Which blade do I need for my dog?

Understanding the capabilities of different types of clipper blades can make you a more efficient groomer. Familiarising yourself with the following terms and types of blades will help:

Clipper Blades

All clipper blades have two parts. The larger bottom blade, called the comb, feeds the hair into the top, or cutting, blade. The cutting blade is moved back and forth very quickly by the clipper motor to cut the hair.

Cut

Length of hair left when cutting against the natural grain of the coat, or on a dog breed with an off-standing coat, such as a Poodle or Bichon Frise. Cutting with the grain of the coat on most breeds leaves it one clipper blade length longer. For instance, a #7 clipper blade leaves approximately 3.8mm hair when going against the grain, but will leave approximately 6mm when going with the grain.

Skip Tooth Clipper Blades

Perfect for blending short areas with longer lengths. Ideal for coarse-coated breeds such as Terriers. The coarse or uneven teeth on a Skip Tooth will feed the hair into the cutting blade more effectively, which allows you to clip under mats. Often used before the bath for rough-cuts, and on dogs that must be shaved completely down.

Finishing/Full Cut Blades

The teeth on this blade are even, creating a smoother finish. Can be used before and after the bath. Used for a smoother finish or full shavedowns.

Dog clipper blade numbers and lengths of cut

Below is a list of the clipper blade numbers and the length of coat that is left on the dog after the clip.

Blade #3 or #3F	Cuts and leaves 1/2″ or 13mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #4 or # 4F	Cuts and leaves approximately 3/8″ or 9.5mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #5 or #5F	Cuts and leaves approximately 1/4″ or 6mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #5/8 Toe Blade	Is specifically for clipping between the toes and feet
Blade #7 or #7F	Cuts and leaves approximately 1/8″ or 3.2mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #7/8 Toe Blade	Is specifically for clipping between toes and feet
Blade #8 1/2	Cuts and leaves 7/64″ or 2.8mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #9	Cuts and leaves approximately 5/64″ or 2mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #10	Cuts and leaves 1/16″ or 2mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #15	Cuts and leaves 1.2mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #30	Cuts and leaves 0.5mm length of coat on the dog
Blade #40 & #50	Are specifically for short surgical cuts

Different brands may have slightly different blade numbers however generally the lengths will be pretty much standard as per the above guide.

Dog grooming clipper blade chart

The pictures below show various dog breeds and recommended clipper blade sizes to achieve the results that a professional groomer would achieve.

Body #7 or #5
Head, neck #9 or #7F
Ears #10
Tail #5 or #4
Stomach #10
Pads #15

Wahl-KM-5 Dog Clippers — Bedlington-Terrier

Bedlington Terrier
Body #5F
Head, ears and tail #10 or #7F
Stomach #10
Pads #15

Bichon
“Show” trim, 1″ coat #30 & 1 1/4″ UC
Pet trim, short #4F
Matted strip down #7F or #5F
Stomach #10
Pads #15

Wahl KM-Single Speed Clipper — Border-Collie

Border 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

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

Cairn Terrier
Matted coat #7F
Natural look 2″ #30 & ¾” comb
Pet trim, shorter on back #4
Head, face, legs and underbody – Scissors
Ears #10

Cats
Very matted #10
Some matting #7F

Chow Chow
Matted coat #7F
Natural coat – scissors
Body #7
Puppy trim #30 with 1″ comb
Short trim #3, #3F, #4, #4F

Dog-Pet-Animal-Clippers — Cocker-Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel
Body, sides and back – 4F, 5F, 7F
Neck – 9
Face, ears and throat – 10, 15

Heiniger-Dog-Clippers — Dandie-Dinmont-Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Body, sides and back only #5 or #4
Head, tail, legs and under belly – scissors
Legs and undercarriage – scissors
Ears – #10 or #15

English Cocker Spaniel
Body, sides and back only #7F, #5F, #4F
Front of forearms #7F
Head, neck, and ears #15

Wahl-Clippers — English-Springer-Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel
Body, sides and back only #7F, #5F, #4F
Head, neck and ears #10
Tail, legs and underbody – scissors

Golden Retriever
Matted coat #7F
Body #7F or #5F
Legs, tail and underbody – scissors

Andis-Pet-Clippers — English-Irish-Gordon-Setter

Gordon Setter
Body, sides and back only #7F, #5F, #4F
Head, neck and ears #10
Tail, legs and underbody – scissors

Great Pyrenees
Matted coat #7F
Puppy trim #30 with 1″ comb
Long body trim #4 or #3

Irish Setter
Body, sides and back #7F, #5F, #5
Head, neck and ears #10
Tail, legs and underbody – scissors

Animal-Clippers — Fox-Terrier-Irish-Terrier

Irish Terrier
Body, sides and back #5, #5F, #7F
Head, neck and ears #10
Tail, legs and underbody – scissors

Keeshond
Matted coat #7F
Natural coat – scissors
Short trim, back and sides #4
Head, neck and ears #10 or #9
Body, sides and tail – #30 with 1″ comb

Kerry Blue Terrier
Body and tail #4F or #3F
Face #10
Ears, cheeks and throat #10
Legs #30 with ¾” or 1″ comb

Lakeland Terrier
Body and tail #7F, #5F, #4F, #3F
Head, neck and ears #10
Legs, chest, beard and eyebrows #30 with ¾” or 1″ comb

Lhasa Apso Maltese
Matted coat #7F
Puppy trim #30 with 1″ comb
Short trim #3F or #4F
Head, face, tail and 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 and tail – scissors

Mixed breeds (curly coat)
Body and legs #4F or #3F
Face (poodle style) #10 or scissors
Face (teddy bear style) #3F or #30 with ¾” or 1″ comb
Tail – scissors

Mixed breeds (smooth coat)
Matted coat #7F
Puppy trim #30 with 1″ comb
Short trim #4F
Head, face and tail – scissors

Mixed breeds (wiry coat)
Body and tail #7F, #5F, #4F, #3F
Legs, chest, beard and eyebrows #3F
Ears – 10
Face and eyebrows – 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 and face – scissors

Pekingese
Matted coat #7F
Short coat #4 or #4F

Poodles (kennel trim)
Matted coat #7F
Face, feet and base of tail #10 or #15
Body and legs – #5, #4, #3
Top knot and tailpiece – scissors

Poodles (lamb trim)
Face, feet and base of tail #10 or #15
Body #5, #4, #3
Legs #30 with ¾” or 1″ comb
Top knot and tailpiece – scissors

Poodles (summer trim/ bikini trim)
Face, feet and base of tail #10 or #15
Body and legs #7F or #5F
Pom-poms, top knot and tail pom – scissors
Stomach #10

Portuguese Water Dog
Matted coat #7F
Short coat #3, #3F, #4, #4F
Body and legs #30 with 1″ comb
Head and tail – scissors

Samoyed
Matted coat #7F
Underbody #10
Feet #15
Strip down #5F or 7F
Tail – scissors

Schnauzer
Matted coat #7F
Throat, ears and cheeks #10
Body and tail #7, #5, #4F
Legs #3 with ¾” comb

Scottish Terrier/ Sealyham Terrier
Body, back and sides #5 or #4
Head, neck, cheeks, throat and ears #10
Tail #4F

Shetland Sheepdog
Matted coat #7F
Long trim #4 or #3
Natural coat and tail – scissors

Shih Tzu
Matted coat #7F
Puppy trim #30 with 1″ comb
Short trim #4F or #3F
Head, tail and ears – scissors

Silky Terrier
Matted coat #7F
Puppy trim #30 with ¾” comb
Short trim #4F
Head, underbody and tail – scissors
Ears #10

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Body and tail #3, #30 with ¾” or 1″ comb
Head and ears – scissors
Shorter trim #4F
Legs #30 with 1″ comb

Welsh Terrier
Body and tail #7F or #5F
Head, cheeks, throat and ears #10
Legs, chest, beard and eyebrows #30 with ¾” or 1″ comb

West Highland White Terrier
Body, back and sides #5F, #4F, #3F
Tail and underbody – scissors
Head and legs #30 with 1″ or 1¼” comb
Ear tips #10 or #15

Yorkshire Terrier
Matted coat #7F
Puppy trim #30 with 1″ comb
Short trim #4F or #3F
Face – scissors
Ear Tips #10

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Which blade do I need for my dog?