Grooming Your Dog: Choosing the Best Dog Clippers

Although dogs have the natural instinct to keep themselves clean, fur parents play a big role in this. Sure, they can do it, but they also need your help.

Now that you think about it, you’ve been making those trips to the groomer and have either seen how peaceful and calm your dog is while he’s being groomed, or witnessed a war between your pup and the groomer.

A lot of us have seen accidents and injuries, making some of those trips unreassuring and stressful. Thus, the question of whether or not these trips to the groomer are necessary has turned up.

Are they? Read on to see.

Table of contents

Common questions & queries, Answered

• When is the best time to groom your pet?
• What are the considerations to take before purchasing pet grooming clippers?
• Is it safe to groom your pet yourself?

Dog Grooming

• Do’s and Don’ts of Grooming
• Dog Hygiene & Its Importance
• Types of Dog Coats
• How Often Does Your Dog Need Grooming?

Best Dog Grooming Clippers

• Oneisall Dog Shaver Clippers
• WAHL Lithium Ion Pro Series Cordless Animal Clippers
• Wahl Clipper Pet-Pro Dog Grooming Kit
• Andis 22340 ProClip 2-Speed Clippers
• Bojafa Dog Grooming Clippers Kit

When is the best time to groom your pet?

Your pup isn’t ready to be introduced to grooming until he is about 8-12 weeks old, preferably once the pup has been separated from his mother and has established a trusting relationship with his new fur parent. Only then can you introduce your pup to his regular bath, blow drying and trimming his hair.

What are the considerations to take before purchasing pet grooming clippers?

Since each dog is different, their grooming needs will also vary. The most important considerations to take are your dog’s age, hair type, how frequently he’ll be needing grooming, and the accessories you’ll be needing.

Is it safe to groom your pet yourself?

If you’re positive that you can give a lot of patience in grooming, have a well-lit place in your home, know about your dog’s hair type, and with proper grooming equipment such as clippers, then it is safe for you to groom your pet at home.

Dog Grooming

Do’s and Don’ts of Grooming

The last thing you want to end up with when trying out self grooming is an injured pup- the very reason you want to stop taking your buddy to Petco in the first place. You’ve been wanting to take matters into your own hands because your cuddly pup’s safety is top priority. Making sure your pup is safe in your hands, here are some of the do’s and don’ts of grooming your dog.

Do: Have a lot of patience. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, especially if you’re still learning the art of grooming. Expect that there will be a lot of challenges, and don’t stress yourself out when things seem to get out of hand.

Your pup will likely pant, whine, and even tremble when you’re first trying to groom him. The more relaxed and calm you are, the more relaxed and calm your dog will also be.

Don’t: Rush into finishing. For some dogs, grooming can take up to an hour and a half. Some can require more time. If your pup usually take long, a shortcut will subject him to a lot of stress and even injuries.

Do: Make grooming a habit you and your pup can enjoy. If your dog has long hair, skipping the washing and grooming for months can wreak havoc to his hygiene and health, and can cause him a lot of stress. Even trimming their nails should also be done regularly.

Don’t: Overlook your dog’s grooming needs. It’s easy to forget, but you can always set up a reminder on your phone, or mark your calendar. Keeping track of your pup’s health includes making sure you’re grooming him regularly.

Do: Make sure you’re using quality and appropriate grooming tools. Investing in the best grooming equipment is an investment you’re making for your dog’s health.

Don’t: Sacrifice your dog’s health for savings. Cheaper tools can seem tempting because of all the dollars you can save, but is it worth your money if it causes more harm than good?

Do: Make grooming comfortable for your dog. You want to make it a memorable treat for your pup- something he can look forward to.

Don’t: Use force to restrain your dog. He is likely to return the force and can cause you both harm. Restraining your pup will make every grooming session feel like he is being forced to do something stressful he likely will hate for the rest of his life.

Do: Keep your grooming equipment clean. For instance, clipper blades will need sharpening and replacement every couple of years.

Don’t: Overlook safety by forgetting to clean and replace clipper blades and other grooming equipment you may have.

Dog Hygiene & Its Importance

In addition to good nutrition, your dog’s hygiene plays a big part in his health and happiness. Hygiene doesn’t only involve cutting his hair- it includes keeping his ears, teeth and skin clean too.

Bacteria, yeast and fungi are some of the parasites that can harm your pup if kept unclean. Your pup’s skin and coat are some of the most time-consuming grooming regimens you need to keep an eye on to keep your dog healthy.

For instance, if your pup tends to shed a lot, brushing his coat daily helps improve blood flow and oil distribution. In addition, tangles and mats can be hazardous to your dog in that it can cause hotspots, and, worst case scenario, infections.

Regular bathing can also promote good health as it helps remove and prevent the buildup of dirt and grime that may be lurking underneath your pup’s thick fur.

Types of Dog Coats

For how can you properly groom your dog without proper coat knowledge? Rest easy as we’re here to help. Below are the common types of coats our adorable pups have:

1. Double Coats.
You normally see double coats on Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Shih Tzu’s, Miniature Schnauzers, Scottish and Cairn Terriers, Shiba Inu’s, Akitas and many others that look similar.

Coats that fall under double coats and are the most prone to mats, hence requiring regular trips to grooming salons, especially with denser undercoats. These coats have two layers: a soft undercoat made up of short hair that’s responsible for insulation, and a top coat that protects them from dirt and even water.

2. Smooth Coats.
Examples of pups with smooth coats are Beagles, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, Great Danes, Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Greyhounds. These shiny and often sleek coats require little grooming. By little, we mean occasional bath times and some combing/brushing. All you need is a bristle brush and you can groom them yourself.

3. Wire Coats.
Terriers are known for their wire coats (Fox Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers and the like.) The wiry outer layer of their coat feels rough and coarse, and usually requires professional grooming because of the challenge it may pose.

Dogs with wire coats need their dead hair plucked out, as they don’t shed. Needless to say, daily brushing is also not necessary with wire coated dogs.

4. Curly Coats.
Looking very much alike, it’s easy to mistake curly coats for wire coats. The important thing to note are the soft waves and tight curls- ones you normally see on a Poodle and Bichon Frise. These adorable curls require professional grooming as well, and the kind of grooming preferred can vary.

For instance, other fur parents prefer to watch these curls grow long (like cords!), while others may like to clip them. That may depend greatly on the kind of curls your cuddly pup has.

5. Medium Coats.
These coats require a little more time for brushing to avoid mats, but not as much as your double coats would. German Shepherds, Border Collies, and some Golden Retrievers whose coats only reach about an inch long belong to this category. Grooming medium coats, with enough patience, can be relatively easy and done at home.

How Often Does Your Dog Need Grooming?

In general, you need to give your pup a bath and have his nails clipped once every 12 weeks, but you still need to take into consideration factors such as his breed and coat type, and how much time he spends outdoors.

If you are new to grooming your pup without the aid of a groomer, you need to be fully aware of your pup’s grooming schedule so as to keep him healthy, avoid mats and unwanted knots, and keep him clean.

If your pup has a silky smooth coat, then grooming might need to be done more frequently, i.e., every 2 months, because his coat tends to continuously grow. Curly coats require even more frequent visits- once a month- to prevent severe matting.

Best Dog Grooming Clippers

Now that you’re more knowledgeable in your pup’s grooming needs, here’s a list of our favorite dog clippers to aid you in your journey to grooming your pup.

Oneisall Dog Shaver Clippers

Pros:

• Can work wirelessly or while charging
• These clippers have detachable blades that are easy to change and clean as attachments come on and off easily
• Makes a very even shave, even for first time users of clippers

Cons:

• Cutters are made of plastic and are less likely to last long
• Is not compatible to some lengths
• The attachments snap on easily but are difficult to remove

These clippers are among the quietest dog clippers you’ll find, keeping your pup as comfortable as possible as you do your job of grooming him. Since they come with a built-in battery, you can choose to work wirelessly away from a power outlet (safer for your dog), or use it while charging for when time is not a luxury.

Grooming is made relatively easy and stress-free with the Oneisall Dog Shaver Clippers, which can easily give you your money’s worth (for less than $37 which is a fair deal!). These clippers work even on severely matted coat, saving you trips to the groomer every single time.

If you’re looking for something your pup won’t even notice, these super quiet dog grooming clippers top our list. Your pup won’t even flinch at the very start of your session. The 4 different size guards make it a versatile tool that can handle any coat type.

You can also adjust the clippers on the unit so you can avoid nicking the skin when you’re grooming the underbelly and rear ends.

WAHL Lithium Ion Pro Series Cordless Animal Clippers

Pros:

• Wireless operation provides exceptional power (1.5 more)
• Has a quick charge feature for when you need to run but also need to give your pup a quick shave
• High-carbon blades remain sharp, making shaving an easy task

Cons:

• These clippers can get quite noisy
• The blade tends to get hot enough to be physically uncomfortable, so you need to check it frequently
• Reports of 4 hours charging time

What sets the WAHL Lithium Ion Pro Series Clippers is its battery life that allows for multiple sessions before needing a recharge. Saying goodbye to groomer visits altogether but still getting quality, snag-free cuts and giving our pups that pleasant grooming experience? Yes, please!

What about the charging experience? Well, charge these clippers for a good 15 minutes (instant power) or 3-5 hours (full charge). When fully charged, you can get up to 2 hours of wireless grooming.

The quality, snag-free cuts are a result of precision ground high carbon steel blades that can easily cut through thick coats, making these clippers an easy choice for any breed.

Wahl Clipper Pet-Pro Dog Grooming Kit

Pros:

• These clippers are actually quiet and cut well
• Cleaning and replacing the blade is easy
• Your furry friend can relax in while getting salon-quality grooming courtesy of you

Cons:

• Tends to be on the heavy side
• Not for long, thick hair/coat type
• The blades tend to be jiggled around in transit. Adjust the blade setting if upon first use, it doesn’t clip

For a kit that provides you with everything you need in full body clipping and trimming, the Wahl Clipper Pet-Pro Dog Grooming Kit seems to offer more.

Colored attachment guards help you identify which size you need in a flash. That saves you a lot of time in the long run. These clippers also feature self sharpening blades for snag-free cutting, making you feel like a professional in no time.

Another awesome feature of these clippers is the adjustable taper level that makes blending and fading so much easier. And you thought only your groomer could achieve that. Saving up to $80 on trips to the groomer? Yes, please! Don’t forget to clean them after every use!

Andis 22340 ProClip 2-Speed Clippers

Pros:

• Has extremely low vibration and is very quiet
• Does not heat up like other clippers
• Durable, shatter-proof housing

Cons:

• Although sturdy, these clippers tend to be slightly heavy
• The clippers randomly got louder mid cut
• It takes half an hour to let it cool off once it does heat up (rarely)

The Andis 22340 ProClip 2-Speed is one sturdy grooming essential you don’t want to miss. With multiple blade options, you can easily get the results you’re aiming for.

Changing its blades won’t be a challenge as the blades come off easily, and it comes with three speed options you can choose from, depending on your needs: single speed, 2-speed and 5-speed. No more scaring your pup at the sound of the clippers turning on as these are very quiet.

These clippers are also proven to be perfect for curly coats (Poodle and Bichon-Frise) which are relatively difficult to groom let alone maintain. These clippers work great on fur that is very thick, wiry and fluffy. Efficient cutting and grooming are guaranteed with these clippers, although they can be on the higher price range.

Bojafa Dog Grooming Clippers Kit

Pros:

• Comes with high quality titanium blades, resulting to quality performance
• Easily change and clean detachable blades for safer, spotless cleaning
• Can be used effortlessly and is easy to handle

Cons:

• Takes about 4 hours or so to completely charge
• A lot of issues with batteries but get resolved when sending replacement/s
• No indication if it’s fully charged as the red light does not turn off

A complete grooming kit that comes with clippers, scissors, nail clippers, combs and even a cleaning brush, the Bojafa Dog Grooming Clippers Kit is quite underrated.

First, the aesthetics provided will keep you feeling chic as you do your grooming duties. Then the low noise, low vibration and lightweight makes grooming easy breezy- no scaring your furry friend while you’re doing your business. It also does not get hot as you’re using it, which can be another source of fear you don’t want your pup to go through.

Grooming several pups with different hair/coat lengths and types is also made easy because of 3,6,9 and 12mm combs included in the kit that can make cutting and trimming with different depths easier. As for the low price, don’t let it fool you as the quality is excellent.

Your pup’s grooming is an important part of his health and should never be overlooked. Grooming him yourself can be a worthwhile activity you both can look forward to with the right tools and the right amount of patience. Now that you know more about grooming your furry friend, what his needs are, and how to make it a pleasant experience for you both, you can skip the trips to the groomer altogether.