Level 2Exhibitor
Nails: small details that matter for comfort
The answer
You check the coat, the ears, the lead… but have you looked at the nails? Looking after them is part of preparing a show dog, and above all part of his everyday care.
The aim is a comfortable length, with no pain or difficulty moving. Trying to cut them as short as possible just before the ring can, on the contrary, compromise his performance.
Why keep an eye on them?
Nails grow continuously, while how much they wear down varies with the activities and surfaces the dog meets. If they are too long, they can catch or break. [1]
Inside there is a living part containing blood vessels and nerves, often called “the quick”. Cutting it causes pain and bleeding. It is usually harder to spot on dark nails. [2]
There is therefore no single cutting length that suits every dog.
Beginner: three tips to start calmly
- Get your dog used to giving you his paws. Gently touch a paw, lift it briefly, then reward. Next, introduce the tool without cutting. The AKC recommends this gradual training to prepare dogs for nail care. [1]
- Get someone to show you where and how to cut. Ask the vet or groomer for a demonstration, especially for black nails. Choose nail clippers designed for dogs and suited to his size. A demonstration on your own dog is worth more than an estimate from a photo.
- Cut a little, without aiming for a perfect finish. Once you’ve learned the technique, remove only a small portion of the tip. If you don’t know how far to go, stop. You can also leave the care to a professional.
Intermediate: three tips to set up a routine
- Check regularly rather than waiting for the show. Look at the nails and at how your dog places his feet. Nails that click on the floor or catch are signs to look into, without in themselves being a precise measure of length. [2]
- Think of the dewclaws where present. These nails, higher up the leg, often wear down little from contact with the ground. Include them in your check and ask the professional to show you how to look after them.
- Choose the tool you can both cope with. An electric file lets you remove material gradually, but its noise and vibration also take getting used to. It may suit some dogs; it is not automatically easier to use. [2]
Advanced: three tips to prepare for the ring
- Schedule the care before the last minutes. Do the necessary care within your usual routine, with a margin before the show. The day before or the morning of are not the best times to attempt a major shortening. This timing is practical advice, not a regulatory deadline.
- Spread the work out if the nails are very long. Don’t try to fix everything in one session. Have the vet or groomer set out a suitable progression, respecting the quick and the dog’s tolerance.
- Check his comfort after the care. Watch a few relaxed steps. A limp, pain or a damaged nail needs a vet’s opinion. Before the ring, the priority remains a dog who is able to move comfortably.
What if a nail bleeds?
Stop the session. For a small cut into the quick, use a suitable styptic powder following its instructions and apply gentle pressure. If the bleeding continues beyond a few minutes, or if the nail is broken or torn off, contact the vet. [2]
A botched cut shouldn’t turn into a race to finish all the paws. Take the time to reassure your dog and deal with the injury.
Regular care means going into the show with fewer touch-ups to plan. Comfortable nails are a detail your dog benefits from far beyond the ring!