Teddy Bear Cut for Dogs: What It Is and How to Ask for It

The teddy bear cut is the haircut that makes a doodle, Shih Tzu or Maltipoo look like a stuffed animal: plush body, round face, soft muzzle and fluffy feet. It's one of the most popular styles in grooming salons, but it needs more home care than it looks like. Here's what it is, which dogs it suits, and how to keep it looking good.

What a teddy bear cut looks like

• Body: trimmed to an even, fluffy length, usually 1 to 2 inches.
• Face: scissored into a round shape, with a full muzzle and the eyes cleared.
• Ears: left fuller and blended into the round head, or trimmed shorter for easy care.
• Legs and feet: left fuller and rounded, like a plush toy's paws.
• Tail: usually left fluffy.

The roundness is mostly hand scissoring, which is why this cut often takes longer than a simple clip.

Which dogs suit the teddy bear cut?

Dogs with curly, wavy or silky coats that keep growing: Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Cavapoos, Maltipoos, Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, Havanese and Yorkies. It isn't suitable for double-coated breeds, whose undercoat should not be clipped short.

Teddy bear cut vs. puppy cut

The two are often confused. A puppy cut is about short, practical, even length all over. A teddy bear cut keeps more length, especially on the face and legs, and is styled to look round and plush. If you want minimal brushing, ask for a puppy cut. If you want the look and can brush several times a week, the teddy bear is a great choice. Our puppy cut guide covers the short option.

How to ask your groomer for it

1. Bring a photo of a dog with a similar coat.
2. Give lengths: "One and a half inches on the body, round face with a full muzzle, ears shorter, fluffy feet."
3. Say whether you want a full beard or a slightly shorter muzzle; shorter stays cleaner after meals.
4. Ask the groomer whether your dog's coat condition allows the length you want. Matting may mean going shorter.

How to maintain a teddy bear cut

• Line brush 3 to 4 times a week with a slicker, working to the skin, then comb through.
• Focus on legs, armpits, ears and the beard, where longer hair mats first.
• Wipe the face daily and comb out food from the muzzle.
• Dry completely after baths and swims. In humid climates, damp plush coats mat quickly.
• Rebook every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the shape and length under control.

Tools for keeping it plush

A good slicker brush, a metal comb with wide and narrow teeth and a detangling spray cover almost everything. Use the slicker with light pressure in small sections, then check your work with the comb: if the comb catches, there is still a tangle hiding. A pair of small rounded-tip scissors is handy for trimming hair around the paw pads, but leave shaping the face and body to your groomer.

Is it a good cut for hot weather?

It can be, on the shorter end (about an inch). In Florida summers many owners switch to a shorter teddy bear or a puppy cut for a few months, then grow it back in cooler weather. If you're seeing mats between grooms, that's a sign to go shorter or brush more often. Our guide on how to get mats out of dog hair can help.

The Pawfile quiz builds a brushing and bath schedule matched to your dog's coat, so the plush look lasts until the next groom.

Teddy bear cut FAQ

This guide offers general grooming information. For skin, ear, dental or coat problems that don't improve, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile guides.