Best Clippers For Thick Coats???

What kind of dog, how often will you be clipping etc?

Personally, if I was doing really thick double coat clipping (eg for medical reasons I used to clip down a newfie) and I'd use a Laube Lazor with a wide 7F. If I am doing a thick cocker coat, a Laube Mini Micro with an órdinary 7F. However, I groom for a living, and I want something robust that's going to see me thru several clips like this per day. Moser does something called a Switchblade which is good for most hobby groomers and it's robust enough to do the occasional heavy shavedown on a thick coat. Looking at spending about £100 for that...you may or may not get a suitable blade with that (some come with a 10, which IMO is too short, can cause follicle damage going that short regularly). Buying a 7F might cost about another £20 or so.

Avoid cheap clippers from ASDA / Argos etc. They will come with an adjustable blade and comb attachments. They will be too short without the combs, and if the coat is thick / matted the combs will not get thru or leave a decent finish.
 
Thanks for all the info!

I have two king Charles and a bedlington terrier x old English sheep dog (gets matted quickly)

I just want to keep them short for the summer so maybe 2 / 3 strip down clips in the summer and trimming in the winter.
 
PnP, since Henry, now has a lovely short coat, would a 'more economical' (ie cheap :p) pair of clippers be ok?

I am trying to save some cash, was thinking I could cut back on the groomers visits by keeping him trimmed myself and take him to the groomers a little less frequently for a tidy up...
 
seana said:
Thanks for all the info!

I have two king Charles and a bedlington terrier x old English sheep dog (gets matted quickly)

I just want to keep them short for the summer so maybe 2 / 3 strip down clips in the summer and trimming in the winter.
Click to expand...

You have a beddie x OES? Please post a pic of that one! Please tell me the mum was the OES!!! I'm trying to work out what that cross will look like! I love beddies but they are so far different in size from an OES so really intrigued.

Okay, I'd go for the Switchblade clippers. That will do all of your three quite happily. Maintain the blades and get them sharpened once a year, get your clippers serviced maybe once every two years, keep them clean and blades well oiled. They should be good for your lot. The 7F is what I'd normally clip a cavalier with anyway - whether I'm doing it like a spaniel with feathers or shaving the lot off. The bigger dog (I'm assuming s/he's a good size) will have too difficult a coat to keep under control without a sturdy clipper and blades. A wee tip - if the coat is very long the first time: if you have time and inclination - strip off the coat first. Bathe, allow to dry or use a dryer / brush, then clip again to get the bits you missed the first time. If you maintain it while it's still short, then you should always bathe first, dry the coat, then clip - this will increase the life of your blades and give a much better finished result.

Spudlet...I'm not a huge fan of hte cheaper clippers. In fact, I've had folk give to me theirs when they've tried to use them (once or twice) and gave up because they were rubbish. I just bin them, because they are just rubbish for the most part.

However, if you're just doing the odd bit in between professional grooming sessions, it might be worth a go with them. But I honestly can't say I'd recommend any. sorry ;)
 
Thanks PucciNPoni i'll look into them and great tips!

Just out of interest how long does it take to get all your qualifications to be a pr groomer?

Yes, thats what his papers say, when he (scamp) is clipped he looks like a beddlington and when he is hairy I think he looks more like a bearded colllie but his papers say OES?!
 
Anyone with a set of clippers can go out and call themselves a groomer, sadly.

Most intensive training courses run about 20-30 working days. Some colleges do these over six months or a year, but the number of hours will be about the same. To be city and guilds qualified, you need to be out and grooming for a minimum of 18 months I think before sitting exams. There is a theory exam and then three practicals (westie, cocker, poodle). Advanced modules can be done as well for the higher diploma.
 
Having butchered the coats on my two last time they were hairy today we had the mobile groomer and they both look fab :D:D I shall be keeping my own clippers purely for emergency "oh my god what injury do you have now" moments :rolleyes: :D
 
i find oster and moser clippers both good (tho expensive but you could maybe get some second hand) using a 7f or a 5f blade, or maybe even shorter depending on the thickness of the coat. they seem to last well and not heat up too quickly. (a prob i find with some cheaper clippers is they get pretty hot in no time at all) hope this helps
 
Actually, that's a good point re second hand ones - you can sometimes find refurbished ones that have been traded in by professionals to suppliers. I have bought refurb'd ones from my usual vendor (Technogroom) and spent about half the money for really good clippers. Worth a try.
 
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