Detailed (and lengthy!) general grooming questions

[Eric & Rufus]

The other day I posted a thread and pictures concerning my first attempt at grooming Rufus, and my dissatisfaction with the job I did on his face - especially his ears. I got a lot of helpful and encouraging responses (Thank you!), but I'm still not sure on the correct or easiest method of shaping his face. Plus, I've come up with some additional questions that I either couldn't find the answer to by searching the forum or that I still need more clarification on. So, I am going to ask some specific and probably very basic questions - I hope I don't sound like too much of an idiot!

Also, and I should have warned and apologized earlier, but I am a long-winded writer with lots of questions. Feel free to ignore me when you get tired of it! On the other hand, I'm equally as long-winded and thorough when answering someone else's questions or explaining something (which I happen to think is a good thing). :)

(1) Stephanie suggested using clippers and the same comb attachment that I used on Rufus' body to do his ears. I really like the sound of that because it sounds simple. Unfortunately, I got into the trouble I did with his ears because I had seen a video where the inside of the ear flap was clippered. I started grooming his ears by doing that, and that is when I ended up losing all the length. Maybe when I was clippering the inside of the ear flap I wasn't supposed to go all the way to the edge? If that is right, what about when clippering the outside of the ear flap?

If I can do the outside of his ears with the clipper and comb attachment, that'll be great. If not, it was also suggested I "layer" the hair, but I'm not sure how that is accomplished?

(2) After making his ears shorter than planned, I did try and shorten up his mustache and beard more than originally planned also (in order to try and balance it out). I initially used the curved shears to cut his mustache to length, but of course that left an awful scissor mark so I then used the thinning shears on just the ends of the mustache to make it look more natural. Is this the correct method, or should I just use the thinning shears for the whole job?

(3) Speaking of thinning shears, what is the correct way to use them? I only used them perpendicular to the hairs and only near the ends of the hairs. If I want to thin the bulk of his mustache and the area that I call his "cheeks" (in front of the ears and behind the muzzle, kind of alongside and under the eyes), should I use the thinning shears perpendicular to the hair growth but up higher from the ends? I've read a few posts by Nancie & Gracie Doodle that state to use the thinning shears parallel to the hairs. If I want to thin Rufus' mustache and cheeks, does that mean just hold the thinning shears with the points toward the ground and start cutting at the thickness of those areas? I'm afraid to cut anywhere away from the ends!

(4) In regards to Rufus' beard, I wasn't really sure where to stop clippering while doing his throat, so I clippered all the way up his throat and under a large portion of his chin. His beard is now almost like a "U" shaped thick line that follows his bottom jawline. I guess this isn't really a question, just looking for comments.

(5) I've seen several suggestions on the web to shave a "channel" from ear to ear underneath the neck. Do a lot of you follow that? What blade/comb length are we talking about doing that clippering with? Along the same lines, I've seen suggestions that in order to cut down on matting I can clipper right behind the ears, the front arm pits, and the front of the back legs where they meet the body. I didn't do that, but I'm interested in anything that cuts down on matting! Anyone here do that, and if so, what length is that clippering done at?

(6) Concerning clipper blades and combs, what are anyone's thoughts on a blade versus a comb of the same length. I'm thinking about getting the 3/4HT blade, which cuts to 3/4". My reason is that I understand a blade gives a smoother cut than a comb and will go through the hair easier. Is this correct? On the flip side, I would think the 3/4" comb attachment would be a lot cooler. What should my preference be?

As a side note, anyone find anything longer than the 3/4HT blade? I know they use to make them...

Thanks again, in advance!

[Eric & Rufus]

Thanks Lynda. You're definitely right about the beard, I keep a towel on the ground in front of Rufus' bowl and we go through a couple hand towels a day. For now anyways, I like the look of the long beard enough to put up with the mess, that may change later!