My dog has just had a disastrous haircut

[sergeantmajor]

My shaggy ole shih-tzu now looks like a skinhead. I don't recognise him. The groomer warned me that it would have to be a close cut due to all the knots and matted lumps in his fur. Now I wish I'd kept the knots along with all the hair. And he'll freeze all winter. Dh and dcs will kill me.
How long will it take to grow back? Anyone know?

Far better to be rid of the matts and knots which would have caused him discomfort.

You could get him a coat for the winter, and keep on top of his grooming once the fur grows back in.

Thanks MargotLovedTom (great name btw). I barely recognise him at the moment but I guess I'll get used to it. I shall console myself by dogcoat shopping.

It won't take long to grow a good covering .my dog has a haircut every 6 weeks ( goes for a bath in between) ,in the winter he wears an equafleece jumper for walks if its raining .

Eric is a shih tzu poodle cross and is clipped every four weeks. after 6 weeks he looks a scruff and before his first haircut he looked like Dougal from the magic roundabout. We keep him short though as he loves to get dirty and he dries quicker after a dunk in the tub.He has coats to wear to keep him warm and to limit just how dirty he gets. We buy the ones that cover his tummy as well as his back.

This doesn't sound like a disastrous haircut, it sounds like a blessed release for the dog from the discomfort of mats and the skin irritation that develops underneath them (also a haven for fleas).
You don't recognise him...so what? His comfort is more important than what you think he should look like.
You think he'll freeze in winter - matted hair isn't a good insulator as it doesn't trap air, and dries much slower than a non-tangled coat.
Your DH and DCs will "kill you" - tell them to wise up.
How long does it take to grow back? Probably about 6mo or so before it could potentially get in the same sorry state again, so get him groomed regularly, and if he gets wet or muddy then dry him thoroughly and comb the hair so it can't start to tangle again.
You chose a long coated breed and let it get into a shit state so quit whinging.

OK so my last post could've been more constructive..
I like the "Danish Design" Muddypaws coat with the detachable fleece lining for walking mine when it's cold and raining. There is good neck protection and I like the chest bit as it stops her front from getting wet and mucky when she's charging through muddy bits. She can move well in it and it doesn't seem to shift out of place even when she's galloping and climbing over branches. It's easy to wash too and dries quickly.

My best friend is a dog groomer and often tells tales of having to shave dogs coats short because owners can't be bothered to groom their own dogs regularly, it's cruel not to.
Put pyjamas on your dog to keep him warm and brush him yourself between grooming sessions!

My friends favourite dog to style is a Shih-tzu; she'd want to cry at seeing a matted coat on your dog.