Practical, healthy nail length

[4DogsSake]

I'm trying to find the healthiest nail length for Pixie (and all my dogs, for that matter). Most "pet" (hate that word) dogs' nails are way too long, and show dogs' nails are cruelly short, but somewhere between those is the length nature intended - the length that helps them dig for rodents, and gives them traction to scale steep slopes, piles of rock, and run madly through the woods in pursuit of prey.

What is that length?

I'm asking in this forum because a sporting cairn is pretty close to a working cairn, and it seems sporting dog people would have a pretty good idea what is healthy and practical.

BTW, I've gotten all my dogs as adult rescues, so they've all started with nails too long. Shortening the quick without hurting them and making them nervous of the grinder is about impossible. I know a few tricks (like grinding around the quick so it wears faster, taking more off the top side, scoring, etc.) but I'm open to any pointers. It's taken me two months to get Pixie comfortable with restraint, and with the grinder. I don't want the next phase to be torture.

[shergry]

I tend to look at their nails as "what would I be comfortable wearing".  And I come to this conclusion....if I don't hear the clickety click on bare floor or hear them scratch the pavement outside...that is the length that should last up to 10 days before grinding again.  Also, please remember that the hair in-between toes and pad are to be either the level with pad or just inside.  If you let the hair grow...they can slip and really hurt themselves...this I tend to look at them wearing slippers that have NO TRACTION!  To clip the hair takes control of your emotions so that the dog feels comfortable in you taking "blunt" nosed scissors to their feet.

When a toe nail is pushed up while standing....it is VERY painful!  Like having shoes on and your feet hurt because you need a trim!!

Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts and help.

[bradl]

I think shergry nailed it (heh). With the dog in a natural stance, I like the nail hovering just above the floor. 

[4DogsSake]

Thanks for your input guys.

[Nancyj]

I use the Dremel on Brinna's nails, but I STILL don't get enough.  I'm afraid I wont see the little white dot before there is blood shed.  Her first mom, Linda, does it so effortlessly, but I really struggle with not going too far.  I can hear her nails click on the hardwood floor, so will try again, next week. 

[Hillscreek]

If they are just above the floor - fine. But if they click without pushing into the foot I think  that's OK too. I like Angus to have enough nail to get a grip when he's scrabbling and climbing around. Growth seems to depend a lot on what surfaces they run on. Angus runs on a mix of hard and soft and seems to keep his nails worn down pretty well.Only needs a trim every six weeks or do.

And yes trim between the pads.

[eastofeden]

I found this blog post (and the attached video) quite helpful in regards to nail length.

 

http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2013/08/cutting-your-dogs-nails-how-important-is-it-really/

[Nancyj]

It is difficult when the nails are black.  I can't deal with blood. Just listening to the video made me light headed.

I still don't quite understand the trimming technique in the video. Is she trimming the top off instead of the bottom or both?

[bradl]

Yes

 

Looks like mostly from the top, but then a little touch from the bottom. 

 

I've found with a dremel that if you just touch and look, touch and look, you will not 'quick' the dog and you can even see the quick appear "through a nail darkly" as you get close to it.

 

It doesn't seem to matter what color the nail is on the outside, you can still see the spot representing the quick emerge as you get deeper.

 

And, even if you DO quick the dog, they scarcely notice it because you are going slowly, pausing frequently, and therefore it's not a big bloody 'overshoot' it's just a minor 'weeping' as the blood soaks through. It doesn't flow or spurt like it might if you misjudged guillotine clippers. Plus with all the racket of the dremel motor and whatnot they and you are not all tensed up for the Big Snip. It becomes much less dramatic.

 

Early on I thought that heat might be an issue, but after trying all sorts of dremel techniques both  fast and slow, I don't think it's an issue at all. I will admit it could conceivably be for Really Big Dogs with monster nails that take a very long time to get through, but I don't have any experience of that. 

[Nena]

I use a hard nail file works great for me and Nena doesn't mind. I was always nervous about cutting to short so I just started using nail file

[McLarensmom]

That's a good idea. Less chance of "quicking" which can make them fearful of nail clipping for life. McLaren is 11 weeks old today. Here is his new photo. My co-workers gave me a baby shower at a nice restaurant. When I got there, they had a cake with "Welcome McLaren" on it and a gifts table!!

[Nancyj]

Thanks Brad, as every bit of  information I can get, helps.  I was worried about over heating the nail, but I do like you, touch and look, touch and look. 

I'm determined to keep working at this.