Difference Between Dog Shears & Sheep Shears

Shears are used when you want to take the fur from an animal or simply thin the volume of its coat. On a sheep, shearing happens once a year and is turned into fleece or other wool clothing. On dogs, shearing -- or grooming -- is done more often and usually for the purpose of aesthetics because most domesticated dogs live indoors. Both types of shears use a power-driven, toothlike blade that moves back and forth over the comb.

  1. Handle

    • Dog and sheep shears both have cordless and plug-in models. The handle changes depending on the design. If the design is cordless, the handle is bigger and may become hot during use. If the shears plug into the wall, you have less mobility and must change your movements to accommodate the cord. Both types of shears usually have an on/off switch on the handle.

    Comb

    • Combs for dog shears are sized differently to fit the dog's coat and style of cut. The combs are plastic and changeable over the blade. If you are grooming dogs professionally, you need a variety of sizes. The size of the comb dictates the length of the coat. For example, a 1/4-inch comb leaves 1/4 inch of fur on the dog. Sheep shears only have one or two sizes of combs. The coat is either cut to the skin or slightly above it for warmth. The combs are metal and attach to the side of the blade closest to the skin.

    Cutter

    • The cutter on a dog shear is short, with 10 to 15 small, horizontal points on the blade that vibrate back and forth to cut hair. This attaches along the end of the handpiece and the comb clips over it. Sheep shear cutters have four points on the cutter that are shaped like triangles. "Fingers" attach the cutter and handle together, creating tension on the blade. Sheep shears, unlike dog shears, also have a knob that you turn to increase the tension.

    Cost

    • Sheep shears tend to cost more than dog shears. Cheap dog shears can cost as little as $15, while cheap sheep shears are at least $250. For dog shears, the price goes up as the device offers more speeds, combs and power. For sheep shears, the price increases with the number of teeth on the comb (more teeth means the cut is closer to the skin, yielding more wool per sheep).