There are lots of reasons why dog owners choose to shave or trim their fur. This happens mostly in hotter climate periods. The rationale behind this is to help dogs through heat spells/waves, where they might get very uncomfortable from the heat. Poodle fur is special and you need the best dog clippers for poodles.
Many poodle owners don’t know that grooming your poodle enhances healthy growth. Well, in case you never knew, now it’s time to get strategies on how to groom your poodle. You can get information on various steps you can use when grooming your poodle. The great thing is that the steps are easy to follow.
The best dog clippers for poodles reviews
In his post, we have reviewed the best dog clippers for poodles. You’ll find out about the strengths and weaknesses and then can make up your own mind which is the best choice for you. If you want to go directly to products, click on the links here:
- Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper for Professional Dog Grooming
- Andis EasyClip Pro-Animal 11-Piece Detachable Blade Clipper Kit
- Oster A5 Two Speed Animal Grooming Clipper with Detachable Cryogen-X
- Wahl Professional Animal Bravura Dog Corded or Cordless Clipper Kit
- Andis 22340 ProClip 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper, Professional Dog Grooming, AGC2
- Wahl Professional Animal ARCO Cordless Clipper Kit Champagne
- Wahl Motion Lithium Ion Clipper, Black, for Dogs
While this is a kindhearted gesture by dog owner, it is worthy of note, that extensive shaving can do the animal more harm than good.
Dogs can suffer sunburns if the protective coat of fur becomes too thin. It is therefore advisable for dog owners to abstain from shaving dogs with short furs.
The reason is, even though it may be hot during the day, it is usually still cold at night, and with no fur for protecting themselves from the cold, most canines tend to develop complications.
By the way, did you know that poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds?
Grooming a poodle
You can choose to groom your poodle yourself, or you can pay a professional to do it for you. Whatever way you choose, it will all be worth it. The first thing to do before poodle grooming is to get the right equipment to ensure the best results. Some of the most crucial equipment include:
- Professional dog clippers for poodle
- Slicker brush
- Dog shampoo or puppy shampoo
- Conditioner
If a professional groomer is doing the grooming for you, then you should not have any worries. Professionals come ready with all the necessary tools like grooming tables that you don’t have at home. I know you want your poodle to look good and unique from any other poodle, right? Do you have any grooming style in mind? If not yet, you need to look for the best grooming styles before starting the process. For the newbies in grooming poodle, make sure that you research the most appropriate poodle grooming styles.
Pro Tip Takeaway: Do you know your poodle’s fur is just as soft as hair? Poodle’s puppy hair shed but gets trapped in their adult hair, making the fur tangle within some time. Therefore, to reduce tangling, grooming is essential.
Grooming a poodle at home
Grooming your poodle is a time-consuming and expensive task. However, if you have limited funds, you can sacrifice time to groom the poodle. Well, grooming a poodle at home is possible. Consider it as an opportunity for you and your poodle to bond. I know you must be wondering; how can I groom a poodle at home? Don’t worry about grooming because you will have all the information you need here.
There are a few steps to follow to ensure you groom your poodle correctly at home.
- Get the space you will be working on ready
- Give your poodle a bathe
- Use a harness to reduce the poodle’s movement
- Begin with grooming the face
- Let the poodle lay down comfortably and in a still manner
- Start trimming the poodle’s tail
- Use a trimmer to make the poodle’s fur even
- Trim the poodle’s nails
- Use a dog’s brush to brush the teeth
ProTip Takeaway: Grooming your poodle at home will take some time, making the poodle feel restrained. Consequently, it is always good to treat your poodle. Please treat it with its favorite snack or what he/she likes doing most at the beginning and the end of the grooming process.
If your poodle is shedding excessively try the best dog food for shedding products.
Grooming a poodle’s face
When selecting a blade to groom your poodle’s face, consider the color of the poodle. If you have a black poodle, its skin is likely to be less sensitive than a white poodle. Begin by trimming the area from underneath the poodle’s ear to the eye to create a line. Use the dog grooming clippers to shave the space inside the poodle’s eyes down to the poodle’s nose.
Now you are set to start shaving its snout from the snout to the poodle’s nose. Then begin shaving the neck. Begin from the chin towards the poodle’s neck. Ensure the poodle’s snout is lifted to make this process easy. Comb the fur above the poodle’s eyes to get a topknot for styling and shaping.
Pro Tip Takeaway: Blades can cause harm to your poodle, especially when you are grooming sensitive parts like the face. Therefore, ensure the blade faces away from the poodle’s eyes.
Below are the reviews of some reliable and efficient clippers for poodles.
Top 7 Best Dog Clippers for Poodles
1. Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper for Professional Dog Grooming
What Andis dog clippers lack in outer design, it makes up for with performance. The device is very durable, strengthened by a fall-resistant and shatterproof casing. The durability of this device is assured.
Unlike the Arco, the 2-Speed is not cordless but has a very long cord that tries to make up for the clipping range. The trade-off for this design is that the cord ensures that the device has power throughout the grooming session.
This is one of the best dog clippers for poodles as it is relatively quiet, but not as much as the Arco below. This is due to the dual motor system. You can choose between 2700 strokes per minute (SPM) for gentler trims, or for the considerably more powerful 3400 SPM option.
Obviously less powerful than the Arco, it is advisable to go slowly, especially if you have little or no experience in grooming poodles.
A major setback of the 2-Speed is the fact that this dog clipper ships with only the #10 blade size, so you have to get other sizes.
This poodle clipper is heavier than the Arco, but still maintains its stellar output and user-centric performance.
Most clippers work for grooming a poodle, but these may be the best dog clippers for poodles, they even advertise their clippers with a poodle model.
2. Andis EasyClip Pro-Animal 11-Piece Detachable Blade Clipper Kit
When choosing the best dog clippers for poodles you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg. These are probably the cheapest device on the list, it provides an absolute ton of value for their price. The EasyClip is a mid-range priced device ideal for both experts and beginners. It can serve as a good beginner grooming kit because of its myriad of extra resources and add-on equipment.
These are basic dog grooming accessories to help guide the beginner on his grooming journey. The clipper has 3,700 SPM, and it is not adjustable. This is enough for an amateur, but a professional will want something that can give cleaner cuts.
This does not in any way insinuate that the EasyClip clipper is not a good choice for professionals. With experience, most professionals will get the desired trim using it.
The argument, in this case, is one of finance. For a low-priced, but efficient clipper, EasyClip is a very good option for both amateurs and professionals.
The dog clipper comes with a hard case and makes carrying all accessories and clippers easy. The major downside to this device is not being able to modify the speed.
The reviews from long-term users of the device attest to the durability and sturdiness of these poodle clippers. It is rare to find mid-range devices with this much value and loads of detachable blades.
3. Oster A5 Two Speed Animal Grooming Clipper with Detachable Cryogen-X
Oster clippers is a brand well known for pro-quality clippers tough enough for poodle hair. This current device has speeds up to 4,000 SPM. To better control the device, sometimes users tend to reduce the speed to about 3,000 SPM
The device comes with a #10 CryogenX blade, but users can purchase a full range of clipper blades from Oster. Oster has wide blade systems that are compatible with this device. Wide blade systems make grooming extra fast as they cover a wider area.
The housing of this clipper is extremely durable and is built to last. The detachable blades are made of pro-grade carbon steel. The stainless steel blades stay sharp.
The only downside to this dog clipper is that it only ships out as a corded clipper. This is a minor setback as wires reduce the mobility of the device.
As regards weight, these hair clippers are heavier than most on the list but don’t cause any noticeable strain on users’ wrist.
4. Wahl Professional Animal Bravura Dog Corded or Cordless Clipper Kit
The biggest selling point of this device is that it has most of the features of the others, with no significant trade-ins in performance. It is the tool of choice for most professional groomers and is an excellent choice for both beginners and professionals.
Interestingly, the speed of the device can be controlled while grooming. This, in essence, means that the user will be able to adjust device speed on the go, to automatically fit any particular session, especially for tangled and thick hair.
This feature enables the user to easily adjust to the different fur textures and thicknesses as the grooming moves from one part of the poodle’s body area to another. It offers up to 5,500 SPM, with continuous speed control throughout grooming sessions.
It is arguably the best choice for poodles. It is light and easy to use, and the blade size is ideal for the texture it will be used on. The Baruva was made specifically for the fur of a poodle.
The Baruva hair clippers can work as a wired device during extensive grooming periods or a cordless clipper for shorter spells. The versatility of these poodle clippers is one of the main reasons it is regarded as arguably the best.
5. Andis 22340 ProClip 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper, Professional Dog Grooming, AGC2
This clipper is specifically designed to be used on a poodle’s coat. The motto system is a professional standard model. It is a two-speed rotary motor, which lets you switch between fast and slow modes, depending on the area you’re clipping.
The chassis of this dog clipper is very durable and is made up of shatter-resistant casing. It is wired, with a heavy-duty cord. It is very quiet, especially in low power mode.
One drawback is the fact that over time, the blade gets hot so you will need to cool it several times if the grooming session is a long one.
It is also a relatively chunky machine. Very convenient to hold, but not as comfy as the others described above. Compared to the others, this device is a little bit expensive, with output lower than others previously highlighted.
6. Wahl Professional Animal ARCO Cordless Clipper Kit Champagne
The part of the body currently trimmed is a big determinant on how close you groom your poodle’s fur. Usually, you would need a few clippers to sort this out, but Arco is one of the best poodle clippers and it comes with a 5-in-1 blade system (Sizes #9, #10, #15, #30, #40).
It is easy to use, as all you have to do is pick one mode and you’re good to go. Its major features include:
- 5,500 cutting strokes per minute motor: this is most efficient for quality, non-pulling trims.
- The cordless clippers hence allow for more motion range when grooming.
- Unlike most clippers its Ergonomic design and lightweight reduce the chances of wrist fatigue.
- Wahl clippers have a very durable battery (80 minutes) on only 75minutes of charge
- Comes with a cleaning brush and clipper oil
This dog clipper is a huge favorite in the animal grooming industry, some saying it came when they needed the perfect clipper to aid trimming.
Finally, the Arco Wahl clipper is made with durable casing material for its grooming kit, which ensures that the components are not affected by accidental drops and can survive extended usage.
7. Wahl Motion Lithium Ion Clipper, Black, for Dogs
This device has a 5 in one adjustable blade system like the Arco previously discussed but is button operated. The cordless clippers give you the freedom to move around while trimming.
The battery on this device takes just 45minutes to acquire full charge, which will last for up to 2 hours. Like the previous two devices discussed, this device is very quiet and is good for use with skittish poodles. Pat of the packaging for this device, is the color guide combs that make sure you stylize your poodle’s hair with precision.
Also, note that the price of this device as a retail purchase, put its competitors with the same or similar capabilities on the back foot, as it might be the cheapest in that bracket.
How To Cut Poodle Hair
The truth is, poodle fur is really just hair. It is visibly softer than most dogs’ fur and grows continuously. Poodle puppies have even softer hair that often grows in waves instead of curly.
Between 9 and 18 months, of age, poodle hair transforms from puppy hair to adult poodle hair, which is a thick, dense, coarse, single-layered very curly coat.
Professional grooming at least every 3 to 6 weeks is highly recommended for adult poodles. There are various ways to go about grooming your poodle, depending on how old your poodle is, or the type of look you’re going for.
Classic Continental Look
This look is more reminiscent of the ’80s. to achieve this, you’ll need to shave the sides, legs, and backs of your poodle very short. Then leave a ring of untouched fur around each ankle (this is called a bracelet), and a ball of fur at the tail (called a pom-pom).
Next, shave your poodle’s face, lower than the original length, but longer than the new length on the sides and legs.
Leave the hair at the top of the head to serve as a “crown”, reminiscent of artists in the time where the hairstyle was popular.
In every look or style, you decide to go for, it is important to note that you need to trim the long hair from your poodle’s eyes. This can be achieved by using curved shears.
There is a myriad of other styles, but over time, these three have been proven to find a balance between aesthetics and protection from extreme weather.
All these styles can be achieved with a finer finish by any of the best dog clippers for poodles. However, this involves learning how to use one. Clippers give a professional look and feel to the grooming process.
Teddy Bear Style (Simple Look)
For this, all you’ll need is a dog trimmer and a blade guard. This combination will enable you to control the length of the fur that gets trimmed. The end result is the poodle having the same fur length all over (except for the face and feet).
Lamb Cut
This look involves more attention to detail. Still, with the dog trimmer and blade guard, cut your poodle’s fur so that it is short in the back and gradually becomes longer as you go toward the neck. To achieve this, it might be necessary to change clipper blades, using the shortest blade at the rear and increasing sizes as you progress to the fore.
Bathing a poodle
How often you bathe your poodle depends on different aspects. Is your poodle messy and gets dirty very fast? Well, you should then bathe the poodle more often. On average, you should wash your poodle once every 2 to 3 weeks. If your poodle doesn’t get itself dirty, then you are lucky. A poodle with white fur is more likely to get dirty faster whether the poodle is messy or not. Therefore, it may require more frequent bathing than the ones with black hair.
How often you bathe your poodle depends on the type of dog shampoo and conditioner you are using. Choose a dog shampoo and conditioner type depending on the sensitivity of your poodle’s skin. When used frequently during a poodle’s bath, there are shampoo types that can cause itchiness on the skin.
If you are a poodle owner who likes when the poodle’s fur is long, you need to bathe it many times than the one with short fur. Once you wash your poodle, always dry the poodle’s fur.
Pro Tip Takeaway: When drying your poodle after a bath, ensure the dryer’s temperature is favorable for the poodle’s skin. Also, remember that frequent bathing of a poodle makes brushing of their fur easier.
When water is not an option then you can use dry shampoo for dogs.
When it’s time to groom your poodle?
If you have a poodle, you will agree with me that having a poodle is the most beautiful relationship you will ever have. However, it comes with a price, and the price is grooming. Make grooming your poodle a routine, and you will never regret the decision.
How much grooming for a poodle?
If you want your poodle always to look attractive, then yes, your poodle will often require a lot of grooming. However, it doesn’t mean that a poodle that does not have a lot of grooming will look ugly. There are a lot of aspects to consider when determining whether your poodle requires a lot of grooming or not.
Puppy poodles need a lot of grooming than adult poodles. The aspect of puppies requiring a lot of grooming can be a bit confusing. Most people might ask, why puppies? Puppy poodles usually have soft coats that prevent the matting of the puppy poodle’s coat. Adult poodle coats don’t require a lot of grooming since the dog’s coat is curly, and therefore matting is very rare. If matted hair becomes a problem then ask a vet or professional groomer to provide veterinary advice.
Poodles with long fur will require a lot of brushing than the ones with short fur. Therefore, if you like your poodle’s furlong and don’t want it to tangle, consider brushing it many times.
ProTip Takeaway: Different poodles have different grooming necessities. Therefore, know your poodle behavior to determine factors like how much grooming it needs.
Here are the best dog clippers for poodle
It is very important to note that this list above is not to write off products that didn’t make it to the list. The aim was to find clippers best suitable for poodles. Trimming poodles is more than just getting random clippers and digging out fur.
If you need something different check out the best dog clippers for professionals.
As previously stated, removing too much can cause the animal more of the pain you were trying to eliminate in the first place. The poodles of today are very delicate animals, and care should be taken to ensure grooming is done effectively, and without any harm whatsoever to the dog involved. However, poodles are one of the least aggressive dog breeds and they usually let you groom them without any problems. If you want to keep your dog in a restricted area while grooming you can use a portable dog fence.
At the end of the day, it will boil down to more than just him, but also a clear understanding of the features, and evaluating the pros and cons associated with each option. Finding the best combination of speed, size, weight, accessories, etc will help the user determine which device is best suited for their purpose.
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Cover image Pexels
We have the Andis UltraEdge, worth every penny. Easy to use, easy to clean and our dog seems to tolerate it pretty ok. Also, it’s way more silent than I initially expected so if your dog has a fear of loud noises this might be worth a try.
I have huge anxiety, this will be our first time grooming our doggo. She’s a sweetheart, I’m not afraid she won’t stay put, I’m afraid I’m gonna mess it up haha. I’ve seen a lot of quarantine dog haircuts and they were horrendous. Our usual groomer closed and the closest one is 3 hours away so we need to do something fast #fingerscrossed