Hi All

I am interested in getting some clippers so that i can clip my own dogs fur, he is a westie with a very thick coat and at the moment has to go to the groomers every 4-6 weeks to be clipped, his coat just grows so quickly and it works out very expensive to keep taking him this often that i thought if i got a good pair of dog grooming clippers i could keep his coat clipped inbetween, it will be more comfortable for him aswell as he coat is very hard work being so thick and he needs a lot of grooming every day. When he goes to be clipped they use a grade 4F on him he comes out nice and short but within 3 weeks it is growing back thick again, i have looked at some professional clippers and have been told that the Oster clippers are the best and somebody advised me to get a 7 blade as this will cut his coat on his back nice and short, this lady has also got westies and finds that is makes a nice short coat along their back, obviously i would not clipper the legs or head as i know that these have to be scissor cut but just need clippers to get the heavy coat off of his back, if anybody can suggest any other clippers that they find are good i would be very interested before i consider buying the Oster clippers, also which grade blade that other people use with westies i would be interested in aswell.
I have always had him clipped instead of handstripping as i was told that if he is not for showing that clipping is fine for westie's and his coat has always come up nice after being clipped it is just that it grows back thick so quickly that i am just trying to keep it more comfortable for him as he gets so hot in the summer and very knotted if not groomed thoroughly every day, when the coat is short it is so much nicer for him as the grooming is less and he does not get so knotted.
Look forward to anybody suggestions, perhaps there are some professional groomers on here that may be able to advise me further.
Many thanks
Helen

Clipping will make a thick coat thicker because the course outter coat will grow through with the soft undercoat, which is why I didn't clip "even pet" Westies back to the skin!  If you allow the coarse top coat to grow through it won't matt.  It's the soft undercoat that gets knotty.
The breed standard calls for the coat to be about 2" long for a reason.  To allow the top coat to protect the dog which is its purpose.  It will keep him waterproof in the winter and protect the pale sensitive skin from the sun in the summer.
It will take a lot of hard work to correct the clipping that your groomer has done.  If you would prefer to compromise, then a pair of single edged thinning scissors, used from the tail against the direction of the coat growth, will allow some outter coat to grow through.  Then regularly comb (not brush) with a fine comb, taking out as much of the undercoat as you can.
This is not the correct way to handle a Westie coat, but a way of making a pet trim look natural and not shaved.

However, if you do decide to go the clipper route I woudl not recomend using an Oster - they are big, bulky, heavy, and more than you need for just one dog.  If you want to spend the about the same, then the Laube Min Micro is great, however, for one dog I would go for soemthing like the Babyliss or Arco rechargeable complete wiht adjustable ceramic blade.  They are light, quiet and give a good finish.  Or you could look at getting a coat king or fuminator, which give a sort of hand strip look (not as good, of course) without all the effort.

bye
Gwen

Hamish asked about clippers.  Not about the rights and wrongs with clipping.  Why cant people on here answer the posters questions.  I know we all have opinions but when genuine people ask for advise, surely the least we can do is answer the question that is asked.

I agree with Gwen a small animal clipper will be suffice for just one dog.  Good luck with the clipping.

Because the poster may not be aware of a better alternative Molly1 !!  Better for the dog and the owner, who is already struggling with the coat that the groomer has ruined.
This is an "Information Exchange", and that's just what we do, exchange information!

Hi All

Thanks for your replies, hope i have not caused any upset between you all, i know that you all have different opinions and i understand that. Not everbody agrees with clipping westies, but Hamish has been clipped ever since i had him and i know a lot of other pet westies that are clipped and not handstripped i just think it depends on the owner, i was just asking for advise on the best clippers and grade of blade to use in trying to keep his coat more managable for me and more comfortable for him, i thought there may have been other owners on here that perhaps groom there own dogs and would have been able to advise me on the grade blade to use, i didn't mean to cause any friction between other posters.
If anybody else clips there own westies and have got suggestions to the grade of blade that i should use i would be very grateful.

Thanks again
Helen

Helen,

I groom my own dog and a few of my friends' dogs too, Cairn, Westie, Sheltie, Mini Schnauzer, Bedlington and my own Bedlington.  I only clip the Bedlingtons, the rest I use Coat Kings and Thinning Scissors.

The problem is that you ask about opinions of different clippers while also stating that you want the coat to be more manageable.  Unfortunately, from what you have told us, your Westie has a nice thick coat which is not being improved by clipping, the other posters are right in suggesting that you could use a Coat King and thinning scissors (together ;) )to improve the manageability of his coat, you would see a difference even after the first session, after about three months you would see a bigger difference.   An added bonus is that, although they seem pricey, a coat king would not cost nearly as much as a set of clippers and blades and they don't use any electricity.  Of course, at the end of the day the choice is yours :D

Oster also make Smaller clippers for the Pet owner, they are the Oster Mark II (has changeable blades) and the Oster adjustable.  These are not as expensive as the Oster professional clippers, I use all three, the Mark II and Adjustable are quieter and smaller (good for nervous dogs and puppies)

Hope this helps :D

HI

Thanks for your reply, how does the coat king actually work, does it pull the fur out when rubbed down the coat, sorry to sound stupid but have never heard of this before and wonder how it actually thins the coat out, i don't want his coat kept as thick as it is now because it is too hard to keep looking nice, and he needs a lot of grooming which at times is quite uncomfortable for him where he coat is thick. I would like to find out more about how the coat king works and how often you would use this on there coats.

Thanks
Helen

The coat king (and the furminator, which is a new prodcut this year) give a similar result to a hand strip (similar, not the same) The coat king is a series of blades, mounted on a handle, which cut/thin out the hair.  The Furminator looks like half a clipper blade on a handle and rakes through the hair, thinnning it out.  Thinnining scissors have one plain scissor blade, and one "comb" type blade.

It realy depends on the look you want.  If you like the clipped look, then you can keep his coat short by regular clips.  If you want to try for the more correct show type look, then go for a coat king etc.  Lots of pet people really like the very smooth clipped finish, I know it is not what the breed standard calls for, but it is not possible for every pet owner to keep their dog in a show type trim - and not all dogs have suitable coats anyway.

bye
Gwen

Hi Helen,   we are always open for full, frank debate here, and rarely actually fall out, so dont worry.  Everyones opinion can be heard, then you sift out the bits which apply to you!  The reason I recomended the Arco and Babyliss is that they come complete with adjustable blades, and with blades combs too.  You would be able to experiment with the  cut which suits your dog best.  one thing for the novcie clipper to bear in mind before starting, is that  you get a very different clip depending on if you go with or against the coat.  You get a much shorter cut going against the coat.     Generally speaking most pro groomers I know are moving away from the old OSter clippers - lots of other manufacturers have re designed  their products, using new technology for  lighter, quieter prodcuts.  I havent used OSters for about 5 years now, although I still have an old pair or two tucked away.  the Mini Micros are so much better.  But for your use, I think one of the rechargeable light duties with built in clipper head is ideal.

bye
Gwen

The Coat King is a set of hooked blades on a handle which, when used correctly (in the direction of the coat ;) ), take out substantial amounts of undercoat and cut minimal amounts of top coat enabling the handstripped look to develop.  If a shorter coat is required the tool can then be used in a slightly different way (direction) to produce more of a cutting effect on the top coat and shortening it.  There are various sizes, each suitable for different coats and finishes and the blades are replaceable.  The finished look is very similar to hand stripped and can be very smooth.  It is as easy to use as a comb once you get the hang of it :D

Have just had a look at the 'Furminator' and have to say IMHO most dogs would get this treatment at a salon anyway if they are being properly groomed :rolleyes:

OK have been on another site and looked at the 'Furminator' grooming tool (to be used with the special shampoo ;) ) and have to say I think a good shedding comb would have the same effect, it doesn't appear to have as much effect as a Coat King, the dog pictured (golden retreiver) looked appalling considering it was supposedly groomed.

Hope this helps :)

I havent tried a furminator, but it is being raved about on grooming sites on both sides of the Atlantic, and at recent grooming trade shows.  From what I gather, its frequent use gives the best results.  However, it has to be remembered that what groomers in salons are looking for is not what show people want, in a lot of cases!  However, it looks like it could be a useful tool in the right circumstances, and gives a tidy up.

bye
Gwen

Hi
Have been reading with interest about the Coat King & furminator. Where can you buy these in the UK. Also, how do you know which size to get? I have 2 westies.
                                                                     Thanks
                                                                         Wendy

Lots of palces stock the Coat King -  e g Hub int, Dezynadog, both of whom have web site.  Not sure about the furminator - I know Technogroom in Scotland does them.  All the traders will be able to advise on the best Coat King to suit each breed.

bye
Gwen

Thanks Gwen for the info. Are the coat Kings OK for a novice like me to use? I would hate to think I ruined their coats, but I would like to give them a go. One of my westies is going back to the breeder on Thursday for mating so she is going to trim his coat while he is there. She hand strips which I like, but it is a 2hr journey nearly, so I normally have him trimmed close to home, but that person only uses clippers and doesn't hand strip. How often do you use the coat kings? I think I will invest in one anyway, can't find the Furminator on the sites though, what is the difference between them. Thanks for your help.
                                                            Wendy

I have Andis clippers they are great, had them a couple of years never had any problems with them, plus all the usual coat kings, thinning scissors etc.

Hi Wendy,

Wouldnt recomend either the Caot King or Furminator on a show coat (although I know lots of people are happy wiht the results they give)  However, if you are wanting to tidy up and keep the dog looking almost hand strippped, the coat king could be ideal,  As with anything sharp, use cautiously until you get  the hand of it!  Did you find the Technogroom site?  They are, I think the first peole to import the Furminator.

bye
Gwen

Hi Gwen
Thanks for your reply. Yes it was for only tidying him up really, and yes I would be really careful. Think maybe I will order the medium 10 blade, went onto the Hub Int site and thats the one they recommend for Westies. Went onto Technogroom site and couldn't find the furminator. As I said, I take Gyllie on Thursday so will ask the breeder if she has heard of the coat King, (she prefers hand stripping) although she will clip if thats what the owner wants. So I will wait till then, but thanks for your help.
                                                            Wendy