The Lion haircut is a cute, practical style that’s rapidly gaining in popularity right across the doggy world.
This super-cute grooming style makes your dog look just like a baby lion! And the great thing about the Lion trim is that it suits lots of different dog breeds, from Labradoodles to Pomeranians. This hairstyle not only looks great, but it’s also very practical.
Read this guide to find out how to make your dog look like a real-life lion with this trendy haircut!
Lion Haircut Ideas For Different Dog Breeds
Now that you know more about this quirky, cute canine hairstyle, let’s take a look at how these different breeds wear the look.
Would the Lion cut suit your canine companion? Let’s find out!
Pomeranian Lion Cut
The gorgeous, golden-colored Pomeranian is the perfect candidate for a Lion cut. Check out the before and after photographs below, and you’ll see what I mean!
Goldendoodle Lion Cut
The Goldendoodle is another perfect dog breed for the Lion cut. These dogs are full of personality and verve, and their beautiful golden color lends the breed perfectly to the Lion look.
As an added bonus, Goldendoodles are very light shedders, so you can easily brush your Doodle’s fur out to make it look even longer and fluffier!
Pekingese
With their flat faces and delightful personalities, your sweet little Pekingese pup looks even cuter as a Lion!
These dogs were once held in high esteem by Chinese royalty, so the King of the Jungle look is perfect for these regal dogs.
Chow Chow Lion Cut
The Chow Chow has a round face and ears, so their faces do look very much like a lion. Add to that the dog’s golden brown to reddish-colored coat, and the look is complete.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu actually means “Little Lion” in Chinese! So, the Lion cut is a must for these cute pups.
If you’re still not convinced, take a look at these gorgeous before and after pictures.
Golden Retriever
The Golden retriever’s thick, lustrous double coat is perfect for creating the lion-like appearance of the Lion cut.
These beautiful big dogs can look very imposing with this haircut, but we all know that Goldens are just big softies at heart.
Yorkie
The feisty Yorkshire Terrier or Yorkie, as they are also affectionately known, looks even cuter with a Lion clip.
Poodle
The Lion cut is a very popular, traditional haircut for the Poodle. These active, working dogs love to get down and dirty in the dog park, and this practical haircut makes bath time a breeze.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd has a reputation as a feisty guard dog and service dog, guarding property and working alongside law enforcement to keep us safe. But these dogs are also very loving, faithful, and trainable.
The Lion cut can look very impressive on a GSD. However, these are double-coated dogs, and for that reason, we don’t recommend routinely clipping them, as that can prevent the dog’s natural guard hairs from regrowing properly. Also, the double coat is designed to keep the dog warm in winter and protect them from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays in summer.
Maltese
The Maltese dog has a long, silky coat that can take a lot of brushing to keep it in good condition and free from mats. A Lion cut is a popular cut for these dogs, especially when combined with the traditional topknot look and a cute bow.
Löwchen
Although you might not have heard of them before, these gorgeous dogs have been popular pets in Continental Europe for over 500 years.
The Löwchen is a sweet little companion dog whose name means “Little Lion” in German. These non-shedding dogs are traditionally shown in a Lion clip with a plumed tail and full mane. The Löwchen comes in a variety of colors and color combinations.
Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is one of the most popular crossbreeds or designer dogs out there. In fact, Labradoodles were the pioneers of the whole Doodle movement, being created back in the 1960s as service dogs, specifically for people with pet allergies.
These Doodles are also incredibly popular as family pets, and the Lion cut is a firm favorite with owners of these friendly, happy-go-lucky dogs.
How To Do The Lion Cut
If you fancy having a crack at shaving your dog’s hair so that he looks just like a lion, you’ll need to understand the basic principles of this super-trendy clip.
There are actually several different variations of the Lion cut. So, to avoid confusion, we recommend that you ask a professional groomer to find out what kind of Lion clip they can do. Most experienced groomers will be familiar with this style of grooming, but it’s always sensible to check first.
This sort of haircut suits an adult coat and can be used on a double coat with proper grooming.
The Classic Cute Lion Trim
An experienced groomer will most likely give the traditional Lion cut as follows:
- The dense coat of fur on the dog’s sides and back are shaved, leaving enough space to fit a large Lion’s mane.
- Next, the dog’s tail is shaved clean of fur to about 3/4 of the way from the base. A tuft of hair should be left on the tip of the tail.
- Now, the fur is shaved to around 3/4 of the way down the dog’s legs, leaving some hair on near the paws. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can opt to remove all the hair from the legs if you prefer.
- Some people like to add some dark brown pet-friendly hair color to the dog’s new mane and paws to create a very authentic look.
Of course, if your dog’s coat isn’t suitable for creating a thick Lion mane, you could still enjoy the final result by using a lion mane costume for a special occasion, such as a doggy Halloween party.
Why Choose A Lion Cut For Your Dog?
So, what is it about the Lion trim that’s making this doggy hairstyle so popular?
Super-Cute!
There’s no doubt about it; the Lion cut is the cutest canine hairstyle around! This doggy “do” certainly makes your pet stand out from the crowd and gives him the cuteness factor in bucketloads.
If you choose the Lion cut for your pet, you’d better get ready for all the attention he’s bound to receive when you’re out walking!
Easy Maintenance
If you’re fed up with stray hairs getting onto your clothes, floor coverings, and furniture, the Lion cut is a great option for you and your pet.
Very long dog hair needs careful grooming every day to stop it from matting and tangling, and that’s time-consuming. However, the Lion cut usually means that around 70% of the dog’s body hair is shaved to create that classic lion-like appearance, and that makes the dog’s coat much easier to maintain in the long run.
Prevents Mats
Mats in the dog’s hair can create skin problems, as well as an appearance issue for your pet. Since most of the dog’s body hair is removed with a Lion trim, mats can be pretty much eliminated, which is great news for both you and for your pet.
How Long Does It Take For The Dog’s Hair To Grow Back?
A thick coat of hair is designed to keep your dog’s body warm. So, if you choose a clip that entails removing all that fur, there is a risk that your pet might get cold, especially during the winter months. Also, there’s also a chance that you won’t like the Lion clip on your dog once it’s done, or you want to try a different hairstyle.
In that case, you’ll want to know how long it takes for the dog’s hair to grow back.
Generally, you can expect it to take about eight weeks for the dog’s hair to grow back completely. So, if you choose a Lion cut at the beginning of the summer, the fur will have regrown by the fall when the weather turns cooler.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed our fun article featuring Lion haircut ideas for different dog breeds.
The Lion cut is taking the dog world by storm! This hairstyle is cute and practical and suits many different dog breeds. You can choose to have your professional groomer give your dog a Lion cut or even take the DIY route and clip your dog yourself at home.
Did you choose the Lion cut for your furry friend? What breed of dog do you have?
Tell us your story in the comments box below, and please share our guide if it inspired you!
