Best Dog Grooming Scissors

Sharpness, smooth cutting, comfort, durability and suitability are all key components to a great pair of scissors that will work for you for years to come.

Dog grooming scissor kits offer great value so we highly recommend them, especially for at home users. However if all you need is a single pair we have you covered there too with individual recommendations for professionals and at home groomers alike.

Taking your dog to the groomer every four to eight weeks can get expensive. Clippers are great if you want to shave your whole dog, but even then, you often need scissors to trim the hairs around your dog’s feet and face.

If you just want to give your dog a trim, you should definitely invest in a decent pair of dog grooming scissors. But, there are so many dog grooming scissors on the market and you don’t want to throw away money on junk scissors that don’t work.

What Makes Good Dog Grooming Scissors?

How do you know which dog grooming scissors you need? There are so many different types of scissors, not to mention a wide variety of brands that make each type.

First, let’s talk about the different types of grooming scissors and what they’re best suited for and then we’ll talk about the things you should look for, as you shop for each style.

Straight shears

While each individual has their own preferences, straight shears are typically the best all-around dog grooming scissors you can buy. If you only want to invest in one style of dog grooming scissors, they should be straight shears.

Why are straight shears the most multipurpose style of dog grooming scissors? Well, while you can eventually get a rounded cut with straight shears, it’s nearly impossible to get a straight line with curved shears.

You can use straight shears on any area of your dog’s body, while curved and thinning shears have more specific purposes.

Curved shears

While it is possible to get a curved look with straight shears, it isn’t very easy. Curved shears can help you get a rounded look on your dog’s face and feet. Curved shears are also more likely than straight shears to come with a rounded tip, so they’re safer to use around your dog’s face.

Thinning shears

Thinning shears are also sometimes referred to as blending shears or chunkers. While straight and curved shears tend to leave blunt lines in a dog’s fur, thinning shears can go back over certain areas to create a smoother, more blended look. Here are a few common uses for thinning shears:

• Going back over a trimmed face, to make it look more blended and natural
• Trimming the feathers on medium-length, double-coated dogs, like Golden Retrievers and Pomeranians, to look more natural instead of blunt
• Cutting out small mats without leaving a noticeable hole in your dog’s fur
• Blending the skirt line of a dog with a pattern cut, in which the back is shorter than the skirt and legs, like with a Westie or Cocker Spaniel
• Removing bulk from a dog with a very thick coat, like a Chow Chow

What to look for in dog grooming scissors

Now that you know which types of dog grooming scissors there are, let’s talk about what to look for in the shears you’re thinking about purchasing.

Stainless steel

While the cheapest dog grooming scissors often have plastic handles, the sturdiest shears are made entirely of stainless steel and may even be coated with titanium. The best shears will have a Rockwell hardness rating listed in the product description. The higher the hardness rating, the longer the dog grooming scissors will last, especially if you don’t get them sharpened very often.

Offset handles

Offset handles may look strange, but they actually reduce hand fatigue and are more comfortable to use than shears where the thumb hole and ring finger hole are right next to each other.

Removable finger rings

Removable finger rings allow you to customize how the shears fit on your fingers and in your hand. While this isn’t a crucial feature, it can make a big difference in whether or not your hand cramps up while trimming your dog, especially if you need to trim multiple dogs.

Tension adjusters

Tension adjusters are also a nice feature to have. While less tension may be easier to use, it may not cut as well, so scissors that allow you to set the perfect balance are a blessing, compared to pairs with factory-set tension.

Sizes

Shear size is also important to consider. If you have a small dog, shears that are too long can be unwieldy. If you have a big dog, though, you don’t want dog grooming scissors that are too short because that means the haircut will take much longer.

With all these features in mind, let’s look at our picks for the best dog grooming scissors of the year.

Product Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I invest the money in expensive dog grooming scissors?

If you’re just starting to groom your dog at home, it’s OK to start with cheap shears. If you only need dog grooming scissors to trim around your dog’s eyes and feet in between grooming appointments, then cheap shears should be fine.

However, if you plan to scissor your entire dog for the rest of its life, especially if you have a larger dog, it’s definitely worth the investment to buy more expensive shears. Higher-quality shears will cut faster and more smoothly, they’ll stay sharp longer, and they should maintain their quality for a much longer time than cheaper shears.

Do I need more than one type of dog grooming scissors?

Not necessarily. You can do a lot with just one type of grooming scissors, especially if your dog only needs minimal trimming. However, each type of shears has its own strengths and your grooming may benefit from having a variety of tools.

How do I hold dog grooming scissors?

Great question! A common mistake that people make is to use their thumb and their middle finger. This actually isn’t the most efficient or comfortable way to hold grooming shears. They are intended to be used by your thumb and ring finger.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best set of shears for grooming your dog at home can be complicated, but we hope this list helps make your search for the best dog grooming scissors a little bit easier.