Best clippers for double coated dogs

[Xoetix]

Yes I know you shouldn’t shave a double coat. Sherlock is getting older though, and he’s having some trouble with… everything, kinda. Don’t wanna talk about it. It makes me sad and I’m not ready to look at that too closely.

He needs shaving, and the clippers I’ve got just cannot get through the coat. Anyone have any good recommendations for heavy duty clippers?

 

[Emma&pico]

Just to say he’s gorgeous

 

[iamwhoiam]

What size blade are you using?

 

[Xoetix]

What size blade are you using?

I’ve gone through all the ones that came with my clippers I have - 12mm, 10, 8, and 6. Per his DNA testing, he’s a Pomeranian/American Eskimo mix so he’s like 87% fluff.

 

[Xoetix]

Just to say he’s gorgeous

He’s my grumpy little old man and I love him a lot

 

[Shezbug]

Can you just use scissors and take a longer time trimming?

 

[Xoetix]

Can you just use scissors and take a longer time trimming?

I probably could, to at least get it short enough for clippers… but I don’t wanna It would take a REALLY long time.

 

[Shezbug]

I probably could, to at least get it short enough for clippers… but I don’t wanna It would take a REALLY long time.

Bonding time for you and the pup lol

 

[Toy]

Are you planning on keeping him clipped short or just clipping him now & then letting his coat grow back out? Keep in mind double coats may not grow back the same. A good dematting spray, slicker brush & comb should be able to work out the mats...yes I know lots of time involved, but at least it'd save his coat.

A set of clippers you'd need would be a professional dog groomer type. They may cost around $200.00. Best brands would be Whal, Andis, Oster. Keep in mind you want clippers for dogs, not people. The ones for dogs will have a stronger motor.

This Andis brand is what many groomers use, it comes with a #10 blade. A #10 used with the grain (neck to tail) of the coat would let about 1/4 inch or so of hair, maybe more. Against the grain (clipped from tail to neck) his skin may show:

https://www.amazon.com/Andis-Detachable-Professional-Grooming-22360/dp/B0018KVI5M/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_2/131-9508344-4365810?pd_rd_w=bXudt&content-id=amzn1.sym.116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_p=116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_r=2HQ4NZFKSQJ0921957PF&pd_rd_wg=B0JZB&pd_rd_r=35689efe-e590-4079-9e97-c83d5457df16&pd_rd_i=B0018KVI5M&psc=1

Also many clippers/blades will not cut thru dirty hair, so if your dog is really matted & dirty it will mat worse when washed, and it will be hard to get clean & dry to clip. You should clip from base of neck to base of tail, in that direction. Less chance of catching skin in the blade.

A second option would be take him to a groomer to be brushed out. Many vets do not have grooming skills, so he might come back looking pretty scruffy. Some do have in office groomers, which would work.

 

[Xoetix]

A good dematting spray, slicker brush & comb should be able to work out the mats

He’s not matted, he’s just old and is having a hard time with stuff - I know shaving a double coated dog is not recommended, but for him right now it’s the best option

 

[Pixiebeak]

I'm so glad to see recommendations. I have one fig who's fur is like wool ! It Matt's seconds after brushing and I've burned through so many clippers! I absolutely need to clip as it's the only way to manage. His mom might have had Pomeranian in her ...I swear that breed hair is nuts

 

[Zara]

I used to cut my chows hair, but it was only a trim and I did it all by hand with scissors.

Can you not take him to get a shave at a professional groomers and then you just keep on top of it?

 

[Xoetix]

I used to cut my chows hair, but it was only a trim and I did it all by hand with scissors.

Can you not take him to get a shave at a professional groomers and then you just keep on top of it?

As he's gotten older, he's gotten a lot less tolerant of grooming, and he has a hard time standing that long. I figure if anyone takes a nip due to his attitude it should be me rather than an innocent person

 

[iamwhoiam]

If he is matted you can use Cowboy Magic detangler. I was actually surprised how well this works. https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Magic-Detangler-and-Shine/dp/B000A6XGY6?th=1
I've also used Well and Good detangling spray.
I like Andis and Oster clippers. I try to avoid scissor clipping due to the risk of cutting the skin.
Had that happen the last time I groomed Caleb. Was just trying to even out areas of fur after using
the Oster, Caleb moved and I nicked some skin on his leg.
A #10 blade is the best for cutting through matted fur.

 

[SunnySandi]

First of all, what a beautiful boy!

Personally I’d say thinning shears would do wonders on longer fur and keeping the length equal without damaging the undercoat, thinners/chunkers are also much more forgiving when it comes to choppiness. For a sanitary trim, which I feel is what you’re getting at with wanting him clipped? That’s not as dramatic as a full coat shave.

Like you could easily scissor down the back end and tail to make it more tidy. But if you determined to clip, which for an older dog I can’t say I disagree with, right now I’m using these clippers from Amazon Oneisall Clippers They are very much budget clippers, but have 2 speeds, has an adjustable blade length, are cordless and come with very sharp scissors. The lower speed gets through my terrier mix’s feathery coat. And the second, higher speed gets through my poodles puppy coat. The charge lasts awhile, they are very quiet as far as clippers go. The blade does get hot pretty quick using the higher speed, so if you’re going sani short, be mindful of that.

You’d probably need to use the higher speed to get through dense coat, I also recommend the same as the folks above to prep the coat well prior to clipping, a good bath, good conditioning and brush out will make clipping much easier and also remove some bulk.

But best of luck with your boy! <3