The Best Dog Grooming Scissors -
The Complete Overview

There is one thing for certain, hair will continue to grow. Not only do we need need to cut our own hair, but our dogs also need haircuts in order to maintain their overall health and well being.

Depending on the length and curl pattern of your dog’s fur, your dog may need a haircut quite frequently.

A silky-haired dog may need a cut as often as every 4 weeks, whereas a curly-haired dog may get away with a cut every 12 weeks. (1) It all depends on if they are prone to matting and knotting.

Whatever the case for your furry friend, grooming is a must for all of us and you need the perfect tools to do it.

So how do you successfully build your grooming tool arsenal? Start by discovering the best dog grooming scissors Australia offers ahead. We teamed up with an independent panel made up of professional groomers, veterinarians, and dog parents alike to test the most popular options. After months of research and plenty of discussion, we were able to compile the list below.

For those perfectionist owners with dogs with unruly coats, or those that are starting a dog grooming course or company, this is the scissor buying guide for you!

What to Look for In A Pair of Grooming Scissors

A set of dog clippers and scissors are grooming staples, and pair of scissors is a pair of scissors, right? Wrong! 

Would you cut your hair with your eight year old’s Crayola scissors? Then don’t subject your dog to that either. Human hair cutting shears are also not the best choice. Our panel of experts share a few key features of grooming scissors to look out for when making a purchase.

Purpose

This is key to choosing the right pair of grooming scissors. Straight scissors are great all-rounders and you can find them at several points of the budget scale. Curved scissors follow the contours of your dog’s body in those harder to reach places. Thinning scissors do what they say on the tin - thin your dog’s coat and are best used during the summer to keep your pooch from overheating in their thick coat. 

These are the main three types. If you think you may need all of them, you can opt for a professional scissor set which we have included in the buying guide later on.

For professional groomers, there are also chunker scissors and blending scissors. Both of these look quite similar to thinning scissors but they are focused on aesthetic. Chunker scissors create a soft, texturised finish to your dog’s fur. Blending scissors are meant to blend, softening the edges of your cut. Groomers often use these around their four-legged clients’ faces for a natural finish.

Sharpness

All scissors should be sharp but particularly pet grooming scissors. The blades of your chosen scissors need to create precise, quick snips. A dull blade leads to slipping hands and injury at worst, or ugly haircuts for your pooch at best. Both of which you surely want to avoid.

Opting for premium materials like stainless steel ensures the longevity and durability of the blades. There are rounded tipped models to prevent injuries if you are concerned about nipping your dog at any point.

Ergonomics

This is all about your comfort when using the grooming scissors. Ergonomics contribute to your extended use of the product.

Grooming your dogs will fast become the most irritating of chores if you don’t find the process comfortable. Dog grooming should be a bonding experience for both of you, so it is worth paying attention to your level of ease when choosing dog grooming scissors.

For you to have this relaxing time, comfort is king.

Left-handed scissors are a marvel if there ever was one. Left-handed people make up 10% of the global population (or so scientists predict) so of course, we want to make sure you are also catered for when choosing grooming tools for your dog. (4)

Another factor in ergonomics is the comfort of your hands. Perhaps some handle shapes are more comfortable for you to use than others. If you are relatively new to grooming your dog, you will probably want to choose the most comfortable option for your hands, as you may be trying to work out the grooming process for a longer time than when you are a seasoned pro.

Our panel of experts also suggest that if you have large hands, choose shears with large handles. Take into account how heavy the scissors may be if the manufacturer discloses that information.

Best Dog Grooming Scissors in Australia 2024 Reviewed

Now that we have defined the properties of a fantastic pair of grooming scissors, let’s dive into the Australian market. What is on offer out there in the dog grooming world? Our team of independent experts have tested dozens and dozens of options and share our opinions on the cream of the crop. Our best overall prize goes to...

We love the Gimars Kit because it ticks all of the boxes. The kit is so incredibly complete at a wonderful mid-range price point that won’t break the bank; no wonder so many purchasers love and rave about it!

The Gimars kit has everything you need to get started; thinning shears, straight shears, curved shears, and a small pairs of straight scissors to get into smaller areas. Our team of experts really appreciated that all of the scissors in the kit come with rounded tips, so this is the perfect beginner’s set for any nervous first-time groomers and fur clients. 

As someone who likes to have thoughtful tools and accessories, I personally loved that the kit also contains a metal comb to help guide your precise snipping, and a handy storage case. 

The cons would be ergonomics. The finger holes are a little small. You can pop out the finger grips to widen the finger holes, but it is worth noting that small to medium-sized hands would fare better with the Gimars kit.

The kit is also best suited for the amateur or beginner at-home groomer, as our professional groomers pointed out. As you get more confident with your abilities to do a quick spot snip of your dog’s fur when you need to, you may want to upgrade to a more premium set later down the line, such as our number three choice.

Overall, the Gimars Groom Kit is a very complete and fabulous value for money. Beginners and at-home groomers will love it.

Unlike the kit in our number one spot, the Total Care Pet Grooming Scissors are for those who just want simple grooming apparel between trips to the professional groomers. You want a one and done, cheap and easy pair of scissors that will rid you from that stubborn dreadlock behind your dog’s ears that you can’t comb out (we all know the ones!). This is a safe, quick solution for beginners and amateurs.

The Total Care scissors have a ball tip which is a step beyond the regular rounded tip. In fact, our team of experts say this ensures that you can’t nip or clip your dog’s skin accidentally. The small scale of the scissors makes them ideal for use around ears and eyes.

The best part of course is the low price point. In fact, judging by our panel's rave reviews and stellar functionality, it’s incredibly cheap!

Overall, for those wanting a simple solution, you can’t go wrong with the Total Care Pet Grooming Scissors.

If you’re feeling more comfortable with grooming your dog and would like to graduate to a premium set of shears, we recommend the Smithking Grooming Scissor Set. These scissors are SHARP. So they are not for the faint of heart. You also don’t have the beginner’s shield of rounded tips to the blades, therefore a steady hand is advised!

This durable set is made of hardy stainless steel to last you through the ages. It has it all; thinning scissors, straight scissors, curved scissors, chunker scissors, a storage case, and a cleaning cloth. It also comes with an adjustable key so I was able to adjust the tightness of the scissors if I needed.

A bonus is the super cool design which adds to the professional polish of the set. The best part, I think, is the price point! For high-quality scissors, they are not too much more expensive than the Gimars set we recommended at the beginning of these reviews. That’s a wonderful plus to those looking to upgrade, but not spend too much in the process.

If you’re in the market for a more professional set, we think you’ll love the SmithKing product.

Dogs with very heavy coats may be in need of dog thinning scissors. Our pick in this category is the Kazoo Grooming Thinning Scissors.

Every member of our research panel vote them as a simple but effective pair of scissors that will get the job done. These scissors are easy to use. The fur will thin away easily by using these shears. They are made of hardy stainless steel so you know these scissors will last you a while.

Ergonomically, these scissors don’t have detachable inner rings in the finger holes to adjust the size, unlike our number three option. So if they aren’t comfy for you, you have few options to change things.

We love that the Kazoo scissors come at a reasonable price point too, so it’s an accessible product to add to your toolkit.

Curved scissors are ideal for following the contours of your dog’s body. Think back legs, rib cage, feet, and forehead. While curved grooming scissors may not seem essential, it’s one of the “how did I ever live without this” things. It makes shearing your dog so much easiest and faster.

Our team of independent experts' pick for the best curved scissors is the Hashimoto pair. These scissors come in 3 models: 6.5 inches, 6.5 inches with a rounded tip, and 7.5 inches. The rounded tip, similar to our number two and number four choices, may make you feel more confident if you are a beginner.

A huge plus for me is the ergonomics. The finger holes are much much larger than some of the tiny finger holes that other models on this list have. There is definitely a bias for small hands when it comes to dog grooming it seems! The Hashimoto has you covered there.

The Hashimoto grooming scissors are made of Japanese stainless steel and are handmade with great care. This gives them an extra specialness which we love.

The only potential con could be the price point. These scissors are much more expensive than the Kazoo Thinning Scissors and the Total Care Scissors. Even the Gimars Scissor Set gives you four pairs of scissors, a storage sleeve, and a metal comb for only a tiny bit more money. Those of us who know and love the Hashimoto handmade scissors, however, believe they are worth the money.

This pair of scissors have been well-reviewed by amateur home-groomers and professional dog groomers alike. If they love it, we love it too! Check out the Hashimoto scissors if you’re in the market for durable curved pet scissors.

To all the left-handed people out there, we hear you loud and clear. It’s a right-handed world and your discrimination ends here! For you, we have an entire scissor set made for your dominant left hand.

The Jason Left-Handed Dog Grooming Scissors are available win 3 scissor types; curved, chunkers, and straight. They have slightly rounded tips for safety, but you should still proceed with caution when using these since they're straighter than other options on this list. 

Made of durable Japanese stainless steel, these scissors are sure to last you a while. They have a professional quality that the company stands by. They even have a 1 year satisfaction guarantee in which they will rectify any issues you may have.

The finger holes on these scissors are large, so this allows more flexibility to consumers. However, they don’t offer any adjustable rings, like our number three choice, to make these smaller if you have smaller hands.

The main drawback is the price point; the complete set is not cheap. That said, you can also buy the scissors you need from the set individually. They may be pricey but they are well worth the splurge.

Overall, our panel of experts agree that this is the best grooming scissor set on the market for lefties!

Final Verdict: Best Grooming Scissors for Dogs

So what about the average dog owner who wants to give their dog a very quick snipping over between professional grooming visits? Then our team of independent experts concur that they will get on well with the Gimars scissor set. When you’re ready to graduate to a more professional set, we love the Smithking set as a fabulous all-rounder.

For more grooming reviews check out our below articles:

• Best Dog Nail Grinders
• Best Dog Nail Clippers
• Best Dog Grooming Kit
• Best Online Dog Grooming Course

References

1. Allen, M. “How Often Should I Groom My Dog?” The Dog People by Rover.com. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.rover.com/blog/how-often-should-i-groom-my-dog/
2. “How To Groom a Dog With Scissors At Home In 12 Simple Steps”. Dog Grooming Training.  Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.dog-grooming-training.com/articles/how-to-groom-a-dog-with-scissors-at-home/
3. Erb, H. January 22, 2018. “A Bonding Opportunity: Groom Your Dog”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/groom-your-dog/
4. Searing, L. August 12, 2019. “The Big Number: Lefties make up about 10 percent of the world”. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/the-big-number-lefties-make-up-about-10-percent-of-the-world/2019/08/09/69978100-b9e2-11e9-bad6-609f75bfd97f_story.html
5. McCarthy, C. February 17, 2016. “DIY Tips for Grooming a Dog at Home”. PetMD. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_diy-tips-for-grooming-dog-at-home