9 Best (Professional) Hair Clippers and Blades for Schnauzers in 2024

The popular Schnauzer actually refers to three different breeds – the Miniature Schnauzer, the Standard Schnauzer, and the Giant Schnauzer. Developed in Germany, the breeds were originally related and still resemble each other except for size. There are some slight differences in temperament and personality among the breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is described as being friendly, smart, and obedient. They make excellent family dogs. The Standard Schnauzer is considered to be fearless, smart, and spirited. They can be a little more willful. This breed was originally kept as a farm dog in Germany and is probably the original Schnauzer breed. The Giant Schnauzer is described as loyal, alert, and trainable. The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful dog. They have been used for military and police work in the past. The Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular of the Schnauzer breeds, ranking in the AKC’s top 20 for many years.

If you like Schnauzers, all of these breeds sport a similar, very recognizable hair style. You can learn to groom and cut your Schnauzer’s coat at home with a little practice. We can show you the best hair clippers and blades for the Schnauzer. Many dogs prefer to be groomed at home, in familiar surroundings and you may find that you enjoy grooming your dog. Grooming your dog at home instead of going to a professional groomer can also save you money.

In general appearance, all three Schnauzer breeds are similar. An expert would be able to look at a silhouette of the dogs, regardless of size, and tell one breed from another. For most people, however, all of the Schnauzers look very much alike. This is partly due to their iconic hair style.

All three breeds have a dense, wiry, double-coat. The outer coat is weather-resistant. The undercoat is soft. Dogs that are shown in dog shows have their coats “hand-stripped.” This is labor-intensive work. It means that the groomer/owner/handler uses a small stripping knife with serrated edges to carefully remove dead hair from the coat.

Schnauzers in general do not shed much if they have a stripped coat. Coats that are clipped will shed more. Although they are considered a “low-shedding” breed, they are not “hypoallergenic.” All dogs produce some skin flakes, dander, and saliva (which can be spread around on dog hair). These things, rather than the dog’s hair, trigger allergies. If you are allergic to dogs, it’s recommended that you meet individual dogs to see how you react to them. A Schnauzer could be a good match for you but it just depends on the individual dog.

The Schnauzer Coat

This typically includes frequent brushing and combing, washing the beard and leg furnishings, dental care, and trimming the nails. You should expect to give your Schnauzer a bath about once a month, unless he gets into something dirty and needs one more often. His ears should also be checked weekly for excess wax and debris.

If you decide to keep your Schnauzer in a short clip, they usually need a trim about every 4-5 weeks. You can take your Schnauzer to a professional groomer for clipping or you can learn to clip your dog’s coat yourself at home.

For Schnauzer coats that are hand-stripped, they can be maintained for a long time with regular brushing and plucking out long hairs.

Some pet owners hand-strip their Schnauzers but for most people it’s much easier to use clippers to achieve the desired look. Clippers are faster and easier than hand-stripping. However, once your Schnauzer’s coat has been clipped, the texture of the coat will be changed. It will no longer have the harsh outer coat. Instead, your dog will have a soft coat. This might not ever bother you as long as you are aware that this is not the normal coat for Schnauzers. After the coat is clipped it is no longer water-resistant. Schnauzers will also shed more after they are clipped and they can be more prone to matting. Clipping your Schnauzer usually leads to the coat becoming lighter over time.

Despite these drawbacks to clipping, it’s more practical for many pet owners who just don’t have the time or skill to hand-strip their dogs. Most professional groomers do not offering hand-stripping as a service. If you get your dog from a breeder, s/he might strip your dog for you but you should definitely pay them for their time and work since this is a lot of work to groom a dog.

If you are clipping your Schnauzer’s coat short, there are all kinds of clippers available such as corded and cordless; single-speed and multi-speed. Pet trimmers can be a good choice to use in sensitive areas and around the face. There are also lots of different blades so you can choose how long or short to cut your dog’s coat.

Most people need a good set of professional quality clippers, several different blades in different sizes, a pair of thinning shears (scissors), and a good brush and comb to groom their Schnauzer. We can show you the best hair clippers and blades for Schnauzer.

Top Schnauzer Clips and Cuts

If you have a Miniature Schnauzer and you want him to have a classic look, you will find everything you need to know in the grooming section of the American Miniature Schnauzer Club. This is, without question, the best grooming section for a breed online. It tells you which grooming tools you need, gives you charts to groom your dog – including where to use which clipper blade, and tells you what to do every step of the way. We wish every breed provided this kind of step by step information!

In case you are wondering, the AMSC recommends a #10 clipper blade for the dog’s body, a #30 or #40 blade for the ears, and perhaps a #7F (full tooth) blade for dogs that have a thinner coat or for keeping more coat on your dog in cold weather.

If you don’t like the classic hair cut, you can give your Schnauzer a puppy cut which is popular with many small breeds. This is an all-over cut that is fairly short. The hair around the face is kept a little longer and shaped as you like it. You can choose how short or long you want to leave the coat with a puppy cut. The length of coat after the cut usually ranges from about 1/3 of an inch to several inches.

You can also shave your Schnauzer’s coat very short. A #7 blade will usually work for most Schnauzer, though you can shave the coat and leave it longer or shorter, depending on what you and your dog prefer. When you shave your dog, you will usually leave longer hair on the head and ears. Many people also leave some longer coat on the legs. Remember that if you shave your Schnauzer he may get cold and need a sweater, especially in cooler weather. The benefits of shaving your Schnauzer’s coat are that it is very low maintenance. You won’t have to brush it very often and it won’t get tangles.

Some people prefer a “natural” look for their Schnauzer. With this look the coat is allowed to grow out. You will likely need to trim some of the hair around the face so it doesn’t get in your dog’s eyes. If you let your Schnauzer’s coat grow out you will need to brush it daily so it doesn’t mat.

Some of the Schnauzer’s distinctiveness comes from his face. This is due to the fact that the breeds have a beard and eyebrows. You can see some of the many ways owners and groomers handle the beard and brows. If you are grooming your dog at home, you can decide how you want your Schnauzer’s beard and brows to look.

You can use these cuts as a guide for clipping all of the Schnauzer breeds.

You should be able to do these clips at home with a good set of clippers. Some styles will look better if you use some thinning scissors to blend the hair, especially around the head and face. Anyone can learn to use thinning scissors but it does take some practice. It’s easy to accidentally take a chunk of hair out of your dog’s coat, for example.

In general, the more teeth a pair of thinning scissors has, the more hair they will remove with one little cut but there are exceptions. Some thinning scissors have teeth on both blades; some only have teeth on one side. Some are made for blending while others are made to remove large amounts of hair at one time.

If you are buying thinning scissors, read the descriptions carefully. Be careful about using them on your Schnauzer until you get the hang of them. We suggest that you don’t buy super expensive thinning scissors while you are learning to use them. (There are some thinners that cost a fortune.) Learn with some nice, moderately-priced thinning shears. You can buy some really good ones later, after you are good with them. Like clipper blades, thinning shears can be sharpened if they start to get dull so don’t toss them away if they lose their edge.

See if you can watch the groomer groom your dog. Even if you can’t watch, your dog should have a good basic cut so you will have an outline when you start using your own clippers.

If you got your dog from a breeder, don’t be afraid to ask for some grooming tips. Most breeders are happy to give grooming advice. You can also visit a dog show or a trade show for grooming tools such as clippers to see how professionals use clippers on dogs. Watch the terrier people groom their dogs. They are experts with strippers and other tools that are often used on Schnauzers. There are even grooming competitions that are fun to watch. You can learn a lot from watching these experts work. And, of course, you can sometimes find some good Youtube videos with groomers working on your breed.

Different Types of Schnauzer Clippers

There are four basic kinds of clippers for grooming your Schnauzer.

• Corded clippers. Corded clippers are used by professionals and people that show dogs. They have an electrical cord. They are good for people that groom a lot of dogs and need a sturdy clipper.
• Cordless clippers. Cordless clippers are popular with some professional groomers and with some people that groom at home. They are usually lightweight and easy to hold so there is less hand fatigue. They usually run on batteries that can last up to two hours.
• Corded/Cordless clippers. These clippers can operate with or without a cord. Use them with a cord while the battery is charging. You can use them cordless when the battery is charged. There are only a few clippers that are corded/cordless.
• Pet trimmers. Trimmers can be a good choice if you need something to trim around your dog’s paws, face, and tail. They are less expensive than clippers but they are also less powerful.

Key Components of a Top-Rated Set of Clippers for Schnauzer

You will need good quality clippers to groom your Schnauzer. People who purchase cheap clippers usually have to go back and buy some good clippers when the cheap ones don’t do the job. Plus, you won’t get good results when you groom your Schnauzer with poor quality clippers.

Here are some things we look for in a top-rated set of clippers for Schnauzer:

• Don’t buy cheap clippers. You will save money in the long-run if you buy good clippers from the start even if they cost a little more. Expect to spend about $100 (plus or minus) for good clippers.
• Good clippers are powerful but they should be relatively quiet with low vibration.
• Good clippers should cut your Schnauzer’s coat easily. If your clippers start having problems cutting it could be time to have your blade sharpened. Keeping your clippers clean and brushing out the fine hairs after using them will also keep them working better.
• We recommend clippers that have a minimum of 3500 strokes per minutes (SPM) so they will be able to work on all coats.
• Top-rated clippers should not heat up quickly. All clippers will get warm when you use them after a while but good clippers should not get hot after five minutes.
• Top quality clippers should be comfortable in your hand. Some clippers today have an ergonomic design so they reduce hand fatigue.
• You can use cordless clippers on your Schnauzer but keep in mind that these clippers usually need to be recharged in 60-120 minutes, depending on the model. It can take longer than this to finish some cuts, depending on how cooperative your dog is. If you groom your dog in several short sessions this won’t be a problem but if you like to groom your dog at one time you might do better with a corded clipper.
• Top-rated clippers should be durable. Consider your clippers to be an investment. If you take care of them they should last for years. Good companies such as Andis and Oster have parts available if you need to have a repair made or replace a part.

Picking the Perfect Schnauzer Clipper Blade Size

Most professional clippers have detachable blades. Clippers usually come with a standard #10 blade which is good for grooming many different breeds. You can easily remove or “detach” the blade from the clippers and replace it with any other blade that you purchase. Blades come in all sizes so you can cut your dog’s hair as short as you want – or keep it longer. The higher the blade number, such as #30, the shorter the hair will be when you cut it. The lower the number, such as #3, the longer the hair.

Some clippers also come with snap-on or magnetic combs which fit over the clipper blade. These combs let you trim a long coat without cutting it too short. If your clipper doesn’t come with combs, you can purchase them separately. They are not very expensive. Be sure the snap-on or magnetic combs you buy will work with your particular clipper.

Here are some recommended blades for popular Schnauzer cuts:

• Matted Coat – #7F
• Throat, Ears, & Cheeks – #10
• Body & Tail – #7, #5, #4F
• Legs – #3 with ¾” Comb

If you’re going to buy extra blades to go with your new clippers, these would be blade sizes to consider.

If you’re wondering how much hair each blade will leave after the cut, here is a list of blades:

Blades

“F” is for a “finishing” or fine blade which is for a smooth, blended cut. Some blades also come in a skip tooth version which is a good choice for getting through a matted coat (the #3, #4, #5, and #7). Many groomers will start on a dog’s coat using a skip tooth blade to remove more coat and then gradually finish it or make it look smoother with a finer blade.

There are all kinds of blades made of different materials, for different purposes but most good blades will be suitable for grooming your dog at home. Andis and Oster both make excellent blades. They can be used interchangeably in most clippers, regardless of the manufacturer.

Best Schnauzer Clippers

*Our recommendations are intended for people who groom their Schnauzer at home.*

Our 2024 Picks: Best Hair Clippers and Blades for Schnauzers
	Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Black Detachable blades and removable drive cap make cleaning easy Includes a 14-foot heavy-duty cord so you can easy move around. Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster A6 Slim 3-Speed Pet Clipper, Purple These clippers have extremely low vibration and noise The Oster A6 Slim 3-speed clipper is ergonomically designed Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Easy Clip Mini Trimmer II Compact and powerful Ideal for trimming around ears, face and paws. Designed for light-duty body clipping Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Oster A5 Turbo 2-Speed Pet Clipper, Dark Blue Goes through thick coat easily, including mats. Detachable blade system is very versatile. Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit Lightweight and cordless. 5500 strokes per minute and 80 minutes of battery run-time. Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster Power Max 2-Speed Pet Clipper, Purple 2 speeds, up to 4,200 SPM Lightweight, ergonomic design Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Dog & Cat Clipper Kit Durable, lightweight, quiet Low vibration and no maintenance Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog & Cat Clipper Lightweight with superior comfort Ergonomic design makes them easy to hold and use Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Excel 5-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Indigo Blue 5 speeds, up to 4,500 strokes per minute Comes with a size 10 Ceramic Edge detachable blade and a tube of blade oil Price: $$$$	CHECK PRICE

Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Black

Key Benefits

• Detachable blades and removable drive cap make cleaning easy and the locking blade hinge keeps it secure.
• The 2-speed sealed rotary motor runs cool and has plenty of power to handle a Schnauzer coat.
• Includes a 14-foot heavy-duty cord so you can easy move around.
• Works with all UltraEdge, CeramicEdge and ShowEdge blades—plus, it’s also compatible with Oster A-5 blades.

Overall Best Schnauzer Clippers – Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper is a great choice for Schnauzers. This is our go-to set of clippers for many breeds because they are reliable and they have enough power to handle most coats. With two speeds you can choose how much power to use. It stays cool even when you’re clipping a lot of coat. It also has a 14-foot heavy-duty cord so you can move around easily. This clipper is durable and perfect for anyone learning to groom. It’s also a good choice for people who have been grooming for years. Comes with the clippers, #10 UltraEdge blade, and clipper oil.

Some people like the Andis UltraEdge AGC Super 2-Speed (slightly more powerful) but we prefer the Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed. They are both good clippers.

Pros

• 2 speeds
• Durable
• Maintenance-free

Cons

• Andis makes a more powerful clipper in a similar style
• Some people like cordless clippers better
• Heavier than some other clippers
• The blade can get hot after a while but this is true of most clippers

Oster A6 Slim 3-speed Pet Clipper, Purple

Key Benefits

• These clippers have extremely low vibration and noise. Great for dogs that are nervous around clippers and more pleasant for you.
• The Oster A6 Slim 3-speed clipper is ergonomically designed, efficient, precision-tuned, and it has a heavy-duty motor that runs at over 4,000 strokes per minute.
• Zinc Alloy technology combines a lightweight ergonomic feel with heavy-duty, long-lasting durability.
• Angled eccentric drive system and precision calibrated motor are designed for an ultra-smooth, efficient cutting performance
• 3 Speed Settings: 4400SPM / 3600 SPM / 3100 SPM

Runner Up Best Schnauzer Clippers – The Oster A6 Slim 3-speed Pet Clipper is very comfortable to use. It has an ergonomic design and it’s very lightweight so it reduces hand fatigue. If you spend a lot of time cutting your Schnauzer’s coat or you groom multiple dogs, these may be the most comfortable clippers you can buy. They also have less vibration and noise than most clippers. People report that these clippers stay very cool. And, with three speeds, you can control how much power to use. Many professional groomers love these clippers. Comes with a #10 CryogenX Blade. This is a corded clipper.

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Ergonomically designed and comfortable to use
• Lower vibration and noise
• 3 speeds

Cons

• This is not a cordless clipper
• There are clippers that weigh less if you want an even lighter clipper

Andis Easy Clip Mini Trimmer II

Key Benefits

• Compact and powerful to keep your pup looking good between grooming visits.
• Ideal for trimming around ears, face and paws.
• Designed for light-duty body clipping on your furry friend.
• Features a snap-on precision blade for easy cleaning.
• Runs quietly so as not to scare your schnauzer.

Most Affordable Schnauzer Clippers – The Andis Mini Trimmer II is ideal for trimming around ears, face and paws and is designed for light-duty body clipping between grooming visits. It comes at a super affordable price-point and features a snap-on precision blade for easy cleaning. Compact and powerful, the Andis Easy Clip Mini Trimmer II Dog & Cat Clipper is quiet so as not to make your dog nervous or scared.

Pros

• Less expensive than most good quality clippers
• Includes snap on precision blade
• Quiet

Cons

• Not great for dogs with thicker hair
• Not powerful or heavy duty

6 More Top-Rated Dog Hair Clippers for Schnauzer

Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper, Dark Blue

Key Benefits

• The Oster Turbo A5 2-speed heavy-duty clipper is powerful, quiet, and reliable.
• This clipper is practically unbreakable. It’s durable and resilient even if you drop it.
• Goes through thick coat easily, including mats.
• Detachable blade system is very versatile.
• Turbo-powered for higher strokes per minute at two speeds: 3000 SPM Low, 4000 SPM High
• Compatible with all Oster A5 detachable blades (as well as other detachable blade clippers) and includes a #10 CryogenX Detachable blade.

The Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper is quick and powerful. It’s a workhorse. It’s perfect for anyone doing a lot of clipping. Many professional dog groomers and veterinarians use this clipper. It has two speeds so you can decide how much power you need. Compatible with all of Oster’s detachable blades (as well as other detachable blades). Comes with a #10 Cryogen X detachable blade.

Pros

• Faster and more powerful than similar Oster clippers
• Has two speeds
• Quiet, durable, and reliable
• Great for heavy duty clipping, including cutting mats

Cons

• This is a powerful clipper and it could be more than some owners need
• Some people might prefer a cordless clipper – but it’s hard to find cordless clippers that can do a good job with mats.

Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit

Key Benefits

• Lightweight and cordless.
• 5500 strokes per minute and 80 minutes of battery run-time.
• Perfect for clipping paws, face, and finishing work.
• Glides through the coat quickly and efficiently.
• Adjustable 5 blades that adjust from #9 to #40 and are detachable.
• Professional Cordless 5-in-1 Clipper Kit with 2 NiMH batteries.

*Note: For some reason, Chewy.com has these clippers listed for different prices depending on their color. The same clipper, in champagne/black, is also listed as a horse clipper on the site. Choose accordingly. We like the clippers but if you like them, check the prices before you order.

Quiet and lightweight, the Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit is an excellent clipper for trimming your Schnauzer’s paws and face. Use these cordless clippers anywhere. These clippers run for up to 80 minutes before you need to recharge. Comes with two NiMH battery packs, the clippers, a storage case, a charging base with an indicator light, four snap-on attachment guide combs, a cleaning brush, and blade oil. You can see how these clippers work using attachment guide combs in this video.

We looked at nearly all of Wahl’s clippers and many of them are best for use on the face, paws, and for finishing work. These clippers should be suitable for use on a dog with a medium coat, such as many Schnauzers.

Pros

• Cordless, lightweight, quiet
• Comes with two rechargeable battery packs
• Includes four snap-on attachment guide combs
• Good for trimming around your dog’s face, paws, and for doing finishing work

Cons

• Not a good choice for dogs with heavier coats unless the heavy coat has been trimmed first
• Only runs for 80 minutes before it has to be recharged
• They do get hot after a while

Oster Power Max 2-speed Pet Clipper, Purple

Key Benefits

• Two powerful speeds provide precision and control to handle any trim, cut, or ambitious pup-do.
• Lightweight and ergonomic design with rubberized stay-cool grip for enhanced maneuverability and comfort.
• Detachable blade system for quick, easy changing and ultra-quiet motor to help make grooming less stressful for your pup.
• Pro-inspired grooming solution is perfect for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and coat types.
• Includes clipper with antibacterial-coated CryogenX blade, blade guard, blade oil, grease, cleaning brush, two extra drive tips and instructions.

The Oster Power Max 2-Speed Pet Clipper is powerful enough to handle your Schnauzer’s coat. It also has a lightweight, ergonomic design for precision and comfort. It lets you groom swiftly. The handle has a rubberized grip that stays cool. Comes with a complete accessory kit and CryogenX blade with antibacterial coating for the smoothest, cleanest cuts. The ultra-quiet motor also keeps things stress-free for your dog.

Pros

• 2 speeds, up to 4,200 SPM
• Lightweight, ergonomic design
• Quiet motor
• Comes with accessory kit and CryogenX blade

Cons

• The 12-foot cord is not quite as long as cords on some other clippers

Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Dog & Cat Clipper Kit

Key Benefits

• Provides 90 minutes of full speed run time with a quick charge of 60 minutes; can be used with a cord while charging. Runs at full speed right up until the charge runs out.
• Versatile 5-in-1 blade technology adjusts the blade to sizes #9, #10, #15, #30 and #40.
• The lithium ion battery has no memory effect so it charges new every time.
• Durable, lightweight, and quiet; runs with low vibration and no maintenance.
• Professional quality powers up to 5,500 SPM and works on dogs, cats, horses, livestock and more.

This Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Clipper uses a lithium ion battery that runs for 90 minutes before it needs to be recharged. It recharges quickly in just 60 minutes. The clippers also come with a cord so you can use them while the battery is recharging. These clippers are durable, quiet, and lightweight. Like other Wahl clippers, they have a 5-in-1 adjustable blade that you can set to the length you prefer to use on your Schnauzer.

Pros

• Cordless, runs for 90 minutes and recharges in 60 minutes
• Durable, lightweight, quiet
• Low vibration and no maintenance
• 5-in-1 adjustable blade
• Comes with Professional Lithium Ion Cord/Cordless Animal Clipper, 5 in 1 Detachable Blade Set, (6) Attachment Guide Combs, Charge Stand & Charger, Soft Storage Case, Cleaning Brush, Blade Oil, and Instruction Book.

Cons

• The 5-in-1 adjustable blade doesn’t allow you to use detachable clipper blades as you can with Andis and Oster clippers. When buying blades for these clippers, make sure you purchase adjustable blades so they will work with these clippers.

Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog & Cat Clipper

Key Benefits

• Revolutionary performance with an extended motor life is ideal for all animal coats including dogs, cats, horses and livestock.
• Great for all-over grooming, including mats and complete shave downs.
• Designed for utmost dependability, balance and control, vibration and comfort to reduce wrist fatigue.
• Maximum power and torque; the Constant Speed Control automatically delivers more power when needed.
• Blades stay secure and are easy to detach; comes with a #10 Ultimate Competition Series blade set for better clipping performance.

Suitable for all coat types, the Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog & Cat Clipper is a professional, German-engineered clipper. It provides revolutionary performance and an extended motor life that lasts up to 10,000 hours. It offers maximum power and torque with constant speed control, delivering ore power when clipping through mats and thick coats. To reduce wrist fatigue it’s designed with superior comfort and control, featuring a correctly balanced, low vibration and lightweight ergonomic design.

Pros

• Lightweight with superior comfort
• Ergonomic design makes them easy to hold and use
• Powerful enough to groom any dog’s coat
• Durable with 2 speeds
• Includes #10 Ultimate Competition Series detachable blade set for better clipping performance.

Cons

• Expensive

Andis Excel 5-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Indigo Blue

Key Benefits

• All-purpose animal grooming clipper with the power pros demand; available in 5 popular colors allowing personalization and preventing confusion in busy shops.
• Lightweight, 5 speed rotary motor with up to 4,500 spm provides more control which is perfect for a variety of coats and breeds.
• CeramicEdge blade stays up to 75% cooler than steel and provides increased durability with a long lasting edge. It’s detachable for easy cleaning and greater styling versatility.
• New anti-slip soft grip housing is contoured to fit your hand, designed for comfort and confident handling.
• 10% faster than the AGC Super 2-Speed and it’s made in the USA!

If you’re looking for super clippers for your Schnauzer, Andis Excel 5-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clippers might fit the bill. Popular with professional groomers, these clippers have a powerful rotary motor that has up to 4,500 SPM so it can easily handle the coat of a Schnauzer. You can use slower speeds to keep it cool and clip sensitive areas. Use higher speeds for thicker parts of the coat. More expensive than most clippers but this is a top-of-the-line professional clipper.

Pros

• 5 speeds, up to 4,500 strokes per minute
• Comes with a size 10 Ceramic Edge detachable blade and a tube of blade oil
• The new anti-slip soft grip housing is contoured to fit your hand for greater comfort
• 10 percent faster than the Andis AGC Super 2-Speed clipper

Cons

• Expensive
• You may not need a clipper this advanced to groom your Schnauzer at home
• Reported to heat up if you use the higher speeds for a long time

Our 10 Step Schnauzer Grooming Guide

We can offer you some general tips on grooming your Schnauzer.

1. Gather all of your grooming materials in one place before you begin. Otherwise you usually have to search for your dog when you return.
2. Bathe and dry your dog before you clip his coat. Clipping any dog is easier if his coat is clean. Make sure his coat is completely dry.
3. Brush your dog’s coat well before you start clipping. A pin brush or slicker brush usually does a good job if there are no mats. If your dog has any mats you can try to work them loose or gently ease them away from your dog’s skin with a comb.
4. Your dog should stand still or sit while you are using the clippers on him so he won’t be accidentally cut. We suggest using a grooming table when you are grooming and clipping your dog, especially if you will be grooming your dog at home often.
5. It’s a good idea to let your dog play and exercise before you start grooming. This will help take the edge off his energy level so he’s calmer while you are using the clippers near him.
6. Ideally your Schnauzer will be used to the clippers from the time he’s a puppy so he won’t be afraid of them. If he hasn’t seen them before, let him get used to them. Let them run so he can get used to the noise. Give him some treats when you turn them on. Keep plenty of treats and cookies with you while you trim your dog. Make your first time trimming your dog with the clippers a short session and reward him so it’s a pleasant experience.
7. Most Schnauzer owners trim the area under their dog’s tail (the “sanitary” area), along with their paw pads. You can also trim a little hair under your dog’s arm pits to help avoid mats there. These are all sensitive areas so use caution.
8. You can follow the outline for the cut you have in mind. There are online sites and books that give advice on how to do specific cuts. You can also find Youtube videos for specific cuts. Check your clipper blade often to make sure it’s not hot. You can switch out the blade with another one or use a coolant spray to help it cool off.
9. Don’t worry if your first attempts at clipping your Schnauzer aren’t perfect. It takes a little practice to learn to clip your dog. You’ll learn quickly. Your dog doesn’t care if his hair cut isn’t perfect. He only cares that you love him.
10. If you or your dog start to become upset during a grooming session, take a time out. People and dogs can get frustrated. It happens. Your relationship with your dog is more important than getting the hair cut right.

FAQ

• Can you use all clippers on all Schnauzer? Most professional clippers should work well on all Schnauzer. We recommend that clippers have a minimum of 3500 strokes per minutes (SPM) so they are powerful to work smoothly. Some pet quality clippers and trimmers may not work well on your dog if he hasn’t been trimmed in a while. Clipping your Schnauzer should not be difficult with good clippers if you keep him trimmed every 4-5 weeks.
• Can you use pet trimmers on a Schnauzer? Pet trimmers are generally intended to be used on a dog’s face, paws, and in sensitive areas such as under the tail. You can use them on your Schnauzer in these areas. If you try to use them on your dog’s body coat, they may not work very well.
• What should you do if your Schnauzer’s coat is matted? If your Schnauzer’s coat is matted you should try to gently work the mats loose with a comb without hurting your dog. If this doesn’t work, try to work the mats away from the skin so there is some space between the mat and the skin. You can then slip the clippers under the mat. A #3 or #7 blade is usually recommended for removing the mat. Then try to blend this area of the coat in with the rest of your dog’s fur. If all else fails, if the Schnauzer is extremely matted, you can shave the coat fairly close to the skin. Check with your veterinarian if the dog has any skin damage. Regular brushing, even if your dog has his coat clipped, can help prevent matting.

Conclusion

Even though there are three different Schnauzer breeds, their coats are similar. All three breeds have a dense, wiry top coat and a soft undercoat. Preparing these breeds for the show ring takes a lot of time and work. However, you can achieve a similar look with good clippers and a little practice. It’s not hard to keep your Schnauzer looking good once you learn to use the clippers and take care of his coat.