TOOLS:
To start grooming your dog you are going to need a few tools. On the table below are several examples of tools you might want for yourself. I prefer the Andis clipper, they run cool, and do not have air vents that blow hair and dirt particles into the groomer's and pet's faces. Blades for the professional clippers are interchangable. You will need a variety of blades. Most clippers come with a #10 to use on ears, belly, potty track and in warm weather to clip the back and head. A #30 or #40 are good for the pads of the feet and ears. To clip the body longer you will need a bigger blade. My favorites are #4F, #5F, and #7F blades although I also use a #9 or #8 1/2 in warm weather. Any blade can be used clipping with or against the hair growth. If you clip against it makes it much shorter and smoother.
To start grooming your dog you are going to need a few tools. On the table below are several examples of tools you might want for yourself. I prefer the Andis clipper, they run cool, and do not have air vents that blow hair and dirt particles into the groomer's and pet's faces. Blades for the professional clippers are interchangable. You will need a variety of blades. Most clippers come with a #10 to use on ears, belly, potty track and in warm weather to clip the back and head. A #30 or #40 are good for the pads of the feet and ears. To clip the body longer you will need a bigger blade. My favorites are #4F, #5F, and #7F blades although I also use a #9 or #8 1/2 in warm weather. Any blade can be used clipping with or against the hair growth. If you clip against it makes it much shorter and smoother.
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In the photos I've shown several examples of shears. You will see long and short curved, long straight, bent shank and thinning shears. Each shear is designed to do a special job. No one shear is good for everything.
Brushes come in so many styles. Bristle brushes are useless as far as I'm concerned for the Mini. I prefer the red handled Franks Universal Slicker Brush, but everyone has their favorite brand.
You will see two styles of hemostats for pulling hair from the dog's ears. The smaller one is used on puppies.
There are three combs pictured. The long toothed comb is called a Poodle Comb and it is used for longer hair like on legs. The black comb is a teflon coated comb to help prevent static. It's the comb I use most often. The comb with a handle is a flea comb. There are many uses for this tool besides combing fleas.
Stripping knives come in many styles for many coats and purposes. I've shown two different styles. Unless you are doing some show grooming you will never use them.
Pictured are two styles of nail clippers. The small ones are for cat nails. I like to use them on young pups also. I prefer the orange handled ones. These come in different sizes. For Minis I prefer the smaller version of the orange handled ones.
There are many, many tools I have not shown. Some you might find useful but most you won't unless you are a full time groomer, all breed groomer or grooming for show. I do use a 'stone' after grooming where I've clippered. You can find one at a feed and tack store. Look for a shedding stone for horses. They can be cut into a smaller size to make them easier to handle. They give the dog a slick look and take off all the 'fuzzies'.
The photos will enlarge if you click on them so you can see them better. These photos are old but still good to get you started.
Brushes come in so many styles. Bristle brushes are useless as far as I'm concerned for the Mini. I prefer the red handled Franks Universal Slicker Brush, but everyone has their favorite brand.
You will see two styles of hemostats for pulling hair from the dog's ears. The smaller one is used on puppies.
There are three combs pictured. The long toothed comb is called a Poodle Comb and it is used for longer hair like on legs. The black comb is a teflon coated comb to help prevent static. It's the comb I use most often. The comb with a handle is a flea comb. There are many uses for this tool besides combing fleas.
Stripping knives come in many styles for many coats and purposes. I've shown two different styles. Unless you are doing some show grooming you will never use them.
Pictured are two styles of nail clippers. The small ones are for cat nails. I like to use them on young pups also. I prefer the orange handled ones. These come in different sizes. For Minis I prefer the smaller version of the orange handled ones.
There are many, many tools I have not shown. Some you might find useful but most you won't unless you are a full time groomer, all breed groomer or grooming for show. I do use a 'stone' after grooming where I've clippered. You can find one at a feed and tack store. Look for a shedding stone for horses. They can be cut into a smaller size to make them easier to handle. They give the dog a slick look and take off all the 'fuzzies'.
The photos will enlarge if you click on them so you can see them better. These photos are old but still good to get you started.