Scissor Cut vs Clipper Cut

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I am taking Timbow to be groomed (from 7 1/2" to 2 1/2") and my groomer uses clippers. I have always thought that I would have him groomed with a scissor cut. Is it going to make a huge difference? I've only had mini grooms on him so far (face, belly, feet) and he looks great every time and I feel like my groomer listens to my list of instructions I leave her (yes, I am THAT person..haha). I'm so nervous about his first hair cut and want it to go smoothly for both of us. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

[Joy & Buddy]

Wow, they are both beautiful! Buddy (our daughter named him) is now 13 months old, but in the small picture, he was about 8 months old. I should post a more recent picture of him. I understand that his is a fleece coat (so if a groomer wants to use a clipper, that should be okay). This grooming group is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done without it, as I am in that trying time of mats, mats, mats as Buddy's adult coat has come in. I would have done things differently from 8 months on, if I had understood what I do now!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Be sure to post before and after pictures and let us know which method you used. Gracie Doodle is a very soft wavy fleece so I go with the clippers with the comb. Good Luck!

[Joy & Buddy]

I am about to have Buddy get his first all over cut, and I am very nervous. But he has mats (even though I have worked on them, used Cowboy Magic detangler, etc). Someone in this group said she had a groomer in Riverside CA who did a scissor cut but I can't find that post! I live near to Riverside and would love to find that groomer! Can anyone help? Thanks!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Try starting a discussion asking for the groomer's contact info. That way more people will see it. Good Luck!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

It is our member Nancy, Ned and Clancy who are in Riverside and have the groomer who does the scissor cut. She does a great job.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/profile/nancy?xg_source=profiles_member...

[Joy & Buddy]

Thanks so much!

[Sandie & Matilda]

After my experiences with groomers and clippers I will NEVER leave Matilda alone at the groomers. I will either groom her myself or stay with her to make sure an 'ACCIDENT" does not happen. There are too many groomers in my city that are incompetant and I will not trust anyone.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I can't blame you I wouldn't trust anyone after what happened to you either. It definately taught me never to leave Hunter. My friend has done Hunter for me recently and she came out great so I feel a lot better about that situation. How is Matie doing now?

[Sandie & Matilda]

Thanks Denise. She is feeling okay, but now she scoots everytime she poops. I had her anal gland expressed. This is a pic of her when we went to a dog friendly B & B last week.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Are there directions for scissor cutting on here?
For example, with clippers you go with the direction of the hair.... etc.

I use the hold it up with your fingers method and that is all...I never seem to get it even and then the hair becomes shorter and shorter.

Hard to explain what I am talking about. Let me rethink on how to phrase this.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Hi Joanne, I just had Crestlynn groom Hunter for me and she came out great! It took awhile and I stayed and helped her ~ I wanted to make sure she didn't end up looking like a sheltie LOL She just did her face, ears, feet, belly and rear. She is actually a hairdresser by profession so she is really good at knowing which way to cut so its not choppy -- that's what Hunter looked like when I tried. I think I am going to have her groom her all over in a few weeks with clippers and a 1 1/4 extension - it should look like Barb's photo above. Are you trying to do Spud or Starlit or both? I had a bad experience at LeRay's did I tell you that?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Scissoring a dog's coat is quite different from people hair. First the coat needs to be prepared with a wash and blow dry while brushing. Then you lift the hair with a steel comb and cut.
Having said that, I cheat. I don't want to wash all that coat if I am giving a haircut. I pick a length in my mind and try and cut the body that same length everywhere. Then I brush and cut off the high points left by matts untangling. Then I wash and let dry naturally. Any anomalies are hidden by the coat curl. This works really well on my wool coats. I can use my long blades on my fleece coats after they are washed and blown dry. I still often cut a lot of the coat off with scissors to avoid washing a lot more than is neccessary. This is called roughing out.