What is the Correct Clipper Size for Cutting Dogs With Long Hair?

Part of owning and caring for a long-haired dog is maintaining the dog's coat or fur. Most long-haired dogs need to be regularly clipped. This removes any mats or tangles that might have formed in the coat and keeps a dog's hair healthy throughout the year. Using the right size clippers is important to ensure a good cut, resulting in a healthy coat.

  1. Research

    • Before you purchase clippers, research how your dog's hair needs to be cut. Visit websites that relate to the breed, and look at photos that can serve as examples of the breed's standards. Breeding club websites are also a good resource on how a dog's coat should be clipped. Find a dog groomer to ask questions prior to cutting or for a grooming demonstration.

      Also, get informed about clipper blades. Clipper blades have a bottom blade, or comb, and a top blade, which is the cutting blade. More than 20 types of blades are available to groom a dog. They vary in size, as well as in use; some blades are available to do blending work or are more ideal for course-coated breeds. Finishing blades create a smoother surface, while wide blades are better for larger breeds. Surgical blades are also used on some breeds, such as poodles, for a finer cut. A general rule to follow is the lower the blade number, the longer the cut, and the higher the blade number, the shorter the cut.

    Preparation

    • Preparing to cut a dog's hair is key to a successful groom. Start cutting the dog's hair early, even as a puppy, so he gets used to the process. Make these first clipping sessions short. As the dog becomes used to the process, you can use more time to get a proper cut. Handle the dog's feet, tail, belly and ears often, so that it is used to being touched in these sensitive spots. This can make grooming in these areas easier. Brush and bathe your dog prior to clipping to remove shedding hair, loose dirt, tangles and dead hair.

    Cutting

    • When cutting a dog's hair, cut against the natural grain of the hair. If the hair is cut with the grain, the remaining hair will be longer than intended. That means if you're cutting with a No. 7 blade, cutting against the grain leaves the hair about 1/8 inch long. Cutting with the grain leaves the hair about 1/4 inch long. Start with a more inconspicuous area on the dog to get a feel for how the clippers work. Adjust the blade size if too much or too little hair is being taken off. Move in long, smooth strokes across the coat. Stop cutting if the dog becomes agitated or restless.

    Safety

    • Remembering safety rules is important to protect the groomer and the dog. Always make sure the blades of the clipper are sharp prior to cutting to avoid pulling a dog's hair. Periodically turn off the clipper so that it does not get too hot. Hot clipper blades can burn a dog's skin. Lay the blade on a metal surface, and wait for a few minutes for the clippers to cool down. You can use coolant to cool down blades, or if possible, switch the blades out for a new pair until the hot blades cool.