newfoundland grooming

Question
Hi Kristen,
Just asking about which type of clippers you would recommend for shaving a Newfie. We live in Australia and have a Newfoundland Pandora who is getting very elderly and cannot make it comfortably to the beach. To keep her comfortable I want to shave her in Summer and have bought one pair of clippers that were absolutely useless so I thought I would refer to the experts and see what type they recommend.

Answer
Hi Michelle,

The person you sent your message to couldn't or wouldn't answer it, and sent it to a "question pool", where any of the experts at the site has the option of answering it. That is how I came to read your message.

When looking for clippers for a dog with a coat as dense as a Newfoundland's, look for a pair that has multiple speeds and is stated as being "heavy-duty" or expressly for heavy coated breeds.

The faster a blade moves, the easier and faster it will cut. Better quality clippers have faster motors. How fast a blade moves is dictated by the quality and strength of the motor in the clippers as well as how well you lubricate the blade while you clip. When shopping for a heavy duty clipper, compare the motor strength that's listed on the packages.

Not being in Australia, I can't say if you can find the same clippers as what's for sale in the USA. Two brands you can try looking for is the Wahl Kennel Pro Pet Clipper, and the Oster Golden A5 clipper.

Never clip a dirty dog. Dirt and products such as flea powders destroy the cutting surface of your blade. Your dog's coat will be easier to clip if he's first had a bath, but he also needs to be dry!

Best of luck,

Patti