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Dog Clippers & Grooming
Dog Clippers and Trimmers
Keep your dog looking smart and tidy with dog clippers and trimmers from Clippersharp. We stock a wide range of dog clippers from brands like Wahl, Heiniger, Aesculap, and Andis, including a variety of clippers that use the snap-on A5 blade system. We're experts on all things clipper related, so feel free to contact us for help choosing the most suitable and best dog clipping tools and accessories to give maximum style and comfort.
What are Dog Clippers?
Dog clippers, much like human or larger animal clippers, are handheld electrically or battery powered machines that clip hair and fur off evenly and quickly. We're often asked if it's possible to use human hair clippers on dogs. The short answer is, sometimes! Both human and dog clippers are designed in a very similar way, and some can double up to do both jobs particularly if the fur is fine and straight. However, more challenging conditions including coats that are dense, double coated or curly, will require clippers that have been designed for dog grooming. A dog clipper will need to use an appropriate grade of clipper blade to grade or cut to the appropriate length.
What is a Dog Shaver?
A dog shaver is another name for Dog Clippers and Trimmers. These are used for trimming and tidying for all types of dogs. Many of the domestic dog breeds grow thick coats, and often need to be clipped and thinned out to regulate their body temperature, particularly though the hotter summer months. Sometimes the coat can get dry, dirty, and matted. Careful washing and brushing of the coat will be required, before using dog trimmers or shavers to clip through for a final tidy. Professional dog groomers use Dog shavers for the smaller areas that need to be trimmed. They are generally quieter and have a narrower blade compared to the more robust and powerful dog clippers.
What is the Difference Between Dog Shavers, Dog Clippers and Dog Trimmers?
All three are very similar, with Dog clippers usually being the most powerful. Many dog clippers use the snap on blade system, also referred to as the A5 blade system, which dog groomers and veterinarians use daily. This makes it easier to adapt and change blades when clipping so many different types of coats. Clippers are for the larger body areas, and trimmers are used for detailing, edging and trimming fiddly areas and between the toe nails. Clippers use a slightly wider blade than a trimmer and are designed to cut longer and thicker fur. Trimmers are suitable for cutting shorter fur.
For the home user, the smaller and often cheaper Dog Trimmers and Dog shavers are adequate to cope with smaller amounts of trimming and tidying. These generally come with plastic add on combs or graders that can clip on to the blade giving an added length adjustment depending on the finish that is required.
Can I Clip or Shave my Dog at Home?
Yes, it is often more convenient to clip or shave the pet dogs in their home environment, and usually it is a quieter and less stressful experience. Trimming or shaving the coat does take a bit of practice, so that it doesn’t look like a chewed-up mess! Its worth watching a professional groomer to see how to hold the dog, and the best techniques for getting the best results from the dog trimmers and shavers.
If the blade starts to “chew” the fur, it means the blade is blunt or being pushed through the coat too quickly. If the coat is dirty or wet, this will not make it easy for the blade to glide through. Using a fine clipper oil applied onto the blades before trimming, will help keep the blades moving smoothly.
Why Clip Your Dog Yourself?
If your dog is needing a haircut on a regular basis, it can be a much cheaper solution to be able to clip and trim from home. Home dog grooming is often more convenient and less stressful than taking them to a dog grooming parlour. If your dog is nervous or has anxiety issues, clipping your dog at home can take the pressure off, becoming part of your regular routine.
For regular clipping, investing in a good quality set of dog clippers is money well spent. There are many brands to consider, If you're unsure which to go for please contact us for advice.
Challenging coat conditions and clipping on a regular basis will require a dog clipper that is robust and reliable. Nervous dogs will benefit from dog clippers or dog trimmers that are quiet with little vibration.
Top Tips for Grooming Your Dog at Home
- If you have a puppy and regularly brush and take trouble holding up legs, looking at toenails and generally make a fuss of the dog whilst being brushed it will make handling and preparing the dog for trimming and clipping so much easier.
- Ensure you have an extra pair of hands available to help with holding.
- It’s easier to put the dog on a raised surface (a low, sturdy table) that can be easily wiped and brushed off afterwards.
- Use a quiet trimmer or shaver around the head and sensitive areas, start gently on a larger surface area – along the back as an example.
- Oil the blades and wipe off excess before starting.
- Keep checking that the blades are not getting hot, and if they do, stop, and allow to cool or use a proprietary cooling lotion designed for using on clipper blades.
What is the Best Dog Clipper to Choose?
There are many types of dog clippers, and it really depends on the individual's situation and the dog's behaviour and temperament. Questions that you should ask yourself are:
What type of coat does my dog grow? For example, if the fur is dense and long and tends to get knotted, a heavier duty clipper together with a coarse blade should be one to choose.
Is my dog anxious or nervous when groomed? Nervous or anxious dogs will need a careful introduction to dog clippers, and the quieter the machine, the easier it will be to encourage stress free clipping and grooming.
Would I prefer a cordless dog clipper? Re-chargeable, battery-operated clippers are often more convenient to use than the mains version. A cordless clipper is much easier to use, particularly around timid dogs.
How Often Does a Dog Need Clipping?
This depends on the type of hair, and how quickly the fur grows. Some breeds grow dense coats all year round, but require more help to keep the coat short in the summer for comfort and welfare. This could mean clipping every 2-4 weeks, especially in hot weather.
Do all Dogs Need to be Clipped or Groomed? ,
Some dogs never need to be clipped and only require a regular brush or comb out on a daily or weekly basis. As part of handling, and education, a dog should be brushed regularly, feet attended and nails trimmed.
What Price Should I Pay for Dog Clippers?
Don't compromise on the quality of the clipper. We stock reliable brands that include Wahl, Heiniger, Aesculap, and Andis. These all have excellent build specifications and include warranties that give peace of mind as well as confidence when purchasing.
Choosing the right set of dog clippers will ensure your dog always looks neat and tidy. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us.
How do I Maintain my Dog Clippers?
Generally, we find that the smaller dog trimmers and shavers are very reliable, and don’t need so much attention or servicing as the larger dog clippers that have a different motor system.
Always clean off the blades after use and re-charge the battery as required, so that it is left fully charged whilst no in use.
Dog clippers that take the A5 snap on blade system will need checking on a regular basis, particularly if being used on a professional basis, as there are small parts that do wear and need replacing. For example, the latch assembly and lever that is used for attaching the snap on blade. Keep clippers, trimmers, and shavers in a dry, warm place. If left in an outside shed or room, the component parts will deteriorate very quickly.
How do I Choose the Right Blades for my Dog Clippers?
This will depend on the breed of dog, the finish that you are happy with and whether you are clipping for show or comfort. There are so many dog clipper blades to choose from – blades that will leave the coat with a very close-cut finish to a more natural, longer look. The snap on blade system works on a number basis. The higher the number, the finer the cut. For example, a #40 blade will cut down to 0.25mm – this is more of a surgical finish and mainly used by vets prior to surgical procedures. A #15 blade cuts to 1.2mm, and a #10 blade (which is one of the most popular ones), finishes at 1.5mm. There are also variations between the blades, and particularly popular are the skip tooth blades for terriers and coarser coated dogs. The skip tooth blade gives a more natural layered look, whereas the other types of blades cut to an even finish. In addition to blades there are add on combs which often come with the dog clippers and trimmers and can be snapped onto the blade – usually onto a #10 blade – giving extra flexibility and grading to the coat.