Snap-on attachment comb lengths explained
Snap-on combs, which are sometimes referred to as attachment combs or clipper guards, control the length you groom your dog’s fur. I love using snap-on combs; they’re really easy to use. You simply attach them to your clipper blade, and away you go!
Wahl clipper comb set
I have the Wahl attachment comb set. The set has 8 different length combs, which is great for me as a dog groomer. I often groom my clients using various lengths depending on the season and how matted their fur is. These combs are colour-coded for easy reference and come in a handy storage container.
Comb lengths
Number 1 comb - 3mm or 1/8 inch
Number 2 comb - 6mm or 1/4 inch
Number 3 comb - 10mm or 3/8 inch
Number 4 comb - 13mm or 1/2 inch
Number 5 comb - 16mm or 5/8 inch
Number 6 comb - 19mm or 3/4 inch
Number 7 comb - 22mm or 7/8inch
Number 8 comb - 25mm or 1 inch
If you’re not interested in the set you can also buy these combs individually.
How to use snap-on combs
These combs easily snap onto a #10,#15 or #30 blade on most clippers. I attach my combs to my #10 blade on my Heinigar clippers.
It’s really easy to attach them to your clipper blade. You hook the comb over the base of the blade and push up the comb with your fingers until it snaps over the teeth of the blade. It’s as easy as that.
These Wahl combs are stainless steel. I’ve seen some plastic combs that can easily snag on mats or knots in the coat, which can bend or break the teeth. I prefer stainless steel, they glide easily through the coat, giving you a really smooth finish.
What comb lengths do I typically use?
My all time favourite comb to use is the number 2 comb. This comb clips the fur to a length of 6mm (1/4 inch).
I use the shortest combs (1-3) for summer cuts. These combs leave your dog’s coat looking nice and short without being shaved.
The number 4 comb gives you a nice fluffy look. It trims the coat to a length of 13mm (1/2 inch). For dogs I’ve groomed using a number 1, 2 or 3 comb on their body, I’ll often use a 4 comb on their head to help give them that teddy bear look.
I don’t often use combs 5-8 because the dogs I groom usually come in with matted fur, so I need to use a short comb that will clip under the mats. However, if you groom your dog every 6-8 weeks and you brush them weekly, you might be able to use a longer length comb.
I often use the last two longest combs when grooming puppies. Puppy fur is often more straight than curly because the adult coat hasn’t started coming through, so they often don’t have any mats or knots, and the comb will glide through the fur. The number 7 comb trims the coat to 22mm (7/8 inch), and the number 8 comb trims the coat to a length of 25mm or (1 inch).
Prepping the coat before clipping is key
Before clipping your dog, you’ll need to prepare their coat so the snap-on comb can easily glide through it and give you an even cut.
First, I recommend giving your dog a good brush using a slicker brush to remove any mats or knots. Once you’ve finished brushing, go over with a comb to double-check for any knots. If you find any, give them another brush with the slicker brush.
Next, bathe them and dry them with a pet dryer. As you dry their coat, use your slicker brush to brush through their fur simultaneously, straightening any curls in their coat. Once they’re dry, their coat should look fluffy and straight. Having a straight coat will ensure you get an even cut.
In the following video, I’ll demonstrate the different comb lengths on my dog Soda.
I’m a qualified dog groomer and fur-mum to two cavoodles; Soda and Poppy. I’m passionate about the health and wellbeing of dogs, as well as helping dog parents groom their dogs at home. I’ll teach you the basics, however if you don’t feel comfortable or confident at any time that’s completely fine, book your dog in for a regular groom and pamper session at the salon. Please never leave your dog unattended on a grooming table.
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