Best clippers?

[Amy & Bernie]

We groom Bernie at home and we're in the market for new clippers. The ones we've been using were donated by a friend (they're human clippers) and worked fine until recently, they seem to have either dulled beyond repair or the change in Bernie's coat (thickening) as he leaves puppyhood makes them pretty useless.

We want to get a good, basic set that won't cost an arm and a leg. Based on his hair type we think he needs something reasonably heavy duty. And honestly we wish they just sold clippers and attachments separately because we don't do anything fancy, he gets the same length all over and then a little trimming with shears around his eyes. He's super cute so 'basic' works for us!

If anyone can recommend a brand that will work well with his thicker coat, we'd appreciate it, if it happens to be reasonably priced - we'll owe you big time!

 

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

Have you read through the grooming section?  All the info you need is probably already there.  Everyone seems to have

a preferred brand, though.  Yes, clippers do come with a blade as a rule, and you can also purchase extra blades and

attachments separately, probably even for your human brand.  Check out petedge online (might be under petsedge) and read all you can.  You might be surprised with the info.  Good luck!

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

I forgot to add that there are replacement parts available for some of the clippers.  I just replaced a part that goes inside my Andis clipper that was running slow and sluggishly.  It only costs a couple of dollars for the part and it works like new.  Maybe your clipper is similar and could easily and inexpensively be repaired.  I also have a couple of older Oster clippers which I love and am going to fix up like new.  In my mind the cost of one clipper set  is less than the cost of sending my dogs out to a professional groomer two times.  And some of the groomers in our area charge two or three times the cost of a new  clipper set.

 

 

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I always recommend the basic Andis  clipper. The clipper can easily be repaired if some parts become worn. Blades should be sharpened regularly. I mail mine to a certified repair/sharpening business. If you go to this link you can see the basic clipper and on the bottom of the description is an exploded view of the clipper and a parts list.

http://canada.andis.info/productsPopup.asp?id=248&Lang=EN

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have the basic  2 speed Andis clipper and a number of blades for it. I groom my two LD's plus a bunch of others and some have very thick coats. it does the job. The ceramic edge blades for it coat a bit more but stay sharp longer. I need to have my other blades sharpened and that could be what has happened to your other clipper--the blades might be dull now.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

Hi Amy I use an Andis clipper with attachment combs on my doodles and it works great.  I haven't mastered it by any means but its working OK so far.  I think the clipper was about $130 on Amazon and the combs were about $25-30. It costs me about $60-70  to have each of the them groomed so I figure after a few months they have paid for themselves.   Petedge also has good prices.  PS, How was class?

[Amy & Bernie]

Hi all, and thanks for your help! We went with Andis clippers for medium duty grooming. The people at Petsmart assured us we could bring them back as long as we saved our receipt - so we went with a moderately priced pair, just under $50 on sale, to see if they'd do the job without a greater investment. They worked great! We couldn't believe how much better they were than our human clippers. The major difference, the blade itself was much more heavy duty, with noticeably larger teeth set further apart.

Bernie's leg and foot hair had never been trimmed, other than a hack job with scissors at one point because of mats. So I was READY to get that old, dingy hair off and start fresh. Plus he's been so hot lately with the weather warming up.

The trim he got last night was a lot closer than he'll get normally, but like I said, we wanted to start fresh with new, clean, mat free hair for spring! Now he's all legs, nose and tail again...he doesn't know he looks a little silly, but it will grow out, and in the meantime he's prancing all over the house letting the breeze run across his body =)

[Kate C Pappas]

Bernie! You are the cutest Doodle! The "Y" Girls are drooling.

[Amy & Bernie]

That's so sweet! Thank you =)

[Kate C Pappas]

I love Andis clippers and recently upgraded to the Andis AGC-L. They have 2 speeds and a LIGHT!!! Additionally I have some Andis clippers with a 1" wide blade and a LIGHT! You haven't lived until you have lighted clippers.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for this extremely helpful reply. I've done a search for clippers and the responses have not been specific. I just want someone to tell me what to look for. There are so many options that a non-specific reply has not been helpful. I know that is my issue, but I am just so grateful for a real answer to the question.

[Dori & Rua]

Thanks for asking the question.  I have been THINKING that perhaps I would be able to groom Rua.  She is small, and while it doesn't cost more than $60 to do her, I think I could tackle her.  I have been getting her used to the Dremel for her nails and as long as I hold her and DH does it nails, she is accepting it OK.  I got out the Wahl clippers I used on my DH before, and turned them on and just brought them near her.  They I laid touched them to her side and then just removed a few wisps.  She was just fine.  Since she seems to be OK, so far, I think I'll look into Andis clippers. 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I had the Oster A5 and recently replaced them with the Andis Ultra Edge 2-speed.  It is like night and day.  They are easier to hold (not as clunky) and quieter and smoother and they cut soooo much better.  My neighbor has the A5s as well and she did her Springer Spaniels and had razor tooth marks.  I loaned her my Andis to try out and it was amazing how it cleaned up all the razor marks.  She has since ordered the Andis clippers!!!!