Clipper Questions

[Nancy Sunderland]

1) I have an Andis clipper; (Andis AGRC Power Groom Clipper) to be exact
2) It came with a number 10 blade
3) I have various attachemtments also, the largest of which is 1/2 inch

OK, this is my question; if I want to keep the coat trimmed at TWO inches long all year round except in the summer, then I want to go down to 1 inch, how do I do that? In other words, which blade and which attachment comb to I need, or what setting to I use? Any help would be greatly appreciated! (I plan on doing all my own doodle grooming)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hi Nancy,

I have been playing around with the idea of grooming Gracie Doodle my self. I did last month and was rather successful. I have the Oster A5 which is comparable. It is a two speed and I use the highest. I have the plastic combs that go up to 1". I used a #10 blade and a 1" comb and that took her down from about 2" of hair to 1". I wanted her even shorter since we were having a heat wave and Gracie runs on HOT all the time, so I now use the 3/4" blade. It worked quite well and everyone thought she looked very professional. You do have to keep your wrist angle the same so there are no "divots" in the hair. If you sort of tilt and dig down with the comb you cut into the hair deeper. This is sort of hard to do since the body has lumps and bumps!! Also, I went with the growth of the hair. If you go against it I think it takes it down another 1/4-1/2" (I could be wrong with the exact measurement).

Yesterday I had her professionally groomed by our groomer...again another heat wave in San Diego!!!! I had asked her what blade/comb she used. I had to sort of be careful to not give her the impression I was going to start doing my own grooming and make her think she was losing a customer. I told her about DoodleKisses and our discussion group and how we all were interested in knowing all the stuff. She said she uses a 1" plastic comb on Gracie and an "A" blade and that would take her to 1". I was told the same thing by another groomer once. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate an "A" blade. It is available to only Groomers. I did tell her I had tried to locate one but she didn't offer to order one for me. Instead she said to get a #15 or #40 blade and use it with the 1" comb. You achieve the same thing but they go through the hair easier. I do notice with the #10 blade that there are times the clippers sort of grab the hair. Could be what she is talking about. I am still unclear as to why a #15 or #40 blade when you have a 1" comb. I guess it must just be the ease of use because they can't make the cut any shorter because they are protected by the 1" comb. Also, the clippers get very hot but luckily the Doodle doesn't feel it because of the plastic comb which is the only part going against the skin. You will feel it though. I haven't really worked on Gracie with the blade only where you would do the "sanitary" or tummy. I am not comfortable yet with the "bare" blade and the soft skin. I just get my scissors out for those areas. Also, I watched the DVD that came with my clippers or you can buy one at PetSmart. They do emphasize that the "hanging skin" areas you have to be very careful with when using the clippers. Those areas would be the flappy skin under the arms and the "stiple" (ha,ha, I Googled once the skin flap area between the tummy and back legs). I guess you would call it the back arm pit!! I still haven't really figured out how to do the legs properly. I am told most Groomers scissor cut them. I just shortened hers up with the blade/comb and then later when she was tired, I sat down with scissors and did the underneath of her feet around the pads. Others use a #40 and just cup the paw in their hand and sort of "scoop" out the fur between the pads. I am too afraid I will catch on something. I do most of the scissor work when she is tired and sleeping on the floor. Also, be sure to check between her toes because they get little mats down in there. Since they have webbed feet (at least mine does), you have to be very careful when ever you cut with scissors that the skin has not been drawn up into the mat. Always pinch it to make sure there is no skin. This is also true with any mats on their body. The worse the mat, it starts pulling the skin into it. It is sometimes a two day project for me. I also use the scissors on her face, head and ears. I never touch her tail...it is a beautiful Plume!!!

The good thing is that all of this hair grows back! I started conservatively but the second time I went a little more and started feeling a bit more confident. The first time I did her she looked like a moth had spent the night chewing on her! That was because of the wrist action and I took too many divots. Some of them you can correct with thinning scissors.

Oh yes, before you start, make sure you have a clean Doodle and that you have brushed and combed all the tangles and mats out.

My Gracie is a GoldenDoodle and doesn't have really thick or dense hair. She is wavy and soft so the biggest problem I have with grooming her is that the hair is so soft that it lays down flat as I take the clippers down her. I have to stop and brush her hair up sometimes.

Good luck and just remember...it will always grow back and never laugh or let them know if you "goofed" up a little. Our Doodles are very sensitive to our emotions and they are proud beings.

Nancie and Gracie Doodle

PS I got most of my advice through this discussion group. I print out things I want to remember. You might want to take an hour or so and go back through past discussion. It is all there and wonderful tips and advice.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Wow Nancy...a very good lengthy answer with lots of great information. I will add a couple of things. The higher the number on the blade, the shorter the length of hair. A # 40 is also called a surgical blade. The hair does not stick in this blade, so when used with a snap on comb, you get a smoother run than you would with a #10. I also like the 40 for inside the feet.

Two people could use the exact same blades and get entirely different results due to the different textures of the coat. If you have a straighter fleece coat like you are describing, then you can use the extension and they do a good job, the biggest challenge being the hair lying down. If you have a coat on the opposite end of the textures, ie a wool coat that stands on its own until really long, you cannot use an extension. They just will not go thru these coats even if you brush, comb, bath and fluff [table dry straight]. These coats need to be scissored to get the same effect. The inbetween coats may come out different lengths from dog to dog.
Safety
Just a quick note about scissors versus clippers. It is much safer to shave than use scissors at any time. It is very easy to clip those delicate areas with skin flaps with scissors. When I was at grooming school, the only one to cut a dog was the teacher. Very awful for the dog and embarrassing for her. She cut a dog on that loose skin flap under the front leg. Clippers can give a razor burn, not fun for the dog, but neither are stitches and if you accidentally cut an ear, they bleed and bleed as it is hard to stop. Flip ear on to top of head and wrap with gauze around and around the head and throat, apply some pressure with your hand and go to the vet. A small dog and loose a big volume of blood quickly, so it is an emergency.

[Nancy Sunderland]

The breeder tells me that my puppy has a wavy to curly fleece coat. If I want a two inch length (at some point); which combination of blade and comb should I use? Also, it sounds like I should invest in a #40 blade?

[Nancy Sunderland]

Another question: What are "thinning shears" used for, and should I get a pair?