Carding

[Lilyella]

Hi everyone

Can someone explain what 'carding' really means? I'm from the Uk and my trainer says it means using a slicker brush but when I look in 'notes from the grooming table' it shows a sketch of someone using a clipper blade in their hand.
As you can guess I'm VERY new to all this but am really enthusiastic about it all [hope I don't sound too stupid].

Lilyella
xxx

[Gracy Rose]

I use a 40blade (an older one without the cutter bar) or I use a furminator. I find that I use it on cockers for blending their weight line.

[Maggy]

Carding is a way of removing the undercoat by combing the coat with a #30 or #40 blade, I think some people also use a 10 or 15.

[shihtzugal]

re-carding

do you find that carding a coat to take out undercoat, breaks the top coat?

[lbboop99]

I use the Furminator also, or a 40 blade. Never really heard of it with a slicker. That would be "brushing"!
Another groomer and I were discussing today if carding actually does break the coat, I want to know what everyone thinks too....

[luckydog]

Carding tools

There are so many different tools for carding it would be too long to list. As stated carding means to remove undercoat. The tools you use depend upon length and density of coat. If used correctly they should not cut coat. Talk to experienced groomers, show people, people experienced in sporting type breeds or handstripping--all should be able to help out

[hairdevil]

barkleigh.com has alot of stuff for sale...check out some of the videos for carding

[PoodlePal]

Carding will break the guard coat if the dog has poor coat (usually a diet issue). The Furminator tool is basically a very wide 30 blade with a handle.

[doggiestlist]

I have been grooming for 15 yrs and have yet to card a single dog in all of this time.from the sounds of carding IMO your not removing the undercaot your basicly thinning it out with a blade edge.personally I prefer to remove it the old fashioned way

[grumpy]

I work at a dog daycare and starting grooming classes next week, a groomer taught me to card and I use a 40 blade and had very happy customers. Carding is the extraction of the undercoat, if done right the dog will shed really bad for 24 -48 hrs and then should have very light to no shedding at all for about three months

[Ruggins]

Tried it and like it

I don't use it on many, but a 40 blade, (as is, not with the cutting blade removed) works good for those pugs, beagles and blue healers that have so much blow out coat. I also like it on the front of a golden's rear legs or at top of front legs where that fuzzy **** sits, strips it right out. I also have several cavalier's that get that fuzzy **** and it really thins it out and makes them nice and smooth with out using clippers, which is what the owner wants.

[eastwickecs]

Well when I get my english cockers ready for a show I use a Mars coat king, or various types of stripping knifes. NOT the way you would on a terrier, but very much like everyone is saying for carding. Basically using the knife as a comb, when I am done they have a very nice smooth, tight jacket. We also sometimes use stripping stones to take off even more fuzzies. I rarely do any of this with pet grooms. Except I will sometimes take a knife over a terrier just to hopefully not lose all the wire texture you lose with clipping.
Shannon