Thinners, Blenders and Chunkers

What are they?

In dog grooming, thinners, blenders, and chunkers are different types of scissors, each with specific uses, particularly for shaping and blending the dog’s coat to achieve a polished, natural look. Here’s a breakdown of each type:

1. Thinning Shears

Design: Thinners can come in single sided or double sided.

Single sided thinners have fine teeth on one blade and a smooth blade on the other.

Double sided thinners have fine teeth on both sides.

Purpose: Used to thin out thick or bulky hair and reduce volume. They remove a small amount of hair with each cut, making them ideal for softening harsh lines and detailed work.

Used for: Commonly used around the head, face, and neck, where a more natural, soft look is needed.

2. Blending Shears

Design: Blenders have fewer teeth than thinners, typically spaced farther apart.

Purpose: Ideal for blending lines left by straight scissors or clippers, they create a smooth transition between different coat lengths without removing too much bulk.

Used for: Used for blending the sides of the body, legs, and anywhere that requires subtle transitions, especially in breeds that require a sculpted look.

3. Chunkers

Design: Chunkers have larger, widely spaced teeth than both thinners and blenders.

Purpose: These scissors are perfect for removing more bulk quickly, especially on thicker coats. They create a natural, textured finish while maintaining a balanced look.

Used for: Chunkers work well on dense coats and are popular for blocking in and shaping areas like legs, chest, and pants on dogs with with thick or double coats.

More scissor and shear information and tutorials can be found in our Advanced Techniques section.