Thinning Scissors

[paddles]

I have two English Springer Spaniels, and I use thinning scissors on thier feathers etc, (As I was advised by the breeder) but I have to ask this, I bought a pair of human thinning scissors (From priceline) and I find that they are pretty hit and miss as to how they work. I'm not certain it the fault is mine, or the scissors? I was wondering if it is like with the clippers, (Human ones just don't work on the dog) so, should I be looking for a pair of doggy thinning scissors?

thank you

[poodlefan]

They definitely exist. You can get them with the thinning serations on one or both sides of the shears.

Wahl make ones for dogs. I'm not sure how if different they are to human ones though.

I expect that what you've bought may not be particularly good quality and they've become blunt quickly. I'd ask your breeder for a brand and size recommendation - they come in different lengths.

Edited January 21, 2009 by poodlefan

[ellz]

The thing to look at with thinning scissors is the number of teeth. The more teeth, the more hair will be removed.

Generally, the thinners sold in places like Priceline and other retail stores are not all that suitable for trimming dogs. You really need to either purchase them from a specialised dog supply place such as Clipperworld or Pet Network (to name a couple) or from a hairdressing warehouse if you have access to one.

[paddles]

Thank you for your prompt replys, I will look to get a pair of doggy ones.

[Clyde]

I just bought some back up scissors which I'm pleased with considering the price. From here: http://allscissorsrus.webs.com/petgroomingscissors.htm

[Dogsfevr]

Will add though there is no need to thin there feathers.

The only thinning is blending the throat,bum & feet .

yep they exist.Ours get used 5 days a week practically all year & hard work.

I have found the Wahl,roseline to be a good budget thinner

[paddles]

Will add though there is no need to thin there feathers.

The only thinning is blending the throat,bum & feet .

yep they exist.Ours get used 5 days a week practically all year & hard work.

I have found the Wahl,roseline to be a good budget thinner

what do you do for the top of the head, and ears?

[Dogsfevr]

Will add though there is no need to thin there feathers.

The only thinning is blending the throat,bum & feet .

yep they exist.Ours get used 5 days a week practically all year & hard work.

I have found the Wahl,roseline to be a good budget thinner

what do you do for the top of the head, and ears?

Ears are clipped per the breed,head we hand strip with a stone,The only part the thinners would touch there is simply for blending

Springer head

Edited January 22, 2009 by settrlvr

[paddles]

isn't stripping pulling the hair out? ouch!

(Ok, I've pulled horses manes etc, and when I had a sheltie, I combed out thier coats, but how do I do the springers head? (If it's a case of yanking out bits of hair by hand, I'm not going to be comfortable doing that.) I have a mars comb, that I use on the body, but doesn't seem to do much on the head.

[Dogsfevr]

isn't stripping pulling the hair out? ouch!

(Ok, I've pulled horses manes etc, and when I had a sheltie, I combed out thier coats, but how do I do the springers head? (If it's a case of yanking out bits of hair by hand, I'm not going to be comfortable doing that.) I have a mars comb, that I use on the body, but doesn't seem to do much on the head.

Pulling the dead hair out is exactly what your doing with the coat king,Stripping the coat.The coat king if used on the head try backwards

On the heads i use a "slick n Easy" stone(most use these on horses) But generally the coat is so dead it falls out,better than thinning it & making it grow back worse each time.

Doesnt hurt anymore than normal brushing

[Lowenhart]

I use a cheap human pair bought from a hairdressers supplier on my dogs and myself - there is no problems there...

And I use human clippers to clip my show Lowchen at the moment. They are quiet and don't get particularly hot. They are about the same cost as a clipper blade and last about the same amount of time as blades do before they needs sharpening.

Sometimes you can use the human stuff without any hassles...

[Miranda]

what do you do for the top of the head, and ears?

You can also use thinning scissors to trim the excess hair from the tops of the ears, I use clippers, but you can certainly do it with scissors. Dead hair can be removed from the top of the head with your finger and thumb pulling forwards towards the dog's nose, using a 'rubber thumb' on your index finger makes it easier or as settrlvr says use a stone. You should also remove any hair growing inside the ears to maximise airflow.