A Shih Tzu with a beard any self-certifying hipster would be proud of is the talk of his local town – and looks remarkably like his owner thanks to their love of the hirsute look.
Pooch Max, from Utah, who is eight-years-old, has his caramel-coloured ‘beard’ trimmed and shaped every six weeks in a bid to keep it in pristine condition.
The long-haired Shih Tzu simply has to keep the rest of his coat trimmed short to make it appear as if the tiny pet has a lustrous beard.
Owners, Candice, 37, and Cody Hopkins, 42, say that Max is a mini celebrity in their local area – and can’t go ‘walkies’ without being stopped for photographs from fascinated fellow dog fans.
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Max, an eight-year-old Shih Tzu from Utah, is a local celebrity thanks to his carefully trimmed beard, which is pampered every six weeks at a nearby grooming parlour
Like dog, like owner…but who has the best beard? Max, sitting on owner Cody’s lap, is used to having his hair pampered all the time, say the family
Max’s human dad, Cody, is also a fan of the bearded look – proving the old adage that dogs often look like they’re owners.
Indeed, the family are often told that Max’s beard is in fact more lustrous than Cody’s.
Max’s fellow owner, Candice, a mother-of-three, said: ‘Max is often told that he has a better beard than Cody.
‘It’s hilarious how well Max pulls of his long beard and we get him groomed every six weeks to ensure it stays a good shape at all times.
‘On our daily walks we are stopped by strangers who want to pose up next to Max and have their photos taken.’
She admits: ‘I guess it’s not every day that you see a dog with a beard.’
Candice and Cody say their pooch loves the limelight and doesn’t seem to mind posing up when strangers ask for snaps of his unique look
Candice, holding Max, who says the beard is ‘just a bit of fun’ thinks her pet pooch looks like the perfect hipster dog
The family have grown accustomed to the attention Max receives when they are out on a walk. Pictured: Cody, sitting with Max, with daughters Logan (top right) and Payton (left), mCandice (centre) and son Gunner (right)
Doggone cool: Max, wearing a little biker outfit at the groomer’s, has had several haircuts in the past, including a mohawk
Where the magic happens: at the Furrytail grooming parlour, where Max’s beard is trimmed
The little pooch is very close with Cody and Candice’s son Gunner, and sleeps on his bed every night (pictured together at bathtime)
Candice says Max’s beard is occasionally styled to change up his look – including this one, where he’s donning a pair of braids
Candice says the family own four other dogs but it’s only Max that is groomed regularly.
She adds: ‘Max is definitely pampered but he loved the limelight. Whenever he sees a camera he strikes a pose and he knows how popular he is.
‘He sleeps with my son, Gunner, 11, every night on his bed and will wait at the door when it’s bedtime.
The family has four dogs in total, but Candice says Max, pictured with Cody, is the only one of the pooches to be groomed regularly
Let’s go for a little walk: the couple say locals near their Utah home love Max’s look
‘My two daughter, Logan, 20, and Payton, 17, love him too as he has such a funny personality.’
Max has proven so popular that the family have even had some requests from beard companies to use his images to promote their beard grooming oils.
Candice said: ‘Max has featured on social pages for some beard product companies as his beard is so impressive.
Gunner and Max hanging out in the garden. Candice says that while the family have tried different hairstyles on Max in the past, the beard is here to stay
Candice revealed the family love to decorate Max’s beard once in a while, using tiny baubles at Christmas to add a festive look
‘He is very hipster and we do decorate his beard every so often, either with beads or baubles at Christmas.
‘It’s all just a bit of fun and Max loves it.
‘We have given him a Mohawk before and a lions mane but the beard is definitely here to stay and our favourite.’