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My black mini has a very, very full and dense coat. It grows like a weed. I shave her face and literally one week later it looks like it needs to be shaved again. Has anyone experienced this and how often should I be doing her face and feet? Is every week excessive? Thanks.

CharismaticMillie

Every week is not excessive, in fact it's common to shave face, feet, and tail of a show dog every week.

What blade are you using? A shorter blade (30) can help the shave last a little longer.

all that jazz

I am using a 15 blade. I was hesitant to use the 30 because she wiggles when I do her feet. Should I be?

Doggroomer812

I do my spoo's face/feet every week. I shave him with a 40 (on the Wahl Bravura) on both face and feet.

mom24doggies

Once a week is perfectly acceptable. I could do my kids' once a week, but choose not to because I'm lazy lol. Usually I do it every 2-3 wks. If you want it to last longer, use a shorter blade. I wouldn't recommend a 30 on a wiggly dog, I've found 30s nick easier. Go for a 40 instead, as long as you're sure your dog's skin can handle it. I don't think I've ever nicked or burned my kids with a 40....both are black btw. Just use a light touch and keep the skin taut.

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"Love is the emotion that a woman feels always for a poodle dog and sometimes for a man." ~George Jean Nathan

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Isnt a 40 more dangerous then a 30 because it is sharper?

Ladyscarletthawk

not really, i dont even own a 30. They nick like crazy for me. I use 40s on all poodle feet 50s on mine. I use a 10 on poodle faces and a 50 on mine. The teeth are so much closer on 40's and 50s, and your less likely to nick them than if you use a 30. I find that you are more likely to cause clipper irritation with a 50 over a 40 so you have to be more careful with those. I used to clip once a week for 5 years on my toy but started to go much longer cause she had a thinner coat.

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Laura, Eve, and Fergie

mom24doggies

Neither is sharper than the other, or shouldn't be. A 40 can burn a dog more easily, but if you're careful and your dog's skin can handle it, everything should be fine. The reason I recommend against 30s, especially for beginners, is that the teeth on them are farther apart. A 40 has teeth that are very close together, making it more difficult for skin to get between them. I've nicked my own dogs several times with 30s, but never with a 40.

__________________

"Love is the emotion that a woman feels always for a poodle dog and sometimes for a man." ~George Jean Nathan

Ladyscarletthawk

amen mom24! Even less likely to nick with a 50

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Laura, Eve, and Fergie

all that jazz

I thought the 40 was scalpel grade that a doctor might use.