Dog grooming scissors

What is each type of grooming scissors for?

Each pair has its role: the straight pair cuts, the curved pair rounds, the thinning scissors and the chunker lighten the coat without leaving a step, and the sculpting scissors finish. Successful grooming uses these tools in this order, from the boldest to the finest.

The straight-bladed pair has two smooth blades. It draws clean lines: the outline of the legs, the lower body, the skirt of a long coat. It is the pair you start with, and the one you use most.

The curved pair has a curved blade that follows rounded shapes without leaving points: the top of the head, the pompom of a tail, a poodle's round foot.

Thinning scissors combine a smooth blade with a notched blade of fine teeth. They only cut part of the hair each time they close: they are used to thin out the coat and blend the lines left by the straight blade into a soft graduation.

The chunker has wide teeth. It removes more hair with each pass and leaves a defined, natural-looking texture, very useful on a thick coat that needs lightening quickly.

Sculpting scissors are finishing tools, light, symmetrical and with an ergonomic grip: they refine the details of the face and body once the shape is set.

Which pair for which area?

The head and feet are worked with the curved pair, the body and legs with the straight blade, and transitions between two lengths with the thinning scissors. The choice depends as much on the area as on the coat type.

On a curly or voluminous coat, poodle or bichon frise, scissor cutting is at the heart of coat care: the shape is sculpted at every session. Our page caring for curly and voluminous coats details the full routine. On a long, flowing coat, you mainly cut the feet, the hygiene area and the tips: see caring for long, flowing coats. The same pairs can also be used for long-haired cats.

Which size of scissors should you choose?

Size is chosen according to the dog's build and your hand: a short pair is more precise on delicate areas and small dogs, a long pair covers large areas more quickly. It is measured in inches, from the tip of the blade to the end of the ring.

The four Ladybel pairs measure 7.5 inches, or 19 cm: a versatile length that works outlines as well as the body. The sculpting scissors come in two lengths, 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) and 7 inches (17.8 cm), for finishing and for smaller hands. Their ball-bearing pivot reduces hand fatigue, and their blue titanium finish stands out against every coat colour.

Comfort matters as much as size. An offset handle, as on our four Ladybel pairs, places the thumb lower than the ring finger: the wrist stays aligned and the hand tires less during a long session. The exact dimensions are given on each product page.

Straight or curved blade to start grooming at home?

To start at home, begin with a straight-bladed pair: it is enough for hygiene trims, feet, around the pads and the tips. The curved pair comes next, when you want to round off a head or a foot.

Thinning scissors are the third useful purchase: they forgive small mistakes, since they do not cut all the hair at once, and they erase the steps left by the straight blade. The chunker and the sculpting scissors are more of a groomer's tools, for breed cuts and finishing. If in doubt, ask your groomer's advice.

What about hairdressing scissors? They are designed for human hair, finer and more uniform than a dog's coat: they blunt quickly on thick hair. A grooming tool, on the other hand, is made for pet hair. As for nails, they are never cut with a cutting blade: that is the job of dedicated clippers.

Ladybel tip

A starter kit comes down to three tools: a straight-bladed pair, a comb and a brush suited to the coat. Always cut less than planned, then go back over it: hair cut too short takes weeks to grow back, whereas a second pass only takes a minute. And look at your companion from a distance every five minutes: it is from a distance that you can see whether both sides are even.

How do you prepare the coat before cutting?

Before picking up the scissors, the coat must be clean, dry and fully detangled. Dirty hair blunts the blade, damp hair shrinks as it dries and looks shorter, and a forgotten knot is cut into a hole.

First wash with a shampoo suited to the coat, following the steps of a bath at home. Dry right down to the roots, brushing while drying to get a nice straight coat.

Then detangle the full length. A detangler such as Demelex lets the brush glide through without breaking the hair, and our detanglers and coat care products are made for this step. The brushing technique, by coat type, is explained in our guide brushing. Finish with a comb: if it glides from root to tip, you can cut. For this preparation: Demelex, the Lady Prestige Démêlage and the Slicker Brush.

How do you cut the coat without hurting the animal?

To cut without hurting, always slide a comb between the skin and the blade: you only cut the hair that sticks out beyond its teeth. Keep the tip of the scissors pointing outwards, never towards the skin.

Safety: the skin is thin, and it moves

Never cut close to the skin without a comb, especially in folds (armpits, belly, base of the ear), where the skin rises between the blades. Around the eyes, hold the muzzle with one hand, tip pointing outwards, and cut in small snips: a round-tipped pair is a useful precaution for this area. If your companion gets restless, put the scissors down. And a knot stuck to the skin is not cut from underneath: that is a job for clippers or a groomer.

Work on a stable table, in good light, with a calm, tired companion rather than an excited one. Short sessions, with a reward at the end, get animals used to the sound of the blade and make grooming easier the next time.

How do you look after your grooming scissors?

Grooming scissors should be cared for after each use: remove the hair, wipe the blades with a dry cloth and store the pair closed. A drop of oil on the pivot keeps the action smooth.

Only cut clean, dry hair, never paper or fabric: that is what wears the edge fastest. Store each pair in a pouch or case (our Ladybel straight and curved pairs come in their own): the case protects the tip from knocks, and a single fall onto tiles is enough to mark a blade.

Even stainless steel keeps its edge better when dry. When the pair starts folding the hair instead of slicing it, it should be sharpened by a professional sharpener: home sharpening damages the blade profile. Our four Ladybel pairs are made of Japanese SUS 440C steel, with a hardness of 59 to 60 HRC, and the sculpting scissors of 420, a Japanese stainless steel.

Groomers: how should you equip your salon?

Groomers, breeders and pet care professionals order through the Ladybel pro area, which gives access to dedicated rates and volume discounts. Our Ladybel pairs are described as professional quality, for daily use in a salon.

The four Ladybel pairs make up a complete cutting station, all 7.5 inches with an offset handle: straight, curved, thinning scissors and chunker. The sculpting scissors complete the kit for finishing. For the rest of your station, find brushes, slicker brushes and combs among our grooming brushes and accessories.

A question about which pair to choose?

Tell us the breed, the coat type and what you want to cut: we will point you to the right pair.