I own the bigger version of these clippers for finishing work only They come with adjustable blade lengths and would be good for just basic upkeep. Its a 9, 10, 30, and 40 blade. Its not really meant for full groomings. But its nice to have. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IN24ILE/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_WAvHEb58GZM1W

Our academy supplied us with these clippers and they work well. I don't use them anymore though because the cord gets in the way: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018KVHBM/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_VEvHEb1KXG2W8 They are only 100$ though so that's nice.

I will link also a 10 blade but your clippers will come with one usually. You can use a 10 or 30 under a guard. So its up to you. 30 will have a better look to it in my opinion. But if you dont want to buy it you dont have to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ZFOS6/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_0HvHEb5S6EJDE

I will also link the guards I use. Clip on guards are your best bet, magnetic ones fall off easily. When you put guards on a blade make sure its on correctly otherwise they can break your blade and it is a very sad moment when that happens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RBWL1G/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_yJvHEbM5S22WS

You can get cool care, but if you keep checking the temp of the blade on wrist you can just take a break from grooming and let it cool down on a hard surface. Or if you have two of the same blades you can switch them out. You do have to wash the blades before you use them though and oil them and that also disinfects them. Blade wash: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000141JCS/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_pOvHEbRYK7QNW

If I missed anything let me know :) and I can link my preference.

Clippers

The clippers fluctuate in price on Amazon, but compared to the price of a full groom...

Combs/Guards

Dryer

• Get a pro level trimmer like a Wahl KM Professional and the appropriate set of attachments for it.
  
  • Or buy a cheaper one and hope it stays sharp, doesn't break, and gives a quality cut, but it's a gamble. A lot of the cheap trimmers have plastic attachments that break or have electronics that burn out due to the high heat that a trimmer motor can produce.
• Get quality shears like ConairPro ($12) if you just need something basic that cuts well, or a Fenice set if you want to splurge ($150) or if you want the best of the best, a Matsui, Kamisori, or Sozu set ($300-500). I'd avoid most of the cheap Chinese sets on Amazon, but they work in a pinch.
  • Get something with rounded tips to reduce the risk you'll poke your dog.
    
• Get a good comb and a good brush. You can see on YouTube videos what they use.
• Watch a ton of doodle grooming videos on YouTube. Get a bunch of different takes on it so you can determine what method works for you. The more you watch, the more you learn.
• If you groom the dog lying down, exercise your dog thoroughly. If you groom them standing up, give them a moderate amount of exercise. The grooming will go much more smoothly because the dog will be in a rest mode.
• Bathe, dry, and brush your dog. And I mean really, really brush. The more you brush the easier the trim is.
• If you're doing the trim with the dog standing up, trim the dog on a rubber mat (e.g. a yoga mat or a grooming stand) and sweep up later, or trim over the carpet/rug and vacuum later. The hardwood floor might be tempting but the dog will have trouble standing stable on it versus rubber or carpet.
• Cut the dog hair using the appropriate methods for the look you want. I just do a fast "farm cut" where I buzz the whole dog the same length (three times, backbrushing in between buzz passes). I use the electric clippers for as much of the dog as possible, then take the attachment off and buzz the "sanitary areas" and bottom of the paws, then use the shears on the tail, ears, and face. I'm not particularly precise about it. For a lot of it my dog is lying on the floor just relaxing, but that's fine with me. If you want a fancy cut, you'll use the shears more, and multiple types of shears (curved, thinning, etc) so you'll want to spring for the whole set.
• Depending on the dog, you may need to do a lot of exposure to the tools, leave the clippers running, let the dog get comfortable with the sound, and feed them lots of treats and give them lots of love so they associate grooming with treats and good times. You may need to buy a grooming stand to keep them from moving if they won't chill out while you groom them. Watch the doodle grooming videos on YouTube.
• Plan on spending some time on it, maybe split it into several nights for the first time. You and your dog will get tired and it may be a good idea not to try the whole thing at once, since you'll be going slow the first time and the dog won't be as used to you grooming him. Having an assistant to feed treats and hold the dog while you groom is super helpful.
• This is also a good time to trim the nails, either with a clipper or a Dremel. If your dog has black nails, I recommend the Dremel so you reduce the risk of cutting their quick and making them fearful of the nail-trimmer.

I’ve never used the Andis combs so I can’t speak for them but the Wahl metal combs are great. You can’t really go wrong with them.

If you’re using a standard detachable blade you can use them no problem.