If you’ve ever picked up your freshly groomed Cockapoo and your groomer cheerfully said, “We did a Blue all over and a Peach head,” you may have smiled politely… while secretly wondering if they’d joined a secret society.
Fear not. Let’s decode this curious language of blades, combs and colours, so you can nod wisely next time.
Clippers vs. Combs: A Quick Translation
Think of clipper blades (like 5F or 7F) as the “buzz cut” settings. They’re measured in fractions of an inch or millimetres, and the higher the number, the shorter the cut.
Then come the comb attachments — often colour-coded (Peach, Yellow, Blue, etc.). These snap over a blade and leave the coat longer and fluffier. They’re like hairdresser’s scissors saying, “Let’s keep it bouncy.”
The Most Common Blades
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7F Blade → Leaves about ⅛ inch (3.2 mm). That’s the classic short-and-neat look. Think: summer cut, easy maintenance, goodbye tangles.
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5F Blade → Leaves about ¼ inch (6.3 mm). A touch longer than a 7F, still tidy, but with a hint more fluff.
The Most Common Combs
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Peach Comb → Leaves about ½ inch (13 mm). A nice balance — neat but with some poof left in the coat.
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Yellow Comb → Leaves about ¾ inch (19 mm). Getting fluffier now; this one’s for the “I like my Cockapoo to look like a teddy bear” crowd.
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Blue Comb → Leaves about ⅜ inch (10 mm). Shorter than Peach, but still softer than a straight blade finish.
Below is your handy CHEAT SHEET to the most common clipper blades and comb attachments — complete with illustrations of a Cockapoo looking fabulous at every length.
7F — The Easy-Breezy Short Cut (erm, yes, it's a 'shave down')
Length: about ⅛ inch (3.2 mm)
This is the low-maintenance summer cut. Super neat, super easy to brush, and almost mud-proof. Perfect for owners who don’t fancy daily brushing marathons.
5F — A Little Longer, Still Neat
Length: about ¼ inch (6.3 mm)
Think of this as the happy medium. It’s tidy but still has a touch of softness. You’ll need to brush, but not obsessively.
Blue Comb — Short Fluff
Length: about ⅜ inch (10 mm)
Adds a bit more poof than a 7F or 5F. Great if you like a little teddy-bear vibe without going full marshmallow.
Peach Comb — The Balanced Teddy
Length: about ½ inch (13 mm)
This is the “Goldilocks” length. Not too short, not too long, just right. Enough coat for styling, but still practical.
Yellow Comb — Maximum Fluff
Length: about ¾ inch (19 mm)
This is your full teddy bear fantasy. Cuddly, Instagrammable, and… yes, higher maintenance. You’ll need to keep up with brushing to avoid knots and matting.
Quick Recap
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Shortest: 7F → neat, fuss-free (shave-down)
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Middle ground: 5F or Blue → tidy with softness
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Fluff lovers: Peach → Yellow → maximum floof
Final Word
Choosing a coat length isn’t just about style — it’s about your lifestyle. The longer the coat, the more brushing at home. If you’re not a fan of brushing, we'll definitely encourage a shorter blade.
But don’t worry: whatever you pick, your dog will look gorgeous (unless of course your dog was seriously matted and now looks more Rat than Teddy Bear). Don't worry though - hair grows back! and before long the Teddy of your dreams will re-emerge.
✨ Tip: Bookmark this page so you can show your groomer exactly what you mean next time. No more fruit-salad confusion when the groomer asks “Peach or Yellow?”