Shearing Clippers

[jhendric]

Folks, I have a question for the brain trust. I have a 120 pound Great Pyrenees LGD. He needs his fur to be clipped down as he's developed matts over the winter. Suffice it to say he doesn't like to sit still for grooming. I need a clipper that will get the job done in a hurry. I bought the top of the line model from Petsmart and it just too slow. I'm curious if the shears that people use on sheep would be the better choice. If so where would one go about getting those? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[oosik]

There is a Basque fellow - about 40 miles south - he has over 1600 sheep. Obviously - he and his staff do their own shearing. He told me that shears will cost anywhere from $75 to well over $600. He also said - " if you are lucky, you just might get what you paid for".

Commercial sheep shears ARE heavy. If you have no experience - you will likely injure the dog.

My recommendation - take you dog to a pet groomer. For $100 - more or less - you will get a professional job done.

Your dog won't learn to hate you as you fumble thru trying to shear him.

 

[scootr]

Look into horse clippers. Big heavy and loud. But they get the job done NOW.
We used Oster brand for years.

 

[ponytug]

Later or Wahl brands are good, (we have both) but expect to pay north of $100-200 for one tough enough for getting through matted hair. Get a corded version. Don't forget to get some cleaning/cooling/lubrication spray and keep checking how warm your trimmer head is as you go along. The trimming blades can get hot enough to inflict pain, if you aren't careful.

Premier1 fencing supplies sells a variety as does Tractor Supply.

For less extreme mats, I have used trimming scissors to help break them up, but that takes lots of patience everyone's part...

If this is a one off, I would be inclined to pass the buck to a professional.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I use a tool I have had for many decades and we call them blade(s) to do my friends dogs.
I think the internet calls them manual sheep shears now.
Most farm supply shops should carry similar I would guess. I did quick google.
I see they cost around $20 now.
For me they easily seem to cut through matted hair

 

[jhendric]

Thanks for the comments guys. My challenge with a groomer is that they are all "booked solid" and not taking new customers. Seriously, hard to believe I know. Also my dog doesn't easily get into the car to go to a groomer so it would have to be a groomer that comes to me, of which I have even fewer "all booked" choices. I'll look into the recommended clippers...again, thanks.

 

[sea2summit]

We got Oster A5 Turbo clippers then we use the A5 and 7F blades. Pyrenees have really fine hair that doesn't cut well compared to other critters, a faster blade speed seems to make a significant difference. Typically we trip their necks for a shock collar and matts in the spring time and these have worked well for that...not the cheapest but also not the most expensive.

 

[old and tired]

Thanks for the comments guys. My challenge with a groomer is that they are all "booked solid" and not taking new customers. Seriously, hard to believe I know. Also my dog doesn't easily get into the car to go to a groomer so it would have to be a groomer that comes to me, of which I have even fewer "all booked" choices. I'll look into the recommended clippers...again, thanks.

Just up the road from you and NO ONE is taking new dogs for groomers... It's been a very slow process but I've slowly gotten my dog to tolerate being exposed to clippers.

Really slow and sometimes it was just flipping the clippers backwards (NOT cutting) and rubbing it over him. Progress to cutting one or two knots... then back to the vibrating "message" of the clippers...

Good luck... hoping to find a good clipper.

 

[jhendric]

Update...I got the top of the line Andis clipper and a #4ft ceramic blade. That combined with the "chill pill" regiment from the vet got it done. My boy is clean, matt free and happy now. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[old and tired]

...with the "chill pill" regiment from the vet...

Our golden came to us on Prozac (recued) - we have him down to 6mg of CBD/day. We'll know if we missed a pill. Crazies comes out...

Are you able to share the "Chill Pill"? (our neighbor is a vet and could get us anything.)