Best Dog Clippers for Poodles 2020 [Safe & Easy to Use]

Chloe is a cuddly, sweet poodle that I adopted after my friend could no longer take care of her. She is very well trained, except for that she barks and whines every time someone stops paying attention to her. I love her though, and she has become an important part of my family. Are you looking for the best clippers for your Poodle? then read on…

When my friend asked me to take Chloe, I was more than happy to. I had been thinking about getting a dog anyway, but just hadn’t found the time to go to the shelter. But I was not prepared for the cost of owning a dog. I knew that I would need to buy her food and toys, but what really started adding up too quickly was the cost of grooming. So, I took to the internet to start doing some research, and I decided to buy my own set of dog clippers to help cut down on the cost. Here is what I found out.

Reviews of the Best Dog Clippers for Poodles 2020

Why Is It Important to Find the Best Clippers for Poodles?

Poodles and poodle-mixes (like Labradoodles) have a different type of coat than some other dogs. They have a coat made of long, curly hair instead of fur. The curly hair gets matted easily, and the cheap clippers that you can get at pet stores or Wal-mart just aren’t sharp enough to cut through their hair.

Besides having matted hair, poodles also traditionally have hair of several different lengths on their bodies. You will need a pair of clippers that comes with multiple attachments or blade sizes to make sure that you can get the length of the hair right.

Are Poodles Double coated like Shih Tzu?

No! unlike Shih Tzu who has a double coat, Poodles only have a single layered coat, without an inner coat (which makes the double coat). Normally this would mean that you wouldn’t need the best fur clippers with the highest amount of torque, but since you have to consider the dense curly fur you will need powerful professional clippers with low heat emission and vibration.

The Difference Between Dog Clippers and Human Clippers

Some people might wonder why they can’t just use human clippers on their animals. There are two main parts of clippers, the motor, and the blade, and there are significant differences between these parts on clippers made for humans instead of dogs.

Human clippers usually have slower motors because humans do not have as much fur as dogs. The slower motors are not strong enough to get through dogs’ fur, and they can actually pull your dog’s skin into the blade causing cuts on their delicate skin.

So, do yourself and your dog a favor by buying a set of clippers specially designed for pets. Trust me when I say that you don’t want to be responsible for several cuts along your dog’s skin.

What to Look for in Clippers for Poodles

What to do about clipper Blades Getting Too Hot

One of the most common complaints about dog clippers is that the blade gets too hot too quickly. Every manufacturer will say that they have designed clippers that don’t get hot as soon as the other ones, but every clipper eventually gets hot because of the friction created when the two blades run against each other. The good news is that there are some things that you can do to combat heat on your clippers.

Some clippers come with a ceramic blade instead of one made with stainless steel. Ceramic does not get as hot as fast, but it probably won’t be as strong as stainless steel either. Alternatively, stainless steel blades are often treated with anti-heat coatings. Buying the right blade is the first step to protecting your dog from blade burns.

The next step to preventing hot blades is taking care of the blades and clippers themselves. Clippers should be regularly cleaned with a cleaning solution specially made for them. Blades should also be lubricated with clipper oil each time you use them, and possibly multiple times throughout one grooming session.

Multiple pet Clipper Lengths and Sizes of Poodle Hair Clipper Blades

Poodles were bred to be water retrievers, so they were explicitly groomed for water-based activities. The lower half of their body was specifically cut shorter so that the wet hair would not become heavy enough to drag them down. Longer hair was left around the ribs, heads, and joints to prevent organ issues that could be an effect of cold water and arthritis. A topknot was added to their head to keep the hair out of their eyes while they swam.

Modern dog owners are usually not using their dog for the same water-related activities as the days of old. However, if your poodle is competing in dog shows or competitions, they are usually restricted to one of two traditional hairstyles that leave longer and shorter hair in different areas.

Many dog owners are choosing a puppy cut or similar style that leaves the hair the same length throughout. However, because of the fast-growing hair that poodles have, this grooming style can get matted a lot more easily. Matted hair has been known to cause skin problems and make grooming more difficult.

The blades that you need will depend on the style and length that you want your poodle to have, so it is ultimately up to you. But if you are not sure where to start here is our recommendation. You will need a size 7F or a 4F for finishing. Most clippers will come with a size 10 blade, and that or a size 15 blade will work well for clipping the feet and base of the tail. A size 30 blade is perfect for use with a 1 inch, or ¾ inch attachment comb. You may also want a set of grooming shears for perfect final touches.

One thing that you should keep in mind is that the blades on most clippers are universal. That means that if you buy a set of clippers from Wahl, but eventually decide to get an Andis set; you can still probably use your Wahl blades on the Andis set and vice versa. As long as they are both detachable clippers, the blades will work on both.

Different Speed Settings for brand vs model

You do need to understand that different speed settings will work differently. For example, higher speeds will automatically create more friction, causing your clippers to heat up faster. Keeping this in mind, you may want to use the higher speeds at intervals, with slower speeds in between to give your blades some time to cool off. But that requires changing blades several times, so you will need to experiment to find the system that works best for you.

Corded vs. Cordless Clippers

Whether you decide to get a cordless or corded clipper will depend on personal preference and your grooming space. It is essential to choose a comfortable area for both you and your dog because you will be there for a while. Your pet might move around, so you need to make sure that they are stable as well. However, if the space you are grooming in is far away from an outlet, you will be frustrated with continuously having to move the cord.

The most apparent benefit of corded clippers is that they have continuous power so they won’t die out or slow down (unless it is time for the drive motor to be replaced), but another benefit is that they tend to have more power. Because they are not relying on batteries, they are stronger and faster than cordless clippers. They do not need to be charged, and there are no batteries to replace. As long as you get clippers that have a long enough cord, somewhere in the 12-14-foot range, you should be able to maneuver around your poodle without getting the cord tangled.

SPM and Torque of the animal clipper

SPM is the strokes per minute, which is a measurement of how fast the blades on the clippers are moving. The more strokes per minute, the quicker you will be able to groom your dog. Higher SPM can get hot more quickly than lower speeds, but they are also hopefully getting more accomplished in the time that it takes them to heat up.

SPM is not the only thing you should consider when you are buying clippers for your poodle. It doesn’t matter how fast the blades are moving if they are not powerful enough to cut through your dog’s hair. That is where torque comes in. In order to cut efficiently, you need a clipper that has a high SPM, enough torque, and sharp blades.

Ergonomics of dog clippers

An important consideration is your comfort. It will not be worth saving money on grooming costs if you end up feeling miserable every time you groom your poodle. All clippers are going to seem reasonably lightweight at first, but after holding them for three hours, you will quickly realize how much difference a few ounces can make. Finding a lightweight clipper is only half the battle.

Some clippers are going to be better for different people because of the size of their hands. Many clippers are designed small so that they are comfortable for people with little hands. But groomers with large hands often find these difficult to hold on to. You should get a clipper that fits your hand comfortably.

Vibration is another vital ergonomics issue, that seems to be worse in cordless clippers. Your hand will tire out much quicker if it is continually vibrating with the movement of the clippers. Similarly, if you have to apply more pressure to get through thick fur, your hand will begin aching very quickly.

What Type of Clippers Should I Use on My Poodle with Matted Fur/Thick fur?

Tips for Safely Grooming a Poodle

Prepping to Make Grooming Easy

Before you begin, you should also prep the clippers themselves. Make sure that the blades are clean and oiled and use a cooling spray to help make sure they don’t heat up too fast. In addition, you should make sure that you are prepared and know exactly how long you want your dog’s hair in different areas. Don’t try to figure it out as you go because you and your dog will both become frustrated before you can finish.

How to Groom a Poodle with Clippers: Important Tips

Conclusion