Two Speed Vs. One Speed Clippers in Dog Grooming

Many dog breeds require regular grooming in order to stay clean, cool and healthy. Owners also groom dogs to prevent shedding and matting. Proper grooming calls for the right tools and equipment, like clippers and blades. Clippers come in two common varieties: one-speed and two-speed. Each style poses common problems like hair pulling, clipper burn, lacerations and motor breakdown.

  1. Hair Pull

    • Pets with matted fur or fluffy coats need powerful clippers to avoid hair pull. One-speed clippers generally lack sufficient power, which slows the clipper speed significantly through thick or matted hair. The clipper then painfully pulls hair through the blades while cutting. As a result, the pet's coat is rough, patchy and uneven and the pet may feels anxious from the experience. Two-speed clippers have more power, resulting in less hair pull and easier cutting through tough areas.

    Clipper Burn

    • Single-speed clippers heat up faster and more often because of their slower speed and the amount of work required to cut through thick coats and mats. Pets find this uncomfortable. In some instances, the clippers cause skin burns. Pain and secondary bacterial infections may develop if the burn is severe enough, necessitating treatment by a veterinarian. When using clippers, it is important to use a coolant spray if the blade is hot to the touch.

    Lacerations

    • Out of necessity, clipper blades are very sharp. When the blades move at high speeds to cut hair, the blades can accidentally nick the dog's skin. One-speed clippers, with their lower cutting speed, pose a smaller likelihood of laceration. Since two-speed clippers cut though tougher areas of fur and thick coats, they are more likely to cut through skin if they get too close. Even a minor cut may need a visit to the vet's office to prevent infection and treat a wound.

    Motor Breakdown

    • Regardless of style, the motor in every clipper needs frequent maintenance to prevent breakdown while in use. In this regard, two-speed and one-speed clippers are equal. Every clipper blade needs to be cleaned after each grooming session to remove any hair, dander or dirt stuck to the blade. When the motor is overworked and producing excess heat, the exposed, moving parts need an application of coolant. Oiling clippers weekly helps keep parts from sticking while in use.