Grooming - Clipper Recommendation

Question
I have two cocker spaniels with very fine hair and I need a recommendation for some good clippers. I have purchased many clippers in the past and they either pull the hair, chafe the skin, or cut really poorly. I am looking for some good clippers that will last for a while and cut through the fine, silky hair without hurting the dogs.

Answer
Hi Melissa,
This is a busy time of year for groomers so sorry I delayed getting back to you.
Clippers are worth what you pay for them and then you need to learn how to use them correctly with the proper blades for your breed.
Go to an online dog grooming catalogue such as Cherrybrook, Petsedge, Jeffers or whomever you like and look under professional dog grooming equipment. The clippers are all there. Oster, Andis, Laube Geib - all are excellent machines but don't start with the battery operated ones - use a plug in variety to get started. Get a video from Oster or one of the hundreds of grooming videos on the internet. Especially for your breed. You need to learn the pattern.
Remember to stretch the skin tawt so you don't pinch it with the blade. If you want the saddle really short use a #10. It's hard to explain without actually seeing what you are doing, but if you bought a clipper at say a big box discount store - for less than 75$ it's a pretty safe bet it won't do the job you need it to do. Can you take your dog to a local groomer and ask to watch so you can learn? SOmeone may let you. But like I said this a busy time of year for us so they may not have the time.
You can expect to pay upwards of $125 plus the blades for a decent clipper. They should never do any of things you mentioned unless the blade is not making proper contact or attached correctly.
Hope this helps! If you have a more specific question come back.