If you’re looking for the best clippers to groom your French bulldog, we’ve got the information you need. We’ll provide recommendations for the types of clippers to purchase and the specific blades to use.In this article we’ll discuss:
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While French bulldogs may not shed as much as some other breeds, regular grooming, including clipping, is still important for their overall health and appearance. If you’re in need of hair clippers for your French bulldog, you have come to the right place.
The market offers a wide range of options for pet owners, from budget-friendly trimmers to professional grooming clippers. Whether you prefer cordless or electric, single-speed or multi-speed, or clippers for touch-ups or heavy-duty grooming, we can help you choose the perfect clipper for your dog’s unique coat.
Pet trimmers for French bulldogs – While professional clippers are more expensive than pet trimmers, the latter may not be suitable for the heavy and possibly wavy or curly coat of a French bulldog.
Pet trimmers often come with combs that adjust to different lengths of coat, and are usually battery-powered, which makes them good for touch-ups and trimming areas such as the face, ears, and paws. However, for heavy coats that require more substantial grooming, professional clippers may be a better option.
Corded clippers for French bulldogs – Corded hair clippers are a popular choice among professional groomers and dog enthusiasts alike. They are powered by an electric cord, eliminating the need to worry about battery life. These clippers are known for their durability and ability to effectively clip through thick and heavy coats, including mats.
They can last for many years with heavy use, and are designed to remain cool while in use. Corded clippers come in various settings, such as 1-speed, 2-speed, or even 5-speed options, allowing you to control the speed at which they work. Some models are designed to be extra quiet or low-vibration for added convenience.
Cordless hair clippers for French bulldogs – Cordless hair clippers are an option that can be powered by either batteries or rechargeable batteries. Battery-operated cordless clippers typically fall into the category of pet trimmers. Rechargeable cordless clippers, however, are similar in performance to corded clippers. Some models can run up to 90 minutes before needing to be recharged, while others have a shorter run time.
A benefit of using cordless clippers is that you have the flexibility to groom your French bulldog anywhere, without being confined to an electrical outlet. However, keep in mind that some cordless clippers may not be as powerful as corded clippers, but they can still get the job done. These clippers may last for a couple of years before they no longer hold a charge and need to be replaced.
One of the benefits of using hair clippers and blades is that they are often interchangeable across different manufacturers. Oster, Andis, and Wahl are some of the major companies that produce clippers for dogs.
If you purchase “detachable” blades made by Oster, they will work with your Andis clipper, and vice versa. It’s worth noting that this is true for most pet clipper and blades, but if you’re looking to use your clipper for more specialized tasks, such as shearing sheep or clipping horses, it’s best to double-check compatibility.
When purchasing professional clippers, it’s common for them to come with a #10 blade already attached. This is convenient as a standalone #10 blade can cost around $25. The #10 blade is a versatile option that can be used on a variety of dog breeds and is suitable for trimming the body. Generally speaking, the lower the blade number, the longer the hair on your French bulldog will be after grooming. For example, a #10 blade will leave the coat 1/16 of an inch from the body, while a #5 blade will leave the hair ¼ of an inch from the body.
Groomers often use multiple blades during a grooming session to achieve different hair lengths on different parts of the dog’s body, with shorter hair around the face and paws and longer hair elsewhere. The #7 blade is also popular and leaves 1/8 inch of hair. The extremely high numbers such as #40 would only be used for medical procedures like shaving a dog before a surgery.
Fine tooth or full cut blades, designated by an “F” after the number, are typically used to achieve a polished and finished look for your French bulldog’s coat. These blades include 3F, 4F, and 7F. They work well for dogs with fine, soft coats, those that are regularly brushed and clipped, and those without a heavy undercoat.
However, they may not be suitable for dogs with thick undercoats or those that are matted. These blades can make the coat look smooth, but they are not recommended for heavy coats or heavy mats.
A skiptooth blade is characterized by missing teeth, which makes them suitable for certain grooming tasks, such as cutting through rough or matted coats before bathing.
They can also be used for the final cut if you prefer a layered and tousled look for your dog’s coat. Grooming with skiptooth blades are common before bathing a dog who has very heavy and matted coat, as they cut through the matting more effectively. They can also give a more textured and layered look on the final cut if that’s the desired grooming style.
Clipper blades today come in different materials including stainless steel or ceramic. They usually include elements such as carbon, chrome, silver, or titanium. These different elements offer their own unique benefits.
For example, blades infused with carbon have a harder cutting surface that can stay sharper for longer. Chrome-finished blades may offer more rust resistance. Oster’s Cryogen blades use silver which possess antimicrobial properties that could be particularly beneficial for professional groomers by controlling the growth of bacteria. Certain blades also undergo ice-tempering to enhance rust-resistance and keep them cool for longer during grooming session.
Clipper blades can also have different “edgings” to affect their performance.
There are also wide blades and special blades for clipping near the paws.
We recommend using a professional-grade clipper when grooming a French bulldog, as their coats tend to be thicker and may be wavy or curly. A pet trimmer may not have enough power to effectively groom this type of coat. A high-quality clipper with one or two speed settings should be able to handle the job with ease.
When considering what blade to use on a French bulldog, the most common recommendation is a #7 blade for short coat. However, if you prefer your French bulldog to have a longer coat, you can opt for a #3 blade or #4 blade instead. It’s important to remember that proper preparation, such as thoroughly brushing the coat, is essential for achieving the best results.
A #10 blade or similar can be used to maintain a clean appearance under the French bulldog’s tail. Additionally, a #7 blade (or a #10 blade) can be used to trim around the paws to prevent bringing excessive mud and snow into the house.
From our experience, we found that blades from both Andis and Oster are of high quality. Among them, the CeramicEdge blades are particularly noteworthy as they tend to remain cooler for longer periods of time. This can be especially beneficial when grooming for extended periods of time, as the blades can become hot which can make it uncomfortable for your French bulldog. To combat this, it’s recommended to take breaks or use cooling products to cool the blades off.
We recommend the Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper as the best option for grooming French bulldogs. This model has been on the market for years and has consistently proven to be reliable and effective. Professional groomers, veterinarians, and dog show handlers often start with this clipper and continue to use it for years. It is a heavy-duty clipper that can easily handle grooming multiple dogs in a day.
The clipper is known for being quiet, reliable and keeping cool during operation, making it comfortable for the dog. It’s designed to last for a long time. This corded clipper is available in a one or two-speed model, and comes with a #10 Cryogen-X blade, blade guard, oil and grease, cleaning brush, carbon brush and spring assemblies, as well as operation and blade care manuals. Oster has a well-established reputation in the industry for producing high-quality clippers.
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Another good option to consider is the Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper, which is cordless and known for its quiet operation and lightweight design, which makes it easy to groom your French bulldog anywhere. It runs for 80 minutes on a full charge, making it a good choice for trimming around paws and face, as well as for finishing touches.
It’s best suited for dogs with lighter coats and not heavy ones. This kit includes the clipper, two rechargeable battery packs, a storage case, charging base with an indicator light, 4 different snap-on attachment combs, cleaning brush, and blade oil.
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Another great option is the Andis AGC 2-Speed Professional Detachable Blade Clipper, which is known for its cool and quiet operation. This powerful clipper is suitable for all dog breeds and coat types. It comes with a 14-foot heavy-duty cord and the motor is protected by break-resistant housing, making it a durable option that can withstand heavy use.
Additionally, it requires no maintenance, as there is no need to oil or grease the internal parts. The package includes the clipper, a #10 UltraEdge blade, and clipper oil. It’s also available in a one-speed version, depends on your preference.
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Another one of our top choices is the Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper, which is an upgrade of the Oster A5 Golden model. It’s a heavy-duty, professional pet clipper with two speeds and is compatible with all Oster’s Cryogen X detachable blades.
This clipper is particularly well-suited for grooming dogs with heavier coats. It has a quiet and dependable motor and its casing is built to last. The package includes a #10 Cryogen X Detachable blade.
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This clipper offers you more control with its 5 speeds, allowing you to use lower speeds when grooming around sensitive areas and increase the speed when clipping through heavier coats. It’s also 10% faster than the Andis AGC Super 2-Speed Clipper. Additionally, it’s lightweight and has a powerful motor that provides up to 4500 strokes per minute, giving you more speed and control.
This clipper comes with a #10 CeramicEdge detachable blade that remains 75% cooler than steel blades and offers greater durability and a longer-lasting edge. The clipper also features an anti-slip grip housing that is contoured to fit your hand comfortably.
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Engineered in Germany, these clippers offer maximum power and constant speed control, making them particularly suitable for cutting through thick coats. The motor is built to last up to 10,000 hours. These are professional, corded clippers, equipped with two speeds and designed with an ergonomic shape, to help reduce hand and wrist fatigue.
The clipper is lightweight, low vibration and perfectly balanced. Additionally, the package includes a #10 Ultimate Competition Series blade set, that provides better cutting performance.
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This lightweight clipper boasts a run-time of up to 2 hours on a lithium ion battery, making it one of the most powerful cordless clippers on the market. It uses the same detachable blades as other Oster A5 clippers, and comes with a #10 Cryogen X blade.
This clipper is great for those who want the flexibility of a cordless clipper and its compatible with other Oster A5 blades, making it easy to switch blades for different grooming needs.
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When using clippers on a French bulldog, here are some tips to keep in mind:
It’s always recommended to get familiar with the clipper you have, take time to understand the different blades you have and their specific use case before grooming your dog. And if you’re unsure, consult a professional groomer or a veterinarian.
Proper grooming is important to ensure that your French bulldog looks its best, and that can include clipping. With so many clippers on the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose. It’s recommended to opt for a professional clipper with one or two speed settings, as they are powerful enough to handle the thicker coat of a French bulldog.
It’s important to understand the features you prefer before purchasing whether you want a corded or cordless clipper, or if you want to invest in a high-end option. With patience and practice, you can learn to groom your French bulldog effectively.