Having a professional cut your dog’s hair can be expensive and many people are happy to use their own dog clippers to get the job done. However, this leads them to a decision about what kind of clippers or shears are right for the job. The decision is a little more complicated than you might think. There are numerous stores offering these tools. Each of them has a great variety of options. You may need to look at your dog and try to figure out exactly which model of dog clippers would be best for him or her. There are accessories to consider as well. Finally, once you have the tool that you need, you will need to know how to go about clipping your dog’s hair.
How To Choose Dog Clippers
Look at your dog. You have probably done this plenty of times but now you should look at his or her fur. Look at its thickness. Monitor its growth over a few weeks or months.
If the fur is very thick, that is going to have an effect on the type of shears that you buy. You will definitely want to avoid the less expensive kind because you are going to need a strong set of shears to get through that thick hair. Here are specific types of clippers available for thicker fur.
When you think about how fast the fur grows, this will tell you something about the durability of the clippers that you are
Photo Credit: Flickr By toledogirl51
You might be the sort of person who will need a cordless device. If you travel with your dog a lot, you may not always have access to an outlet. If you need to clip him or her for a show and do not have time to find an electrical source, a battery powered pair of shears would come in handy.
Do not forget about some of the accessories that you might need for your dog’s fur. Clippers will often come with a variety of changeable heads to cut longer or shorter pieces of fur. Furthermore, to maintain your shears in good condition and refrain from harming your dog’s skin or coat, then you should also get supplies for maintaining the blades that you will use.
Places To Buy Dog Clippers
Look around for a place to buy a pair of shears or look on the internet. There are some advantages to buying products in either location. If you go to a local store, such as a Petsmart or a Petco, then you will always have a real person nearby to help you if you have problems using the device. Buying over the Internet will allow you a wider selection and a good possibility of getting a lower price than you can find at a chain outlet. Your best bet might be to peruse all the possible locations for the right pair of dog clippers.
If you want more than just a simple set of clippers, the scissors Petsmart or Petco sell would make a nice addition to a set of grooming tools. You can also find extras such as tracking collars and other deterrents to pet escapes. If your dog is part of your career, you might be able to partner with one of these stores for various business solutions beyond the purchase of pet supplies.
Clipper Brands
There are a number of different brands to consider when you are looking at dog clippers. Each brand will have its own specialty use and its own price range. While you can get nearly anything through the Internet, a local pet store may have only a limited selection of brands.
Andis is a popular brand for pet products and they make several types of clippers. They sell a special two-speed model that can adjust to the thickness of your dog’s fur. They also market cordless shears for when you have to cut your dog’s fur on the go. One of their more unique products includes the illuminating clipper. This special device has a tiny flashlight on its head so that you can check your dog for pests and lesions while you cut his or her fur.
Oster is another well-known manufacturer of dog clippers. Many of their models use a universal rotary motor to power their shears through more than one speed. Some of their accessories may attract you as well. They sell scissors and gels as well.
Among the very best brands of trimmers is a company known as ConAir. This maker of canine products sells the Palm Pro Micro. This device is known for its precision cutting and the quiet running of its motor.
Tips For Using Clippers
- Consider tethering your dog to a post to prevent losing a lot of time catching him or her after an escape.
- Put a long enough guard on the blade to keep from hurting your pet while you simultaneously get a deep enough cut.
- The blade will get hot during a long trimming. Take short breaks to avoid burning your dog.
- If and when you encounter mats, remove them gently. Do not just try to bull your way through them with the dog clippers.