Buying Clippers, blades, and combs; which lenght should I get. Oster clippers and blades?

[Lizeh Garcia]

Hello everyone,

I have never had a dog in my life, but now I have a beautiful four month old goldendoodle.  Prior to getting her I had done tons of research and read two books specifically on Goldendoodles, but I have to say it is very different reading about a breed than actually having one, that and the fact that I have never had nor been around dogs! LOL.

So, I have decided that I want to learn to do my own grooming but I do not know what blades and combs to get.  My breeded told me to get the Oester A5 professional clippers, blades 10 and 3, and combs for the clippers.  Does this sound about right, or should I get other blades too?

Thank you

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Congrats on your new doodle and choosing to be a home groomer! I have always groomed Winnie myself, and have to say that I find it very fun and rewarding. 

I'm not familiar specifically with the Oster clipper that you mentioned. I use the Wahl Arco Se found here  http://www.amazon.com/Wahl-8786-451A-Professional-Cordless-Clipper/...

I like several things about this product- it's quiet, cordless and doesn't get hot. Plus, it comes with the comb attachments that you would need. Because I like a longer look, I don't pay much attention to the blade numbers as I always use a long comb attachment anyway. Check it out!  :-)

[Leita Hagemann]

hi! Congrats! I too had little to no experience with dogs and read many many books on both golden doodles and dogs in general. I made the decision to groom our pup, Denali, when he was about the same age as your little one. I do have a little experience with grooming tools since I worked in a grooming facility for about a year. I prefer to use the Andis 5 speed. I have a 10 (which comes with the clippers), 30, 3F and a 3/4 blade. I prefer the blades as opposed to combs but thats a preference. Also we like to keep the face pretty tight as opposed to the beard which is what the 3F is for but in hindsight i think i would have gotten a 4F. the 30 I use under the combs if i use them but for his body I use the 3/4 blade. I can't find a link I apologize. I like the shorter look and it makes it easy to maintain. the tool I find most useful it the two sided comb. one side is wide toothed and the other half is fine toothed. here is a link http://www.petco.com/product/124878/Four-Paws-Magic-Coat-Pet-Comb.a...

this tool has been priceless. I hope your grooming experience goes well. let us know what you end up going with and post pictures of your little pup. also you should join some groups on FB. Goldendoodles rock and doodle family are great groups

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I use (and love) the Andis Proclip AGC 2-speed clipper. It's quiet running, stays cool in the hand and is a real work horse. I find I use the highest speed almost exclusively. Rather than lots of different blades, I only use a 30 blade with Wahl stainless steel comb attachments. I bought the boxed set which is real handy to keep comb attachments organized. I use almost all the combs for different parts of the body. I find the combs go through my curly coated doodles nice and smoothly. I had originally bought different length blades, but found they didn't go through their hair.

For sanitary areas, paw pads and some face work, I use a human grade Panasonic cordless trimmer (cost about $80) that uses a smaller fixed blade ('Fixed' only means that the blade is screwed in. You can still replace the blade.) The trimmer came with 1 double-sided comb attachment. I love the trimmer and have used it for years. I'd advise you not bother with a pet trimmer, as the inexpensive Andis one I first bought only lasted about a year.

Good luck, and welcome to the world of DIY grooming!

[Lizeh Garcia]

Thank you for your suggestions everyone! I am going to buy the clippers and will attempt to groom her right away! Wish me luck :-)