Owning a Goldendoodle is a ton of fun but also a big responsibility. They require tons of walks and exercise, not to mention frequent socialization with people and other dogs. In addition to the everyday care a Goldendoodle needs, they also require recurring baths and haircuts.
If you don’t want to spend upwards of $100 every couple of months to have a professional groomer cut your dog’s hair, you can opt to do it yourself.
However, you’ll need a high-quality pair of dog clippers to cut through your doodles thick, curly fur. Otherwise, you’ll make a mess of your haircut and need to hire a groomer to fix your mistakes.
If you want to cut your Goldendoodles hair yourself but have no idea which dog clippers to choose, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will discuss the best dog clippers for Goldendoodles in 2025 so that you can give your pup a professional-grade haircut. Let’s get clipping!
Top 4 Favorite Clippers for Dogs
If you’re thinking of purchasing a dog clippers and not sure where to start, here are some of our groomer’s personal favorites:
- Andis Pulse ZR2 – $325
- Wahl KM Cordless – $300
- Wahl Bravura Mini – $200
- Joyzees Hornets – $100
While each of these clippers will get the job done, the Andis Pulse ZR2 and the Wahl KM Cordless are easily the most high-quality of the bunch. They are long-lasting, durable, and reliable, and allows you to have the best-looking pups out there.
The Andis Pulse ZR2 is especially effective for doodles with extra thick and curly fur.
It’s important to note that not all Goldendoodles are the same and some get quite nervous when you’re giving them a haircut.
In these situations, we recommend using the Wahl KM Cordless or a similar set of clippers, as they are very quiet during operation and can reduce stress in nervous dogs.
Should I have more than one set of clippers?
If you invest in a high-quality set of dog clippers, that should be all you need. However, if you want to go the extra mile with your puppy haircuts.
You can buy a smaller set of clippers, such as the Wahl Bravura Mini. These smaller clippers are ideal for cutting hair between paws, trimming the ears, and for other instances when you require a more delicate touch.
What about corded clippers?
If you’re planning to give your dog frequent haircuts, we highly recommend using cordless clippers, as they’re easier to operate and less restrictive.
However, if you want to use corded clippers, we recommend Oneisall Low Noise Dog Clippers. These are some of the most quiet and affordable clippers on the market.
What type of clippers do most professional dog groomers use?
There are thousands of professional dog groomers in the country, and they use a wide range of dog clippers. However, most of the professional groomers we’ve spoken to and dealt with use the following clippers:
- Andis Pulse ZR2
- Oster Volt Lithium Ion Dog Clippers
- Oneisall Low Noise Dog Clippers
- Furminator Dog Nail Clippers
With one of these clippers or one of the ones we recommended, you’re sure to have good luck giving your Goldendoodle haircuts for years to come.
How much do quality dog clippers cost?
High-quality dog clippers can cost anywhere from $100 to $300+ depending on the brand you choose. Andis Pulse clippers, for instance, are currently on sale for $325, but they usually cost upwards of $550!
However, while these clippers are head and shoulders above the rest, you can find high-quality clippers for $100 or less.
On the other end of the spectrum, you can spend close to $1,000 on some dog clippers.
The most expensive set of clippers we know of are the JASE Rechargeable High Power Dog Clippers, which ring in at a whopping $1,100! Unless you plan to become a high-end professional groomer, we don’t recommend getting a set of these.
Does price matter with dog clippers?
As with other things in life, the more you spend on dog clippers, the better they’re likely to perform. High-quality dog clippers tend to be sharper, more durable, and more precise than cheap clippers.
You’ll also notice that expensive dog clippers perform better for longer than cheaper clippers and the blades don’t grow dull nearly as fast.
However, if you want a budget-friendly clippers alternative, we recommend the Oneisall dog clippers mentioned above.
For an even better bargain, you can get these clippers as part of the Oneisall dog grooming kit, which also includes a nail grinder and a small vacuum.
Which guards do I need to groom my Goldendoodle
While having the right dog clippers is a good start, you’ll also need some important clipper attachments to give your pup a groomer-level haircut.
Specifically, you’ll need different guards for your clippers so that you can cut your dog’s hair at different lengths. Otherwise, you’ll be free-handing the whole time, and even the best groomers in the world would struggle.
Guards, also known as blades, will determine how long or short your dogs fur is. The most common length we cut our doodles to is ½” long, which is short enough to keep them cool and clean year-round but not so short that you’ll see their skin.
Whether you want to cut your dog’s hair even shorter than that is entirely up to you. You can also opt to leave it longer and wavier, which is a great look for a Goldendoodle.
Different sizes and types of blades
There are many different blade sizes and types to choose from. Blade sizes are indicated using a number system ranging from 1 to 50. The higher the number is, the shorter it will cut your pups hair.
In addition to sizes, there are also different types of dog clipper blades, such as FC blades. FC stands for finishing comb, and refers to blades where the clippers are all the same length.
These types of blades are ideal precision cutting, and we typically use them when we’re putting the finishing touches on a haircut.
You may also want to keep some skip blades handy for when you’re giving your dog a haircut. Skip blades have clippers of different lengths and are ideal for cutting matted dogs that haven’t been cut for a while.
However, skip blades can also be very dangerous in an untrained hand, and you risk hurting your dog if you aren’t careful. Therefore, we don’t recommend using them until you’re an experienced groomer with a steady hand.
What is the most commonly used clipper blade for a Goldendoodle?
The blade you use will all depend on the type of haircut you want to give your dog and how long their hair is. In general, however, the most common blade we use for our pups is the 5 blade.
This offers a nice, short haircut, but not so short that skin will be showing. If we want to give an extra close shave to one of our dogs, we use a 7 blade.
Vacuums for dog clippers
Vacuums are another extremely handy attachment you should have for your dog clippers. You can purchase a standalone vacuum specifically for cleaning up dog hair, or you can purchase clippers with a vacuum attachment.
Vacuum attachments are extremely handy, but they’re also prone to clogging if you don’t purchase a high-quality system.
For a professional-grade dog vacuum system, we recommend the Hanvey HairVac for Dogs.
The Hanvey HairVac is used by groomers nationwide and is easily the best vacuum system for Goldendoodles. You can attach your clippers directly to the vacuum so that hair gets swept up as you’re cutting it.
Benefits to investing in a dog hair vacuum
If you’re only giving your dog occasional haircuts, you can get by with a shop vac or your home sweeper. However, if you plan to give your dog or dogs regular haircuts, you’ll definitely want a vacuum system that attaches to your clippers.
Dog hair vacuum systems save a ton of time, both during cleanup and during the actual haircut. Vacuum systems also help give a better and more precise haircut by cleaning up for you as you go.
Lastly, vacuum systems can prevent clipper burns in sensitive areas. Just make sure that you don’t accidentally suction your dog’s skin too hard, as it can lead to irritation or create lines in the fur.
Washing your dog before a haircut
When people get haircuts, they often take a shower or bath afterwards to wash away all the loose hair. With dogs, however, it’s important to give them a bath before a haircut.
Bathing before grooming will remove unwanted dirt, hair, and grime and make it easier to give them a professional-grade haircut. Additionally, dirt can potentially dull your clipper blades, and a haircut will help keep this from happening.
Blow dry vs. towel dry: Which one is better?
Once you’ve given your dog a bath, you’ll need to dry them off before you proceed to the haircut. That brings us to the age-old debate – is it better to blow dry or towel dry your dog?
All in all, it’s better to blow dry your dogs hair, because it’s faster, more thorough, and more effective. However, some dogs will be afraid of blow drying, because of the loud noise that they make.
Therefore, if your dog is going to be anxious with blow drying, you can optionally towel dry them. Just remember that it will take longer and may not offer as good of results as blow drying does.
Once your pup is nice and dry and you have the right clippers and attachments, you’re ready to proceed with their haircut!
How often should you give your dog a haircut?
In general, it’s best to cut a Goldendoodle’s hair every six to eight weeks. However, if you like to keep them looking a certain way, you can give them a haircut every three to four weeks.
The main thing is that you don’t wait too long between haircuts. In addition to making it more difficult to give your dog a high-quality haircut, waiting too long between cuts can also present health risks.
Here are some of the main benefits to regular dog haircuts:
- Prevents their nails from breaking if you clip their nails when you give them a haircut.
- Prevents itching and discomfort.
- Helps guard against ticks, mites, and other pests that can cause disease and irritation in dogs.
- Improved skin and ear health.
- Reduced shedding and matting
- Helps you detect potential skin and health problems early on.
In addition to each of these benefits, giving your dog regular haircuts is also a great way to bond and build trust with them. You’ll get several uninterrupted hours of one-on-one time, which is a great way to build a healthy relationship with your pampered pooch.
Benefits of buying your own dog clippers
If you aren’t comfortable giving your dog a haircut or simply don’t have the time or desire, there’s nothing wrong with taking them to a professional groomer.
After all, that’s what they’re there for, and professional groomers are great at their jobs. However, if you’re willing to take the time and invest the money necessary to cut your dogs hair, here are a few benefits of buying your own clippers:
You’ll save money
The main advantage of buying clippers and cutting your own dogs hair is that it will save you money. Even if you invest in a mid to high level set of clippers, you’ll still save hundreds or thousands of dollars in the long run.
High-quality clippers cost anywhere from $100 to $300, whereas a single grooming session costs an average of $100. That means you’ll have your clippers paid off in one to three haircuts!
You can cut your dog’s hair to your liking
No matter how thorough your instructions are, there’s still a chance that your groomer won’t cut your dogs hair exactly how you want them too. This is especially true the first couple of times you go to a new groomer. If you have your own clippers, you can cut your dog’s hair however you please.
How to choose a good dog groomer
If you’d prefer to go the professional groomer route, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
The best way to choose a groomer is to talk to other people who get their dog groomed and ask them who they use. If you like the way their dog looks, it’s reasonable to think that their groomer is good at their job.
You can also ask local kennels or sellers who they recommend. Personally, we recommend using the Pampered Pup, as they’re one of the top groomers in the area.
Just be sure that you review and research whoever you’re leaning towards to make sure they get good reviews on Google and are liked by their customers.
Tips for grooming your dog at home
If you’re feeling brave and plan to go the DIY dog grooming route, here are a few tips and tricks to ensure a positive haircut experience:
- Invest in high-quality clippers with a vacuum attachment, as it will make life much easier for you and your pup.
- Use Q-tips or another type of ear cleaner to clean your doodle’s ears, as they’re prone to getting dirty and infected.
- Always clean your clippers and other grooming tools after each use to keep them sharp and ready to go
- Use treats to create a positive grooming experience for your dog and to get them to sit still
- Brush and bathe your dog before giving them a haircut, then dry them thoroughly.
- Use a dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner during bath time.
- Always trim your dogs nails, if needed, during bath time and haircuts.
- Watch how-to videos and ask your groomer for additional tips and tricks before getting started.
Common grooming mistakes to avoid
In addition to knowing all the right things to do when giving your dog a haircut, it’s just as important to know what to avoid.
For instance, it’s important to avoid over-bathing your dog, as it can lead to skin irritation, itchiness, and more. You should also avoid clipping your dog’s nails too short, as it can lead to bleeding and infection.
The most common mistake that new groomers make, however, is choosing the wrong blade for your dog. Choosing the wrong blade will result in a haircut that’s uneven, too long, or too short.
The wrong blade can also lead to you injuring your dog if you’re too aggressive with your clippers. If you can avoid these mistakes, you’re well on your way to a successful haircutting experience.
What do people on Reddit think about clippers for Doodles?
Aside from us and professional groomers, the best place to turn to for advice regarding clippers for Doodles is Reddit. Here’s what a few Goldendoodle owners and lovers had to say:
“I’m a professional dog groomer. I highly recommend Wahl Bravura 5 in 1 clippers (you can even by a set of comb attachments to be able to achieve the longer cuts you’re wanting). It’s relatively inexpensive in the grand scheme of the clipper world and will be the best bang for your buck. Replacement blades are in the $20-30 range, and it’s more worthy to replace the blades than to be bothered with sharpening them (which won’t even have to be that often with you just grooming your own dog)!”
“If you want to buy an affordable shears set for rounding the feet and trimming the bangs, Purple Dragon shears on Amazon are great for the price. Most groomers agree on that-the only downfall is they don’t last long if you’re a professional groomer and they don’t sharpen well. BUT for home grooming, they’re perfect.”
“Don’t let people intimidate you with grooming. I’m a self taught groomer, literally had no dogs prior to getting my pups and they’ve never stepped foot at the groomer’s. They all have always been home groomed. The first few grooms were rough looking, but ever since getting the proper equipment, they look great every time.
It is an investment if you drop the money all at once, but I collected it all little by little. I have 4 poodles so it paid for itself within the first groom.
- High velocity hair dryer – $100 on Amazon.
- WAHL KM Cordless clippers – $300 on Amazon.
- All types of blades, I prefer to cut them in like a 3F for the body and then scissor cut the legs.
- Chris Christensen slicker hair brush, I like the medium size bc I have small hands but the large size works great as well.
- Metal comb to make sure there’s no mats.
- Grooming table that has an anti slip board.
- Ear cleaner! I also got ear powder to remove the hair from their ears once they get super hairy. I don’t remove the hair every groom, just once it starts to look gunky.”
There are plenty of other great comments and pieces of advice for novice groomers, and you can check them all out here!
Final thoughts
As you can see, most people think it’s well worth the money to groom your own dog. The key is to have the right equipment and to invest in the right clippers for the job.
Otherwise, you’ll waste money going through one set of clippers after another and may not even end up saving money on home grooming.
Additionally, it’s essential to invest in several pairs of high-quality dog grooming scissors. You’ll need a pair of straight, curved, and thinning scissors, as well as blenders and chunkers.
While you’ll do most of your cutting with clippers, scissors will help you fine tune certain areas, such as your dog’s tail, ears, and whiskers.
As long as you have the clippers, scissors, and grooming equipment, you’ll be giving your dog professional-grade haircuts before you know it!