5 Best Dog Clippers for Golden Retrievers in 2024
Contents of Article
- What are the Best Dog Clippers for Golden Retrievers?
- Different Types of Clippers for Golden Retrievers
- Different Sizes of Blades for Golden Retriever Clippers
- Which Size Blade should you use on a Golden Retriever?
- Overall Best Clippers for Golden Retrievers
- 3 More Top Rated Golden Retriever Clippers
- Tips on How to Groom a Golden Retriever with Clippers
- Conclusion
Golden retrievers are a favorite breed for many people, but they do have one major downside: they shed a lot.
Proper brushing and overall grooming will mitigate this problem to a degree, but you’ll sometimes need to give your pooch a haircut. Ahead, we’ll take a look at some of the best clippers for golden retrievers.
In this article, we are going to cover:
- Clipper types and their differences
- How blade sizes vary, and what is right for your Golden
- The best clippers on the market
- Grooming tips for your Golden pal
What are the Best Dog Clippers for Golden Retrievers?
Different Types of Clippers for Golden Retrievers
There are a lot of clipper options for dogs, but it’s difficult to tell which will be the right one for your dog. In this section, we’ll take a look at the most common clipper types you’ll see so you can find the best dog hair clippers for golden retrievers.
Corded Vs. Cordless Clippers
Dog clippers almost always fall within one of two categories: corded or cordless. Each has its benefits and disadvantages when clipping your golden retriever.
Corded clippers are usually more powerful than cordless clippers are. You also don’t have to worry about them running out of charge since you plug them directly into the wall.
The downside to corded clippers is that you limit your mobility. You need to keep your dog in a fixed location for long periods, which isn’t always possible.
These clippers can also get a bit loud and hot. The heat might irritate your dog, and the noise can scare them away.
Cordless clippers offer much more mobility than corded clippers do. You can clip your dog anywhere – even when you’re away from home.
These clippers aren’t as powerful as most corded clippers, though. They also usually last about 90 minutes on a charge, which often isn’t enough time to complete the job.
A good middle-ground is cordless clippers that still work when you plug them into the wall. These clippers often give you the benefit of both clipper types, although they can get a bit hot as well.
Single-Speed Vs. Variable-Speed Clippers
Dog clippers will also be either single-speed or variable-speed. As the name suggests, variable-speed clippers have two or more speed settings to offer more cut options.
For golden retrievers, though, there aren’t too many different hairstyles to choose from. Variable-speed clippers offer you more options, but that usually isn’t necessary when you’re grooming a golden retriever.
Different Sizes of Blades for Golden Retriever Clippers
As we said in the introduction, golden retrievers have a double coat. This is to keep them comfortable in any season, but it also means they’ll shed their excess hair all over your house or apartment.
Since golden retrievers naturally regulate their hair, they don’t require too much maintenance. This also means that traditional blade lengths might be a bit too short for the breed.
Unlike human clippers, animal clippers get longer as the numbers get lower. A #3 blade leaves hair ½ an inch long, and a #10 blade will leave 1/16 an inch of hair behind.
The standard clippers come with #10 blades. These are the most common and work for the largest percentage of animals. Unfortunately, you probably don’t want to go this short on your golden retriever.
We’ll get more into the ideal blade length for your golden retriever below, but it should almost always be longer than the #10.
Since this is the case, the best dog hair clippers for golden retrievers are going to be those with blade attachments and removable blades. You might need to get an extra set of #7 or #7F blades to do home grooming on your golden retriever.
There are two different blade types for dogs: split-tooth and fine-tooth. The F that we included above is the fine-tooth indication. These blades give a clean, tailored look to the coat that split-tooth blades can’t really match.
Replacement blades are relatively cheap and work across different brands, so we didn’t put too much focus on the blade types in our review. It’s often easier to buy a new blade rather than search for clippers that come with a #7F blade as the standard.
Which Size Blade should you use on a Golden Retriever?
Golden retrievers are a bit tricky when it comes to blade length since you should leave some areas of their body untouched and style other areas with only scissors.
The legs, tail, and chest/belly area are all scissors for golden retrievers. Their hair doesn’t grow too long in these places, so it’s best to tackle them with scissors, so you don’t cut anything too short. Regular blades probably won’t do the trick here.
For the body, you should look at some of the medium blade lengths like #7 or #5. Fine-tooth blades are also common for golden retrievers since they keep their coats looking healthy and fresh. The 7F blade is usually the recommended length for home golden retriever clipping.
You should always comb your golden retriever before clipping to get the mats out, but #7 blades should cut through some of the thicker patches without an issue. You probably don’t want to go any shorter than that.
Overall Best Clippers for Golden Retrievers
| Our 2024 Picks: Best Dog Hair Clippers for Golden Retrievers: | |||
| Rank | Dog Hair Clippers | Price | Rating |
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Overall Best |
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$$$ |
A+
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#2 |
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$$ |
A+
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#3 |
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$$ |
A
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#4 |
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$$$ |
A
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Budget |
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$ |
B+
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Andis AGC2 UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Pet Clipper
Key Features:
- Runs cool and quiet
- Detachable blade
- Two speeds
- 14’ cord
- Shatterproof housing
The Andis AGC2 UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Pet Clipper is our top pick for the best clippers for golden retrievers. These clippers provide a long cord, multiple speed settings, and durable housing to prevent damage from accidental drops.
Corded clippers are usually the preferred option for most home groomers, although you don’t have the freedom to move around with your dog as you use them. Although the clippers don’t heat up quickly, they are louder than Andis advertises. Still, as long as your dog isn’t too sensitive to the noise, you should be good to go with these clippers.
- Durable and long-lasting
- Detachable blade – important for golden retrievers
- Long cord
- 2 speed options
- Easy to accidentally hit the on/off switch
- Louder than advertised
Oster Golden A5 Two-Speed Animal Grooming Clippers
Key Features:
- Detachable blade
- Durable housing
- Two speed options
Best Pick for Matted Golden Retriever Hair: The Oster Golden A5 Two-Speed Animal Grooming Clippers is our pick for the best dog hair clippers for golden retrievers with matted hair. Of course, you should always try to straighten out your dog’s hair before clipping. This tip is especially important when clipping a golden retriever.
These clippers are strong, powerful, and durable. They provide a detachable blade and two-speed settings for more of a precise cut. The detachable blade is crucial here since you probably won’t be using the stock #10 blade very much.
The only problem with this blade is that it runs a bit hot. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue since you’ll be keeping the golden retriever’s hair a bit longer than you would with some other breeds, but it’s still worth noting.
- Can tackle matted hair
- Housing is extremely durable
- Dual speed clippers
- Detachable blade
- Only other Oster blades will work with the clippers
- Can get a bit hot
3 More Top Rated Golden Retriever Clippers
Here are a few more options for the best dog hair clippers for golden retrievers.
Andis ProClip Speed Detachable Blade Clipper
Key Features:
- Powerful
- Runs cool
- Detachable blade
- Non-clog features
Another option that made our list of the best clippers for golden retrievers is the Andis ProClip Speed Detachable Blade Clipper. Although the blade works at high speed, it’s not ideal for matted hair. That shouldn’t be a concern here, though, since you won’t be taking too much off of your golden retriever.
Apart from that small snag, the clippers work fantastically. They cut smoothly through animal hair and are designed in such a way that they eliminate the problem of hair clogging the motor. The blades are also detachable, which is a must-have when you’re shopping for clippers for golden retrievers.
- Stays cool to the touch
- Doesn’t get clogged with hair
- Blades are detachable
- Not great for matted hair
- Some users reported durability concerns
Wahl Professional Animal Bravura Lithium Clipper
Key Features:
- 5-in-one blade attachments
- Lithium-ion battery
- 90-minute run time
The Wahl Professional Animal Bravura Lithium Clippers are one of the better cordless clippers out there and are a solid option for golden retrievers. Keep in mind that you won’t be clipping too many areas of your retriever, to begin with, so the drawback of cordless clippers might not be too much of an issue.
These clippers are also quiet and offer a low-vibration option. This is great for dogs who get a bit skittish – especially if you’re clipping around the ears. One must-have for cordless clippers is a lithium-ion battery.
These have one, which will last up to 90 minutes before it needs a charge. This is more than enough time to do some touch-ups on your golden retriever.
- Runs cool and quiet
- 6 attachments for different lengths
- Cordless
- Better for paws and face than it is for full-body clipping
- Can run out of charge midway through.
Wahl Professional Animal Deluxe U-Clip
Key Features:
- Full grooming kit with DVD
- 7,200 SPM
- Affordable
Value Option: The Wahl Professional Animal Deluxe U-Clip clippers are our value pick. You can grab a pair of these for only around $40 and can get several uses out of them before needing to upgrade. At 7,200 SPM, these clippers offer some of the fastest speeds you’ll see.
Of course, there is a “you get what you pay for” element to these clippers. You’re not spending a lot of money, so you can expect them to break down faster than some of the others we’ve included. They also run a bit hot, but the attachments should mitigate this to a degree.
Although the blade is not detachable, the attachments included in the grooming kit will give you everything you need for your golden retriever. Keep in mind that you’re getting more than just the clippers with this pack, which is why we think it’s worth considering – even with the durability concerns.
- Cheap
- Has multiple attachments
- Comes with a full grooming kit
- Durability concerns
- Runs hot
Tips on How to Groom a Golden Retriever with Clippers
Getting Started
Before you bring clippers into the equation, you’ll need to make sure your golden retriever is properly combed and de-matted. Combing your golden retriever will be your most frequent grooming habit.
Golden retrievers have an undercoat, which will help keep them warm during the colder months of the year. When summer hits, they’ll be shedding their topcoat like crazy to stay warm. Failing to brush your dog will lead to hairs all over your house and your clothes. Properly brushing your dog will also help keep them comfortable.
We recommend using a slicker brush to get the mats and dead hair out of your golden retriever’s coat. These brushes are better for dogs with long coats, such as the golden retriever. Take a look at our articles on dog brushes for more information on which products to look at.
Be Careful with Undercoat Rakes
Undercoat rakes are a popular tool for golden retriever owners, which makes sense. The breed sheds more than average, and these brushes get rid of all of the dead fur after a single session.
Using an undercoat rake isn’t inherently bad, but it’s not always necessary. These tools can damage your golden retriever’s coat if you use them too frequently or for too long.
Instead, use a normal slicker brush, shears, and some infrequent clipping to keep your dog healthy, happy, and looking great.
Use Scissors for Most of the Grooming
You can use clippers on your golden retriever, but you never want to shave their hair too short. The breed regulates their own coat to some degree, so they won’t overheat through their long hair if you leave it unchecked.
Clipping your golden retriever is more about slight maintenance and aesthetics more than anything else. They don’t need to be clipped every other week, and you can sometimes go months with using scissors and shears alone.
You can clip the body of your golden, but you should stick to scissors around the tail, legs, face, and underbelly. All you need to do is trim some of the excess hair in these areas. Again, you never want your golden retriever’s hair to be too short. This will only expose them to the elements.
What Cut Should You Aim For?
Now that we’ve covered some basic golden retriever grooming tips, it’s time to put the best clippers for golden retrievers to work. Some dogs have a variety of different cuts to choose from. With golden retrievers, your options are a lot more limited.
Sure, you can’t give your golden retriever a fancy haircut, but these are difficult to do anyway. Home groomers usually can’t perfect these complicated styles right away, so it’s sometimes a good thing that grooming a golden retriever is relatively simple.
When you let your golden retriever’s hair go, you’ll notice the longest areas around the neck, legs, and tail. You can trim these three areas with scissors and use clippers on the body. The neck will be long at first, but this is usually the style you want to go for.
Your goal should be to make your golden retriever look a bit neater than they do without clipping. You don’t need to keep them cool in the summer since they do that on their own. All you need to do is to keep them looking good.
Trimming and Clipping Your Golden Retriever
As we’ve covered, you’ll want to do the bulk of the trimming with scissors rather than clippers. Trim the areas around the snout and ears with blunt scissors to limit any risks associated with grooming a dog from home.
You should also trim the paws and legs with scissors. The paws should be neat and slightly resemble those of a cat. Once you’ve established this look, you’re good to go on these areas.
People are a bit split on the look of the tail. Some groomers prefer to let the tail go a bit and feather-out at the end, while others keep it shorter. The decision is yours here, but we recommend erring on the shorter side whenever you’re in doubt.
You should keep the neck/shoulder area longer than the rest of the body. You can trim this back a bit with scissors if you like but should stop before you go to short. Many professional groomers recommend that home groomers trim the neck hair through multiple sessions, so they don’t cut it too short.
Most of the time, you won’t need to trim the belly of your golden retriever. The hair in this area never gets too long, so just give him some brushes, and you’ll be all set.
Starting Early
It’s a good idea to start grooming your golden retriever when they’re still a puppy. This will help them get used to the process and comfortable when you’re clipping and drying them.
Dogs can be a bit skittish when they hear the loud noise of clippers or a blow dryer. Getting your dog accustomed to these sounds and sensations at a young age will pave the way for easier grooming as they get older.
That said, you don’t need to clip your golden retriever until they’re a bit older. Scissors will work fine in some areas, and brushing them will take care of the hair they shed.
Conclusion
As you can see, the type of clippers you use on your golden retriever is only a piece of the puzzle. For this breed, you can sometimes afford to cut costs in the clipper department and spend more money on a nice brush for them.
You shouldn’t clip your golden retriever too frequently. They shed their hair on their own, so there’s no need to keep them cool in the summer by cutting their hair. Still, these recommendations will get you through the infrequent clipping that golden retrievers will need.
Make sure you use safety precautions when using scissors and shears, and only clip certain areas of your golden retriever. When in doubt, always opt for the longer cut.
