The following information is intended to be purely a guide to assist in the selecting of a suitable blade, or blades for the many differing breeds, which are clipped. Every professional groomer will have his or her own opinion as to the right blade for the finish they require and it is not our intention to challenge that.

However with many newcomers to grooming including both dog owners wishing to undertake grooming their own animal/s and intending professional groomers, this guide may help to provide a starting base from which to expand one ‘s knowledge.

All blades referred to are of the "detachable" professional A5 type as used on those makes of clippers which take the detachable style blades. Screw fixed and other types of blades are not included. Oster blades have been used as an example in this chart. Please note however that blade cutting depths may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, please check blades before using.

CROSS BREEDS including – Curley coated, Wiry coated and Straight soft coated. Much will depend on the required length. Higher the blade number – shorter the amount left on!
Body & legs:	#40 but do use comb attachment to avoid skinning! Try also a #3F - #4F - #5F or #7F
If matted	#10
Head	#10
Tail	#4F
Stomach and under feet	#10
AFGHAN
Body matted:	#10
Saddle:	#4F
Stomach:	#10
AIREDALE
Body:	#7F- #5F- #4F - #3F
Head, and neck:	#10
Ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
Tail:	as body
BEARDED COLLIE
Puppy 2” long trim:	#30 + attachment comb
Stomach:	#10
Matted:	#10 or #7F
BEDLINGTON TERRIER
Face and ear	#10 or #15
Tail and body:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Stomach:	#10
BICHRON FRISE
Show Trim to 1 inch:	#30 + attachment comb
Short pet trim:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Matted:	#10
Stomach:	#10-#15
BOUVIER Des FLANDERS
Body:	#30 + attachment comb
Head, and neck:	#10
Matted:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
BRIARD
Puppy 2” long trim:	#30 + attachment comb
Stomach:	#10
Matted:	#10 - #7F
CAIRN TERRIER
Natural look – 2-inch:	#30 + attachment comb
Short pet trim:	#4F - #5F
Matted:	#10 - #7F
Ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
CHOW
Body:	#7F
Stomach:	#10
COCKER SPANIEL
Body sides and back:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Neck	#7F - #5F - #4F
Face, ears and throat:	#10
Stomach:	#10
COLLIE
Body:	#7F
Stomach:	#10
DANDIE DINMONT
Body, sides and back:	#5F - #4F - #3F
Ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
ENGLISH SETTER
Body, sides and back:	#5F - #4F - #3F
Head, and ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL
Body, sides and back:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Head, neck and ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
GOLDERN RETRIEVER
Body:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Stomach:	#10
GREAT PYRENEES
Matted:	#10 if very bad otherwise try #7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
IRISH SETTER
Body, sides and back:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Head, neck and ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
IRISH TERRIER
Body, sides and back:	#5F - #4F - #3F
Head, and ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
KERRY BLUE TERRIER
Body, sides, back & tail:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Head, neck and ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
LAKELAND TERRIER
Body, sides, back & tail:	#7F - #5F - #4F -#3F
Head:	#10
Stomach:	#10
LHASA APSO
Puppy clip:	#30 + attachment comb or #7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Pet clip:	#4F
Matted:	#10
Head – top:	#5F - #4F - #3F
Stomach:	#10
MALTESE
Puppy clip:	#30 + attachment comb
Pet clip:	#4F
Matted:	#10 - 7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
NEWFOUNDLAND
Matted:	#7F
Stomach:	#10
OLD ENGLISH DOG
Puppy clip:	#30 + attachment comb
Pet clip:	#7F – #4F
Matted:	#7F - #10
Stomach:	#10
PEKINGESE
Pet clip:	#5F - #4F - #3F
Stomach:	#10
POODLE – Kennel trim
Face, feet: and base of tail:	#10 - #15
Body:	#7F - #5F - #4 - #3F
Stomach:	#10
POODLE – Lamb trim
Face, feet: and base of tail	#10 - #15
Body:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Stomach:	#10
POODLE – Summer trim
Face, feet: and base of tail	#10 - #15
Body and legs:	#7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
POODLE – Dutch trim
Face, feet: and base of tail	#10 - #15
Body and legs:	#7F - #5F (Try using attachment comb on legs)
Stomach:	#10
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
Body:	#30 + attachment comb
Pet clip:	#4F
Matted:	#7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
Puppy clip:	#30 + attachment comb
SAMOYED
Matted:	#7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
SCHNAUZER
Body, sides, back:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Head and ears:	#10
Matted:	#7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
SCOTTISH TERRIER
Body, sides, back: Tail	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Head, neck and ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
SEALYHAM
Body, sides, back:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Head and ears:	#10
Matted:	#7F
Stomach:	#10
SHETLAND SHEEPDOG
Matted:	#7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
SHIH TZU
Puppy clip:	#30 + attachment comb
Pet clip:	#4F
Matted:	#7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
SILKY TERRIER
Puppy clip:	#30 + attachment comb
Pet clip:	#4F
Matted:	#7F - #5F
Stomach:	#10
WELSH TERRIER
Body, sides, back, ears	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Head and ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
WEST HIGHLAND
Body, back, sides:	#7F - #5F - #4F - #3F
Ears tips:	#10
Stomach:	#10
WHEATEN TERRIER - Soft coated
Body:	#30 + attachment comb
Pet clip:	#4F
Ears:	#10
Matted	#10
Stomach:	#10
YORKSHIRE TERRIER
Puppy clip:	#30 + attachment comb
Pet clip:	#4F
Matted:	#7F
Ears:	#10
Stomach:	#10
CATS – Persian and Longhaired breeds
Matted:	The matts varying from slightly to very badly
On the under body especially use	#10
This is as low/close as you can go – the cat will look pretty skinned as it is!
On the top of the body try	#7F