Tail Feathering

[jthatton]

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Anyone got any tips for making a feathered tail better? My friend has tried trimming with scissors but it looks a bit ragged?

 

[neave]

I use my OH hair clippers but he doesnt know :lol: :lol: it leaves a even finish :thumbsup:

 

[playawhile]

Anyone got any tips for making a feathered tail better? My friend has tried trimming with scissors but it looks a bit ragged?

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Make sure the scirrors are good and made for these type of activities and remember that it might take a couple of times before you get the hang of it!!

Henrik

 

[dessie]

I use one edge thinning scissors, using them against the lay of the hair, i.e. from tip of tail upwards. If it is a really hairy tail I use a small clipper (face clipper) and clipper with the lay of the hair first and then finish off with the one edge thinners going upwards.

 

[chelynnah]

I use thinning scissors as there's less chance of truly messing it up that way, but I have to say the best way is to see someone do it once or twice. I bought the scissors but was never brave enough to do it myself until I went to a show and had someone do it for me the first time. With Savannah (who has a nice short thick soft coat) I only ever needed the thinning scissors. I also use them to tidy up the 'trouser' area where the hair all meets.

When I got Teya her fur is slightly longer and less soft, so the thinning scissors ddidn't really do much and I had to get brave and use straight scissors. Usually I hack away with the thinning ones on both dogs then do a tidy with the striaght ones now. And I now use the striaght ones on the trouser area as well.

It really is difficult to describe in writing - it is easier seeing it done.

Wendy

 

[louisetope]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size]

 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors. The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump! Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

 

[jthatton]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size] 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors.  The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump!  Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

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Louise, do you use thinning scissors with a one serrated edge or two?

Thanks

 

[dessie]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size] 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors.  The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump!  Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

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Have to disagree and I have done plenty of dog grooming in my time, I used to show Cockers and English Springer Spaniels!

 

Some of my Whippets I will use the clippers on if they have a very fluffy tail, others I would only use the one edge thinners, some have never had their tail trimmed, it all depends on the dog ..........well, the tail really! LOL! If you go carefully with the lay of the hair you won't shave down to the bone and it takes no longer to grow back than using scissors. Plus I am not talking about wacking great horse clippers but the tiddly little battery operated things.

 

[T Hoare]

I use a pair of hair cutting scissors, going from base of tail to tip. I try to give a slightly more natural look rather than the 'rat tail' effect.

 

[suvi]

I must admit that I find clippers easier is the tail is quite feathery.

BUT word of warning do check that the plastic comb bit is on the end. Once I didn't realise that it had fallen off and I shaved Poppys tail almost bare underneath just before a show....

 

[alfyn]

I just use an ordinary pair of scissors :b

I wait until my dogs are snoozing & just trim away,usually start in the middle & work up then down.Must say their tails always look neat & tidy

 

[louisetope]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size] 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors.  The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump!  Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

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Louise, do you use thinning scissors with a one serrated edge or two?

Thanks

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I always use one serrated edge - with two you'll be hacking away forever!

 

[louisetope]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size] 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors.  The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump!  Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

 

Have to disagree and I have done plenty of dog grooming in my time, I used to show Cockers and English Springer Spaniels!

 

Some of my Whippets I will use the clippers on if they have a very fluffy tail, others I would only use the one edge thinners, some have never had their tail trimmed, it all depends on the dog ..........well, the tail really! LOL! If you go carefully with the lay of the hair you won't shave down to the bone and it takes no longer to grow back than using scissors. Plus I am not talking about wacking great horse clippers but the tiddly little battery operated things.

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I hope you didn't use clippers on your show cockers and springers (w00t) the ultimate sin :lol:

 

[05whippet]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size] 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors.  The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump!  Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

 

Have to disagree and I have done plenty of dog grooming in my time, I used to show Cockers and English Springer Spaniels!

 

Some of my Whippets I will use the clippers on if they have a very fluffy tail, others I would only use the one edge thinners, some have never had their tail trimmed, it all depends on the dog ..........well, the tail really! LOL! If you go carefully with the lay of the hair you won't shave down to the bone and it takes no longer to grow back than using scissors. Plus I am not talking about wacking great horse clippers but the tiddly little battery operated things.

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:lol: :lol: Caroline I do use "wacking great horse clippers" (w00t) (on the ones that need it...I agree with you,some don't) on my lot and they have neat and tidy tails that are'nt shaved...mind you,if you are new to it there is a knack to using clippers plus it all depends how "heavy handed" you are!! :lol: :teehee:

 

PS..I only use the horse clippers as they are the only set of clippers that I have (other than sheep shears) and I also use them on the Poodles also it saved me buying another set solely for the dogs as they are'nt exactly cheap!!

 

[Zephyr]

I use a pair of hair cutting scissors, going from base of tail to tip. I try to give a slightly more natural look rather than the 'rat tail' effect.

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Me too :thumbsup: - I hate the rat tail look, makes a whippet look out of balance somehow. :unsure:

 

[aslan]

8)

 

[chelynnah]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size] 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors.  The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump!  Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

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​

 

Louise, do you use thinning scissors with a one serrated edge or two?

Thanks

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I'm not Louise, but I use the double sided thinning scissors (but then tidy with straight scissors). Originally I only used the thinning scissors and that was enough.

 

Wendy

 

[dessie]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO[/size] 

Never put clippers on a whippy's tail - always, always, always thinning scissors.  The breed standard states "free from feathering", not shaved so we can see every bump!  Plus, if you cock it up, it will take forever to grow back properly.

 

Louise

 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER FOR 20 YEARS

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

 

Have to disagree and I have done plenty of dog grooming in my time, I used to show Cockers and English Springer Spaniels!

 

Some of my Whippets I will use the clippers on if they have a very fluffy tail, others I would only use the one edge thinners, some have never had their tail trimmed, it all depends on the dog ..........well, the tail really! LOL! If you go carefully with the lay of the hair you won't shave down to the bone and it takes no longer to grow back than using scissors. Plus I am not talking about wacking great horse clippers but the tiddly little battery operated things.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

 

I hope you didn't use clippers on your show cockers and springers (w00t) the ultimate sin :lol:

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I'm not letting you into my trade secrets!!! LOL!!!