get tired quickly.

The Andis ProClip Excel has five speeds of operation so you can adjust to your grooming needs. The blade on this set of clippers is made from CeramicEdge material, so it won’t get hot as fast as stainless-steel blades do. This is good news if you frequently need to use them for long periods of time. The grip on the handle is anti-slip and contoured to avoid hand soreness.

This set only comes with one comb length. You’ll need to purchase other combs separately, but they are easy to find. While the ceramic blades avoid getting hot, they chip easily, sometimes while in use. Once this happens, they won’t cut properly and will need replacing.

The Kenchii Flash Dog Clipper has five speeds and offers “Smart Clip Technology.” Instead of choosing the speed that you think you need, the clipper will automatically speed up or slow down when it encounters a different thickness of hair. The battery lasts for up to 6 hours on a charge and automatically switches to lower voltage use when possible to save battery life. The LCD screen enables you to see the speed of operation and battery life and alerts you when you need to clean your blades.

These clippers are quiet and have a low vibration level. They are perfect for small dogs with light coats, like a Shih Tzu. They are not suitable for large dogs with thick coats, though, as they bog down in thick hair. Also, it is difficult to find replacement blades or attachments for these clippers. You will likely need to replace the whole thing if your blade becomes dull or breaks.

The design of the Oster A6 Slim Groomer enables you to adjust the speed according to hair thickness. This clipper has vibration isolators to make it more comfortable to use, and it’s lightweight, so your hand and wrist won’t get tired. The blades are detachable for easy cleaning, and they don’t get hot as quickly as other models.

One blade comes in the box, but the clipper is compatible with all Oster detachable blades, including ones from other models of Oster clippers. While this unit is quiet to use, it seems to get louder over time, and it wasn’t built for durability. If your dog isn’t particularly noise sensitive, though, these clippers are easy to use. They also have an economical price tag that makes it worth giving them a try.

Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzus

Keeping your Shih Tzu’s fur tangle free and well-groomed is essential to keeping them clean, comfortable, and healthy. However, it’s something that you have to do regularly. With the right tools and time set aside each week, it can be an enjoyable process for both of you. This buyer’s guide will cover everything that you need to know about buying the best dog clippers for your Shih Tzu. Keeping them neat and tidy doesn’t have to be an arduous task; you just need the right equipment.

What You Need to Know About Dog Clippers

Dog clippers are designed specifically for cutting and styling a dog’s fur. They are a hassle-free, simple, and quick way for you to give your dog a well-groomed and stylish look without sacrificing the health of their coat. There are three different types of clippers that you can use for your Shih Tzu: corded clippers, cordless clippers, and quick-clip trimmers.

Cordless vs. Corded Clippers

The first thing to consider when buying a dog clipper is whether you want a corded or cordless model. Cordless clippers are more convenient to use, are easier to clean, and take up less space. However, they usually cost more than corded clippers.

Corded clippers are cheaper and more powerful and don’t need to be charged. They are usually more appropriate for big dogs and/or breeds with thick fur.

Features to Look For When Buying Shih Tzu Clippers

Before you buy a pair of clippers for your Shih Tzu, it’s important to know their breed-specific grooming needs. This will help you choose a pair that is suitable for your dog’s breed and coat type.

Clippers with a wide blade are often best for Shih Tzus because they have a dense, thick coat — a feature that makes them prone to overheating. Having adjustable blade heights is also helpful so you can change the length of your dog’s hair according to the season.

Another thing to keep in mind is that clippers will get hot when used for an extended period of time. This is especially true for corded clippers, as they are more powerful than cordless models. Too much heat can cause skin irritation, so it’s important to keep the clippers away from your dog’s skin.

If you’re unsure of what type of clippers that you should be using, you can always consult a dog groomer or visit a local pet shop and ask for their advice.

Conclusion

The right set of clippers for your Shih Tzu will enable you to groom your dog at home quickly, efficiently, and with minimal fuss. To recap these reviews, the best overall dog clippers for Shih Tzus are the Wahl Professional Animal Deluxe U-Clip Pet. This set comes with an all-in-one grooming kit and instructional DVD that makes it easy to use for anyone, even if you’re new to dog grooming. The best dog clippers for Shih Tzus for the money are the PATPET P730 Removable Blade Dog & Cat Hair Grooming Clipper. It’s powerful enough to cut through thick hair, but it’s quiet and has an ergonomic handle to maintain your comfort during use. The premium recommendation is the Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog Clipper. It’s heavy duty and will cut through anything, but it’s also comfortable to use and easy to operate.

Featured Image Credit: Parilov, Shutterstock