Table of Contents
Does My Schnauzer Need a Pet Clipper?
Welcome to our Best Clippers For Schnauzer Review with three best items for this breed, tested and selected among all. We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you to find the best pet clipper.
Miniature, Standard and Giant Schnauzers are double coated, with coarse wiry upper coat and soft undercoat. You have to groom them regularly to keep looking neat and beautiful. The best way is to bring your pup to a professional groomer. But this is time and money consuming, as far as Schnauzers need regular trimming and clipping. Investing in a good pet clipper is a key issue for further comfort both for you and your Schnauzer.
Best Clippers for Schnauzer – Overview and Rating
Author's Choice  | Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Clipper
| Check Price |
|---|---|---|
People's Choice  | Oster A5 2-Speed Animal Grooming Clipper
| Check Price |
Premium Choice  | Wahl Professional Animal KM5 2-Speed Pet Clipper
| Check Price |
Detailed Overview
Author’s Choice
Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Clipper
- Blades: Detachable blades, easy to change and clean. Over 20 sizes are available. Comes with #10 blade
- Operation: 2-speed powerful motor, yet running quietly
- Corded: 14
Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Clipper is the best dog clippers for Miniature Schnauzer, as well as for Standard and Giant with the same coat type. It works at 2 speeds: normal for most cutting needs and high: 25% faster for heavy coats. Super 2-Speed is 40% faster. This is a magnificent maintenance free device. It does not require any oiling or greasing of internal parts. Blade oil is included into the kit.
Some customers chose between UltraEdge and ProClip series – Andis AGC 2 speed clipper. In fact they are very similar, with the same functions and options, but the last one has less powerfull speed modes. Our tests proved better speed for UltraEdge, making it our choice for the coarse Schnauzer hair.
Features
- Type: Pet grooming clipper
- Direct Purpose: For grooming dogs and cats
- Motor type: Rotary
- Number of speeds: 2
- Number of cuts per minute: 3400 / 4400
- Type of blade unit: Andis Ceramic Edge size 10, standard A5
- Cutting height: Size 10
- Material of the fixed part of the blade: Carbon steel
- Material of the active part of the blade: Ceramic
- Power supply: Corded only
- Body material: Polymer
- Motor type – Brushless
- High frequency of cutting
- Reduced vibration
- Very light weight
- Country of production: USA
Pros:
- Extremely quiet running
- Heavy-duty, with powerful motor, thus suitable for coarse coats like Schnauzer’s
- Easy to clean the detachable blades
Cons:
- The blade may overheat
- Corded
Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Clipper Unboxing
What is in the Box
Let’s first look at what’s written on the box. The box shows the clipper itself, it says it’s super powerful and suitable for all types of coats. On the back we see it comes with the clipper, adapters for worldwide outlets, the blade that comes with it and the oil. And now let’s have look inside.
The clipper comes in two versions: 2-speed and Super 2-speed, which differs in RPM.
Ours is Super 2-speed with higher rotational potential.
Design Key Features
At first glance, the clipper looks reliable and quite handy. There is a button to switch between the speeds. In the middle there is a small red button. This is the fuse. Therefore the button is under your hand, but nevertheless it does not move spontaneously thanks to the fuse. Pressing it with the finger is quite easy: it moves to one or the other position.
The Blade & Overheating Problem
The clipper comes with standard 1,5 mm, size 10 blade Andis UltraEdge Detachable Clipper Blade. It is detachable, so it is easy to change one blade for another, or for the identical one while working. If it gets hot, you don’t not wait for it to cool down, but remove the hot one and put exactly the same cold one. And we go on with the clipping. This is very convenient for groomers who have a lot of work. And for those whose dog has a dense harsh coat, like Schnauzers do. And working with them takes quite a lot of time.
If you replace Andis UltraEdge Detachable Clipper Blade with a ceramic one Andis CeramicEdge Carbon-Infused or similar, it slides better and therefore there is less friction. As a result – less overheating. It’s more durable and long lasting. Working at lower speed also reduces heating.
The blade is easy to remove for cleaning.
Clipper Body
The polymer body is shockproof, it’s not slippery, and it has a slightly textured surface, plus notches, pretty good in the hand.
The heavy-duty cord is 14″ long, with the adapter at the end. The adapter is not inside the clipper to firstly reduce the size of the body, secondly to reduce the weight of the clipper, and thirdly to reduce the heat.
For those who prefer cordless clippers to be more flexible, and can afford it, Andis has released Andis Pulse ZR II Cordless Clipper in Blue, or Andis Pulse ZR II in black and Andis Pulse ZR II Limited Edition Flora is coming soon. All clipper of Pulse ZR II series have 5 speeds in comparison to UltraEdge,
People’s Choice
Oster A5 Turbo 2-Speed Animal Grooming Clipper
- Blades: Detachable blades, machined and cryogenically treated, easy to change and clean. Comes with #10 blade
- Operation: 2-speed powerful motor, yet running quietly
- Corded: 12
The Oster A5 Turbo Pet Clipper is powerful and fast. It is ideal for anybody who does a lot of clipping, or clipping of rough coats, which take more time than usual, like Schnauzers. This clipper is used by many professional dog groomers and veterinarians. It has two speeds, turbo-charged, and you can pick how much intensity you need. You can choose among other Oster blades, or select from other top brands, compatible with the clipper.
For those who are ready to pay a little more for the upgrades, Oster presented its new Oster A6 Clipper (purple). It is also available in totally black, or black with blue stripe.
Pros:
- Provides quiet running
- Heavy-duty clipper with reliable unbreakable motor, for thick coats
- Efficient grooming results
Cons:
- More than enough power
- Corded
Premium Choice
Wahl Professional Animal KM5 2-Speed Pet Clipper
- Blades: Detachable blades, easy to change and clean. Comes with #10 blade. Ideal for clipping and trimming thick coats, matted coats, complete shave down
- Operation: 2-speed powerful motor. Low vibration and comfort to reduce wrist fatigue, runs quietly
- Corded: 14
Wahl Professional Animal KM5 2-Speed Pet Clipper is perfect for grooming learners. The KM5’s two speed options permit to clip with a selected tempo while Wahl’s exclusive Constant Speed Control works quickly on tangles, mats and dense hair by automatically kicking in the necessary torque. Ergonomically designed fits comfortably in your hand. Low vibration and balance prevent wrist fatigue even for longer operation.
Pros:
- Suitable for beginners
- Powerful enough for coarse and matted coats
- For noise sensitive pets
Cons:
- Price is more than average
- Corded
Best Clippers for Schnauzer – Buyer’s Guide
There are very big differences, especially in clippers or pet trimmers for domestic use, especially in terms of quality and thus also in price. Here a comparison of dog clippers should be made in any case. There are many starter models very loud in operation, which the dog will certainly not like. These clippers also overheat relatively fast and so the clipping of the dog’s hair can be quite long. The performance and cutting force of the clipper must be checked carefully, because a too weak performance will have far-reaching consequences. The clipper will pull and tug more than cut and the dog will not be clipped again so quickly. There is also the danger that small injuries may occur and inflammations may form. So who wants to save here, does himself and above all his dog no favor.
Different Types of Clippers for Schnauzers
- Corded Clippers
- Cordless Clippers
- Pet Trimmers
Different models of dog clippers are divided into professional dog clippers, which are used by dog groomers and veterinarians, and clippers for dog owners who prefer to do the clipping of their dogs by themselves. Dog clippers for domestic use usually have not sufficient power of battery. Those under 20 watts are too low to get through the coarse Schnauzer coat and with such a machine neither the dog nor the pet parent has a pleasure. Therefore a corded clipper is more preferable.
Criteria of Choice of Best Clippers for Schnauzer
- Clipper blades
- Power and cutting force
- Noise level
- Easy to use
Clipper Blades
Before you buy a clipper, you need to examine your pet’s coat carefully. Do you need it for regular clipping of the whole Schnauzer body or just for partial trimming? How long and thick is your pet’s coat? What does the coat structure look like? White color Schnauzers are softer for example. Depending on how the examination is done here, you will need a different shaving blade.
There are different shaving blades for each coat structure and breed. Therefore, clippers with exchangeable (detachable) blades are preferable in order to adjust them individually. For example, long blades are more advantageous for pets with matted hair. Different lengths also allow different patterns and lengths of coat
The blades should be as sharp as possible to cut the fur cleanly. If you are a beginner, you should preferably use a rounded blade to avoid injury.
Power and Cutting Force
Many clippers have a poor performance, and therefore have less cutting power. In this case the machine will pull the hair much more and the clipping will take longer. The pet will therefore be uncomfortable and restless when clipping. For cordless clipper, rechargeable batteries should have a power of at least 20 watts. The thicker the pet’s coat, the more powerful the clipper should be.
Noise Level
The volume also plays an important role in choosing the right pet hair clipper. Although this does not have a direct effect on the cut, it does make many dogs feel restless. Silent devices therefore make life easier for pets and owners. Once the Schnauzer is afraid of the shaving noise, this will lead to big problems.
Easy to Use
Who wants to buy a clipper he can’t handle? Ease of use and fewer functions can help you decide which dog hair clipper is right for you. Especially for beginners this can be a relief and provides security.
Schnauzer Harsh Coat Texture
Some dog breeds have lost their natural ability to shed. Among these are Schnauzers. Their hair has 3 stages of growth: young hair, mature and dead (old). So, Schnauzers have dead hair in their hair. That’s why twice a year you need to do a hand-stripping procedure, i.e. plucking out old hair. This is hygienic measure, as old coat is a discomfort. Thanks to hand-stripping, the appearance of your pet becomes well-groomed and neat.
You have to remember! You can’t replace hand-stripping with a haircut. This leads to the harsh coat becoming soft and fluffy. The rough hair has a non-standard structure: the hair at the base is thin, at the end thickened. After plucking, it grows back exactly the same hair, and the coat remains as before the procedure. After full body clipping the hair grows from the weakened base, so the entire coat becomes soft.
There are parts to be shaved by clipper: “A” part on the Chart
Schnauzer Clipping Guide
Hand stripping is a time consuming and detail oriented process, which is why shaving a dog may seem more desirable. However, shaving a Wire Coat damages the coat’s proper texture and color and is not allowed for the show ring.
Anyway, if you decided to shave the Schnauzer completely, including the body, here is a scheme with suitable blades, recommended by the American Miniature Schnauzer Club.
What Size Clipper Blade for Schnauzer?
Clippers with detachable blades have many advantages. First of all you can easily change them and make your
clipping customized according to your pet’s coat demands. Second – they are easy to wash and clean.
Schnauzers are trimmed with #10, #30 and #40 blades (see the chart above).
#10 is the most commonly used blade, coming with the majority of clippers. Apply it for Schnauzers top and sides of skull, body, neck, shoulders and back.
#30 is applicable for cheeks, throat and under jaw. Also for the rear, inner thighs and under the tail.
#40 or #50 is used for the inside and outside of the ears.
9 Tips on How to Groom a Schnauzer
- To begin with, the chin-chest line is cut by a clipper with #30 blade
- Hair on the cheekbones and sideburns is shortened by the silhouette
- The above the eyes hair is categorically prohibited to touch. It should be narrowed and evenly trimmed, i.e. not wider than the forehead
- The beard is by no means shortened, it is only given a neat look
- In the ear shells the hair must be plucked out or cut with a clipper (more comfortable for the dog). The outside of the ears is also treated. The ear shells are given a strictly contoured appearance.
- Clipping is also necessary for the belly, genitals and inner hips.
- All beams and bumps on the paws are trimmed. The result should be a neat cut of the paws with no corners on the coat.
- After the procedure you should brush your pet. I
- In 10-14 days, a cosmetic haircut should be done to remove “knocked out” hairs.
How to Use a Clipper
- Find a quiet place. The surface should be as non-slip as possible. Prepare all the necessary utensils in advance so that the coat can be cut as quickly as possible. It can be helpful to have a second person with you and to calm the animal with treats.
- Never hold your pet by force. This could scare him and cause him to wriggle nervously.
- Brush and comb the coat first. This way the first hairs already fall out and tangles come off. The clipper then comes through the coat more easily. In case of extreme matting, they can be cut out with scissors.
- Now start shaving the neck and torso. These areas are easier to cut than others. Continue over the back, chest, stomach and finally the legs.
- The cut must always be made with the direction of growth of the coat!
- In order to get an even result you should “shave through” without making heels.
- Be careful with sensitive areas such as the head, ears and paws.
- After clipping it is important to comb through the coat again thoroughly to remove loose hair. Your pet can relax slowly while you comb it.
How do I Treat Schnauzer Matted Hair?
Without regular care of your Schnauzer matting will quickly occur. This can cause him pain and in the worst case lead to inflammation. If you feed your pet quality food, matting can be prevented. A well-fed pet tends to have less tangles. If the matting has already occurred, you can proceed as follows: Comb and brush your pet’s hair daily to loosen the tangles.
If the tangles are already strong, carefully use scissors or a detangling spray. Only when all the tangles are removed can you give your pet a bath to prevent it from sticking together.
Schnauzer Itching Skin after Clipping and Hand Stripping
It happens quite often that Schnauzer’s sensitive skin gets irritated after clipping, and especially after hand stripping. You can calm and moisture it, using specially designed medicated shampoos and sprays. They will prevent bacterial growth and inflammation.
Frequently Asked Question about Best Clippers for Schnauzer
How do I Clean my Pet Clipper?
Cleaning your pet hair clipper is important and ensures the longevity of your appliance. The main blade should be kept as sharp as possible to avoid unnecessary wear, pulling or injury to the animal when cutting the coat. A brush makes it easier to clean the clipper. A special oil protects the blades from dirt and rust so that they remain sharp longer.
Can I Use a Human Shaver As a Pet Clipper for My Schnauzer?
A human hair clipper has basically the same function as a pet clipper. However, there are considerable differences: the shaving head of a human razor is too weak for the fur dogs. The coat of any dog and Schnauzer especially is much thicker than human hair. An ordinary hair clipper will therefore get entangled in the hair, and the hairs will come out rather than get cut. This causes pain and in the worst case, injuries to the pet’s skin.
Should I Bathe My Dog before Clipping?
We recommend washing a Schnauzer before clipping. During cutting minor injuries may occur and dirty skin may stimulate inflammations.
Summary
There is always the danger that the coat of the dog can become matted, and for such cases you need a powerful dog clipper. You should pay attention to the battery life, because it is no fun if the clipping process has to be spread over several times, because the battery becomes weak. It is also important to pay attention to the quality of the blades. For the dog there is nothing worse than if it tweaks and pinches all over the place or even the skin is injured during clipping.
So, if you have decided to clipper your Schnauzer yourself and you want to save money for a dog salon, you should not only look at the price when buying a dog clipper. It is true that there are clippers available from 50 euro up to 250 euro. But just who wants to save himself and especially his animal unnecessary stress, should rather reach for a somewhat more expensive device and leave the cheap equipment on the shelf.
Hi I have looked for cordless clipper. I have min schnauzer and lhasa Paso min schnauzer mix
I am 71 so cordless would be easier. Which is the best I am lost.they are both rescues the mix is hardest because he was severely abused so even with me he doesn’t Luke grooming. Please help need one ASAP
Hi Mrs Rose,
Thank you very much for trusting our opinion. Corded clippers are more powerful, which is better for harsh Schnauzer coat.
That is why we have selected them as best. But there are also some good ones among cordless, like Wahl Bravura. Many professional groomers use it and we also recommend it as the best suitable for your situation. Cordless clippers are less noisy, thus much better for dogs which don’t like grooming.
Please let us know if you need further help.
We recently purchased a standard schnauzer. We would like to purchase clippers to do the grooming at home.
We think the Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper, Professional Animal/Dog Grooming, AGC2 would work best but see so many recommendations all over the place and would like your opinion. Our dog does not like loud noises.
Hi Holly,
Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed is a good choice. In our review you can even see a video where Schnauzer is shaved with Andis, and hear the clipper works almost silent. Our research also proves it. That’s why we recommend it is an optimum combination of quality shaving and pet comfort.