Clipping at home or a groomer?
Updated 16 September 2026
Home clippers keep a coat in order between appointments, covering feet, bottoms, faces and the bits that mat. A full body clip on a doodle or a double coat is a groomer's job, and they do it beautifully.
Dog clippers are bought for two good reasons, to keep on top of a coat at home and to spare an anxious dog a long morning in a busy salon. Both work well when the clippers are used for tidying between appointments.
Brush a coat out before the clippers go near it, because a clean open coat clips smoothly and quickly. Small tangles come out with fingers and a slicker, and the whole job then takes minutes.
Side by side
Clippers at home
Cordless clippers with guards, used for the bits that mat between appointments.
Suits
- Feet, faces, bottoms and armpits
- Anxious dogs that are happier at home
- Owners happy to go slowly and often
One we like
oneisall
Quiet cordless dog clippers that cope with a thick or matted coat.
There is a locking function for travel, so the clippers stay off in a bag. Start with short sessions between professional grooms.
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A professional groom
A trained groomer with a table, a proper dryer and the experience to shape a coat.
Suits
- Full clips and anything where shape matters
- Matted coats, taken apart carefully
- Double coats, where technique matters most
Common questions
Can I use dog clippers on a double coat?
Brushing out the undercoat is the better route for a double coat, because it keeps the insulation that holds a dog cool in summer and warm in winter. A deshedding tool does that job in minutes.
How do I get my dog used to clippers?
Run them switched on near the dog with no clipping for the first few sessions, and pay well in treats. Quiet clippers help a lot, and the introduction matters as much as the machine.
Can clippers go through matted fur?
Take the mats out first and the clippers glide. Small ones tease out with fingers and a slicker brush, and a badly matted coat is a groomer's speciality, which they sort out in one visit.