Whether you have just one dog or cat, or you're a professional dog groomer, you know how important it is to keep your pet clean and groomed. With the right grooming equipment, you can keep shedding under control, untangle hair, prevent and control skin conditions, and more.
When it comes to navigating the hair clipper blade size chart and selecting the appropriate dog clipper guard sizes can pose a challenge due to the intricate range of sizes involved. Here at Clipit Grooming we have over 3 decades of dog grooming education, so before you read on, why not subscribe to our site and we can provide you will all the information you need to produce a beautiful groom.
Because of the great response of the Ultimate Guide to Clipper Blade Size Chart, we have now published an eBook - How To Guide for Caring for Clippers, Clipper Blades and Attachment Combs
In this guide, we provide all the tools and know-how required to manage clipper blades, clippers, and attachment combs. We'll discuss what to do when these tools break down or when new blades aren't cutting as expected. The guide also includes a chapter on sharpening and maintenance, as well as guidance on selecting the right sharpening and servicing provider.
With nearly four decades of experience in the dog and horse grooming industry, Paula Bryan has always been passionate about driving positive change in the field. Paula's expertise spans from skin and coat care to business development and tool and equipment management.
Paula says "The dog grooming industry is rightly focused on breed standards and producing the best possible groom. However, as someone who has been in this industry for some time, I noticed a significant gap in the knowledge and skills required to manage grooming tools. Specifically, many professionals lack the expertise to identify when a clipper blade isn't working or when it's time to replace the blade drive on a clipper. Additionally, they struggle with selecting the appropriate scissor for particular breeds"
Clipper Blade Size Chart
This clipper blade size chart will help you find the right sized pet grooming clipper blades to use for each breed.
BLADE SIZES
3 = 1/2" (Skip) 3F = 1/2" (Finish)
4 = 3/8" Skip) 4F = 3/8" (Finish)
5 = 1/4" (Skip) 5F = 1/4" (Finish)
7 = 1/8" (Skip) 7F = 1/8" (Finish)
9 = 5/64"
10 = 1/16"
15 = 3/64"
30 = 1/50"
GENERAL CLIPS
Sanitary & Sterile: 10 or 15
Feet & Pads: 15
Inside Ears & Tummy: 10
Teddy Bear (¾" long all over): 4
Clipper Blade Cutting Length
It is the industry standard when clipping to go with the grain of coat as it leaves it one clipper blade longer. If you choose to go against the grain of coat it will leave it much shorter, so for instance, a #7 clipper blade leaves the coat approximately 1/8" hair but when going against the grain of the coat, it will leave it 1/4".
DOG BREEDS AND BLADE LENGTHS
· Airedale Terrier
· Body & Tail - 7F, 5F, 4F, 3F
· Head & Neck - 7F
· Legs, Chest, Beard, & Eyebrows - 30 with ¾" or 1" Comb
· Ears, Cheeks, & Throat - 7F or 10
· American Cocker Spaniel
· Body, Sides, & Back Only - 7F, 5F, 4F
· Sides of Neck - 7F
· Face, Ears, & Throat - 10
· Bearded Collie
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Puppy Trim at 2" - 30 with 1¼" Comb
· Bedlington Terrier
· Body - 4 or 3
· Head, Ears, & Tail - 10 or 15
· Bichon Frise
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Show Trim at 1" - 30 & 1" Comb
· Pet Trim - 4 or 3
· Head - 30 with ¾", 1" or 1¼" Comb
· Bouvier Des Flandres
· Body - 3, 30 with ¾" or 1" Comb
· Legs - Scissors, 30 with 1" or 1¼" Comb
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Head - 4F
· Face - Scissors
· Ears - 10 or 15
· Briard Terrier
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Puppy Trim at 2" - 30 & 1¼" Comb
· Short Trim - 4F
· Face, Legs, & Undercarriage - Scissors
· Cairn Terrier
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Natural Look 2" - 30 & ¾" Comb
· Pet Trim, Shorter on Back - 4
· Head, Face, Legs, & Underbody - Scissors
· Ears - 10
· Chow Chow
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Natural Coat - Scissors
· Body - 7
· Puppy Trim - 30 with 1" Comb
· Short Trim - 3, 3F, 4, 4F
· Cocker Spaniel
· Body, Sides, & Back - 4F, 5F, 7F
· Neck - 9
· Face, Ears, & Throat - 10, 15
· Collie
· Body - 7F
· For More Length on Body - 4 or 3
· Short Trim - 3, 3F, 4, 4F
· Puppy Trim - 30 with 1" Comb
· Natural Coat - Scissors
· Dandie Dinmont
· Body, Sides, & Back Only - 5 or 4
· Head, Tail, Legs, & Under Belly - Scissors
· Legs & Undercarriage - Scissors
· Ears - 10 or 15
English Cocker Spaniel
· Body, Sides, & Back Only - 7F, 5F, 4F
· Front of Forearms - 7F
· Head, Neck, and Ears - 15
· English Setter
· Body, Sides, & Back Only - 7F, 5F, 4F
· Head, Neck, & Ears - 10
· Tail, Legs, Underbody - Scissors
· English Springer Spaniel
· Body, Sides, & Back Only - 7F, 5F, 4F
· Head, Neck, & Ears - 10
· Golden Retriever
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Body - 7F or 5F
· Legs, Tail, & Underbody - Scissors
· Great Pyrenees
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Puppy Trim - 30 with 1" Comb
· Long Body Trim - 4 or 3
· Irish Setter
· Body, Sides, & Back - 7F, 5F, 4F
· Head, Neck, & Ears - 7 or 10
· Tail, Legs, & Underbody - Scissors
· Irish Terrier
· Body, Sides, & Back - 7F, 5F, 5
· Head, Neck, & Ears - 10
· Tail, Legs, & Underbody - Scissors
· Keeshond
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Natural Coat - Scissors
· Short Trim, Back & Sides - 4
· Head, Neck, & Ears - 10 or 9
· Body, Sides, & Tail - 30 with 1" Comb
· Kerry Blue Terrier
· Body & Tail - 4F or 3F
· Face - 10
· Ears, Cheeks, & Throat - 10
· Legs - 30 with ¾" or 1" Comb
· Lakeland Terrier
· Body & Tail - 7F, 5F, 4F, 3F
· Head, Neck, & Ears - 10
· Legs, Chest, Beard, & Eyebrows - 30 with ¾" or 1" Comb
· Lhasa Apso
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Puppy Trim - 30 with 1" Comb
· Short Trim - 3F or 4F
· Head, Face, Tail, & Underbody - Scissors
· Maltese
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Puppy Trim - 30 with 1" Comb
· Short Trim - 4
· Head - 4F, 3F, 30 with ¾" or 1" Comb
· Face & Tail - Scissors
· Newfoundland
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Natural Coat - Scissors
· Short Coat - 4 or 3
· Old English Sheepdog
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Short Coat - 3, 3F, 4, 4F
· Puppy Trim - 30 with 1¼" Comb
· Head & Face - Scissors
· Pekingese
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Short Coat - 4 or 4F
· Poodles - Kennel Trim
· Matted Coat - 7F
· Face, Feet, & Base of Tail - 10 or 15
· Body & Legs - 5, 4, 3
· Top Knot & Tailpiece - Scissors
· Poodles - Lamb Trim
· Face, Feet, & Base of Tail - 10 or 15
· Body - 5, 4, 3
· Legs - 30 with ¾" or 1" Comb
· Top Knot & Tailpiece - Scissors
· Poodles - Summer Trim - Bikini Trim
· Face, Feet, & Base of Tail - 10 or 15
· Body & Legs - 7F or 5F
· Pom-poms, Top Knot & Tail Pom - Scissors
· Stomach - 10
How a Hair Clipper Blade Cuts?
There are two surfaces that make up the cutting edge, the front, and the back rail. These two rails are the points that are hollow ground to produce a new sharp edge. As the blade is used these edges start to wear and will eventually "round off", and it is at this point when your blade causes you snagging and dragging within the coat, your blade will need re-sharpening.
If you leave a build-up of hair in between the two rails, this can cause a further "rounding" off the cutting rails. So, it is essential that every 5 minutes, you stop clipping and brush off any excess hair from your clipper blade.
There is a spring that holds the top cutter and sole plate together. The function of the spring is to apply adequate tension to allow the clipper blade to cut smoothly. If that spring is too tight, the top cutter will not move from side to side easily. To test your clipper guard with the clipper blade in your hand, try to move the top cutter from side to side. In the case of the top cutter not moving properly, the tension could be too tight and will need to be adjusted.
For more information, and the best products to use to keep your clipper blades working smoothly, go to How To Clean and Oil your Clipper Blades.
How to adjust the hair clipper blade tension?
To achieve correct hair clipper blade tensioning you will need a flat head screwdriver. Place the screwdriver into the side of the spring and gently lever-up to release the tension. Spray your clipper blade with oil, and check and test again. If the tension is too light, or too loose, this will result in a non-cutting blade.
But how do you use clippers and clipper blades to achieve a great result? With the right technique and tools, you can achieve professional-looking results from the comfort of your own home. So, say goodbye to expensive trips to the groomer and embrace the satisfaction of grooming your dog yourself. Let's dive in and make trimming a breeze for both you and your canine companion by learning more at Clipping Made Easy.
How to tell when your hair clipper blade has expired?
Most hair clipper blades can be resharpened, but eventually they reach a point where they will not take a sharp edge and further sharpening is impossible. Any dull blades should be resharpened as a set; replacing only one blade or swopping a top cutter from one blade to another set will not work. If you are finding the clipper blade is snagging and tugging at the coat, it is time for it to be re-sharpened. A rule of thumb, if you clean and oil your clipper blades daily, then a blade will last between 10-12 weeks based on clipping 5 dogs per day.
Summing Up
We hope you have found this article helpful. If you have any questions about your hair clipper blades, just drop a comment in the comments box and we will answer all of them.
Also, why not get yourself onto the Clipit Clipper and Scissor Workshop. An intensive 2 hour online course that is designed for both professional dog groomers and pet owner and covers everything you need to know about clippers, clipper blades and scissors.