What is "skimming," and why should a groomer know about it? Skimming is a grooming technique in which a clipper is used to shorten the animal's hair, but not in the typical manner. Regular clipping requires us to lay the clipper blade flat against the dog's skin. The size and shape of the blade determine how much hair is removed as the blade follows the contours of the animal's body.
Skimming involves using a clipper held away from the pet's body and a steady hand to clip and sculpt the tip ends of the fur. Think of it as scissoring without the scissors. This method can be used on many coat types, but it is probably most commonly used on breeds with double coats, such as Pomeranians, Shetland Sheepdogs, Collies, and Australian Shepherds.
Some groomers sculpt with a 5-in-1 trimmer, while others use full-sized clippers. This technique can be done with blade sizes from #40 to #7. Another alternative is to skim with a guard comb over a blade. Using a guard comb is a safer way to practice because if the dog wiggles, you are less likely to make an irreparable hole in the coat.
Having the coat beautifully prepped before you try skimming is of utmost importance. Any dead undercoat must be removed, or your finish will look choppy and uneven. Running into a clump or tangle while skimming leaves a hole in the coat that will be difficult to hide. So, ensure you can get a comb from the skin out, from the nose's tip to the tail's end.
A light spritz of coat spray will help reduce static and help the coat hold its position as you work. Choose where you wish to begin and allow your hand to follow the coat's direction. Cutting across from the natural lay of the coat will result in an uneven finish.
If you have never tried the technique and want to give it a whirl, consider trying it for the first time on the fur that grows on the rear legs of a dog with one of the above-mentioned coat types. Let's take an Australian Shepherd, for example. Begin with a clean, brushed, and combed coat. Lightly spray with coat spray and comb it through, fluffing the coat up as you go. Then, use the blade of choice (maybe a #7?) or a guard comb (a 1-inch comb is an excellent place to start). Begin at the top by the tail, then skim your clipper blade or comb so that just the tips of the fur you wish to remove come into contact with the blade. Imagine the shape you want to carve into the coat, and let your arm guide you to create the desired outline. Stop, fluff with a comb, then continue until you are pleased with the shape you have made. If you feel confident with your technique, try it on the furnishings on the back of the front legs, the underline of the chest, and the thick fur on the fore chest. Once you get the hang of it, you can quickly do a nice outline trimwhen you skim. To finish, comb again and hit any small areas that need attention with chunkers or thinners.
Skilled skimmers can groom an entire dog using this method. It's a great technique in your bag of tricks because it saves time and energy while giving excellent results.
