Short answer: choose according to coat type and frequency of use. For home use, a mid-power cordless clipper or a compact trimmer for paws, face and hygiene areas is usually enough; for a salon you need a professional model with detachable blades. Dogs with a double coat should not be shaved.
Key criteria
- Power. Thick, coarse coats need a more powerful motor. A weak clipper pulls the hair and causes discomfort.
- Noise and vibration. For nervous dogs, this matters more than anything else.
- Battery or cord. Cordless models are more convenient; for extended work, look for a model with a swappable battery or a cord option.
- Blade system. Detachable blades on the A5 standard, compatible across many brands, give you flexibility; compact trimmers usually have a fixed blade.
- Weight and balance. On long jobs, a heavy clipper tires your hand.
What the blade numbers mean
The higher the number, the shorter the cut it leaves. As a guide (lengths vary slightly between manufacturers):
- #10 – about 1.5 mm. For the belly, hygiene area, paws and prep work.
- #7F – about 3 mm. Short body clip.
- #5F – about 6 mm, and #4F – about 9–10 mm. Longer body clip.
- Attachment combs – fit over a short blade and leave a longer coat.
The letter F (FC on some brands) means a blade with even teeth (full/finish cut) – for a smoother finish. Blades without F have alternating long and short teeth and are better suited to rough initial work.
Which dogs are clipped
The clipper is an essential tool for breeds with continuously growing coats, such as the Poodle and Bichon Frise, whose coat is usually clipped about every 4 weeks. In the Miniature Schnauzer, pet dogs are often clipped, but this softens the wiry coat and it loses its characteristic texture – hand-stripping (pulling out the dead hair) preserves it. Dogs with a double coat – huskies, shepherds, retrievers – should not be shaved.
For home or for a salon
For a single dog groomed every few weeks, a compact cordless clipper is enough. For a salon handling several dogs a day, you need a professional model with good cooling and a set of blades. In the shop you'll find models from Andis, Heiniger, Wahl, Shernbao and Show Tech – from compact trimmers to clippers with detachable blades.
Maintenance
- Clean hair off the blade after every use.
- Oil it regularly – an unoiled blade heats up and dulls faster.
- Check the blade's temperature often with the back of your hand – a hot blade can burn the skin; let it cool down or swap it if needed.
- Clip a clean, dry coat – a dirty coat dulls blades the fastest.
Suitable products
See our range of clippers, trimmers and blades and professional equipment. Before clipping, brush out the coat thoroughly with products from brushes and combs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clip with a human clipper?
Not recommended. A dog's coat is usually thicker, and clippers made for people aren't designed for it – they heat up more easily and pull the hair.
How often should blades be replaced or sharpened?
It depends on how much they're used. With home use, a blade that's cleaned and oiled regularly lasts a long time and rarely needs sharpening; in a salon, much more often. If the blade pulls hair or heats up quickly, it's time to sharpen or replace it.
Can I clip a double-coated dog?
Better not to. Shaving doesn't reduce shedding and removes the insulating layer, and afterwards the undercoat can grow back faster than the topcoat, leaving the coat uneven and with a different texture. For huskies, Samoyeds, shepherds and retrievers, rely on regular brushing instead.