Nail length?

[Danefied]

IMO these nails are too long. Like way too long, and I'm embarrassed to admit that his is my dog. Granted he has some mutant nail-grow gene because none of the other dog nails in this house look like this, but still....

So I did a google search on proper nail length and was surprised that there is a lot of consensus out there that so long as the nail isn't touching the floor when the dog stands, you're good. Really? By those standards Bates would pass with flying colors, but I'd like to see his nails about half the length they are now. (And hope to post some updated pictures in the coming weeks.)

So - opinions? How much shorter would you go on nails like these?

after one dremel session (not much difference yet).

Edit: Bates is not a dane - he's a mutt. He looks like a lab but he definitely has boxer in him too.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Those look fine to me. Lucy generally keeps hers worn down from walks on sidewalk and running on packed dirt at the dog park. We've only had to get them trimmed once or twice in the 3 years we've had her, and they remain about that long. (When the groomer trimmed or filed them, they didn't get much shorter)

It's deceptive though, because she has long fur on her paws, so they cover up how long they really are.

 

[Danefied]

Maybe its a breed thing, but IMO if they're touching the ground when the dog walks (clicking on the floor) they're too long. And in order for the ground to wear them down they would have to be that long - ie too long. Plus it seems like it would be uncomfortable if every time the paw breaks over a toenail is pushed up in to the toe?

I can't imagine what his nails would look like if they only got trimmed once or twice in 3 years!! Right now I'm dremeling every other day trying to get them knocked back. The other dogs get dremeled about twice a month. Though they could stand to get knocked back also with weekly sessions.

 

[MandyPug]

The sports vet recommended that the end of the nail be in line with where the paw pad on each toe ends and the fur begins as seen from the side of the toe. Though you don't want them TOO short because dogs actually use them when they run and do tight turns and things like that.

 

[Danefied]

The sports vet recommended that the end of the nail be in line with where the paw pad on each toe ends and the fur begins as seen from the side of the toe. Though you don't want them TOO short because dogs actually use them when they run and do tight turns and things like that.

Okay, so by that recommendation, he needs about half of his current length taken off no?

 

[MandyPug]

Okay, so by that recommendation, he needs about half of his current length taken off no?

About that... Maybe a bit less. She said that you should dremel up a bit from under then a little off the top (basically when he's standing just go in straight from the front) and all around the sides which will expose the quick a bit more so it recedes faster.

 

[mrose_s]

I try to keep my guys at about the length of the top pic, if I had a dremel they'd probably be about 2/3 of that.
I figure if they arn't on the ground they arn't causing pain. Quinns look gross long in my siggy, she's only had them clipped a few times because she's so sensitive and I don't want to hit the quick and freak her out (thankgod they are ALL white) They've been clipped down a bit now though because they were almost on the ground.

 

[Danefied]

Thanks - that's what I'm trying to do, we'll see where he is in a few weeks. I'm hoping for a big improvement.

 

[Dekka]

If that was my dog I would be happy. That is the length *I* like (my dogs feet are built a little different) maybe even a bit longer on my dogs. Some of my dogs click when moving quickly on the floor. But they never slip even on slippy surfaces when tearing around. If I make the shorter they start to slide a bit.

 

[colliewog]

I think it depends on the dog's foot structure. Those look fine to me for that foot, although if it were say a foot of some show breeds, I might want more taken off. If it were an agility or racing dog, I'd want about that much nail, because IMO I think they that for proper grip/traction.

 

[Fran101]

I've noticed that I tend to be used to shorter nails because city dogs tend to just have shorter ones
I've never clipped my dogs toe nails or anything, but I guess sidewalks are the natural dremel lol

I'd say as long as they aren't touching the ground, its a personal preference

I prefer very very short and a tight foot but some people prefer longer

So I would go shorter on his nails, but health wise.. I'd say they are fine

 

[Southpaw]

I don't think that length looks bad. Considering they're all black, I'd definitely be comfortable leaving them that way lol. I like nails that don't touch the ground but both my dogs click a bit when walking. I trim Juno's about once every week or 2 and her quick doesn't recede... so I'm good with where they are.

 

[Doberluv]

I think they look fine...maybe take about 1/3 more off if you like them shorter. As long as they're not jamming up into the foot when gaiting. If there's a little something, they can still get traction when taking a corner at a run. The nails in Fran's picture there are a little too short for my preference. I remember Lyric, my Dobe's nails sometimes I dremeled really short like that and when he'd be turning at a run in grass, his feet would slip and sometimes went out from under him and he'd fall. Those high toed feet need to have a little more nail, just as long as they aren't cramming hard into the ground. (jmo)

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Chloe despises having her nails clipped, and her nails were INCREDIBLY over-grown when we got her. We've never been able to get the quick to grow back, because we can hardly clip her nails. So if her nails don't hit the floor - I'm happy with them.

With Violet, she's not that bad about having her nails clipped AND they're white, so it's easy to see the quick (I've clipped Chloe's quick before, and it's traumatizing for both of us) so I clip them fairly often and easily.

I wish I was able to get my dogs nails super short like some people, but I'm just not. And I think unless the nails are so long that they touch the floor when they're just standing on a flat surface, or they cross over one another, then they're fine.

Here are Chloe's nails:

Some people probably think that's "grossly long", but hey - If I could get them shorter I would, but that's where her quick is (like I said, before we got her, they were allowed to go WAAY too long) and I don't really know what to do about it.

 

[Doberluv]

I think they look fine Dixie'smom. You're right. If they're not pressing into the floor and up into the foot, they're fine. All the better to get some traction when outside.

 

[*blackrose]

I think they look fine, but both Chloe, Rose, and Kiba all have rather long nails. Kiba's nails are about that long, but his quick is RIGHT at the end. Chloe's nails could probably go a bit shorter, but even though she has white nails I'm terrified to quick her because she is such a big baby it would make her hate having her nails done. Rose, er, dislikes having her nails done, so I only do her every few months when she gets bathed as it takes two people to do it. (She's not mean...she just flails around like she's dying.) Her quick is also rather long.

I do like shorter nails, though, but I'd be perfectly happy with the length you posted.

 

[Meatos]

Danefied, you know how much I love a short nail and tight foot! Yes, Bates's nails are too long...I try to keep Scarlett's nails above the part where the nail curves downwards. In danes, I guess that means the nail sticks out about 1/8" from the paw when the dog is standing.

For a smaller dog like Bates (although still an honourary dane! ) I guess you would just make it relative to his size. If you do a paw a day for a few weeks you'll get his nails where you want them, I bet.

And thanks for this thread...you reminded me that it is nails day!

 

[Danefied]

I'm honestly surprised more people didn't think they should be shorter!
I'll have to post what the danes and the other mutt's feet look like for comparison.

Oh, and the dremel is the ONLY way to go to get short nails (IMNSHO). Clippers just hurt too much especially on bigger dogs, I think they pinch the quick even if you're not close to it. And with nails that black, you can't tell if you're close to the quick anyway.

Thank you everyone for your input!!
I'll post update pics as I get his nails ground down

 

[lizzybeth727]

Oh, and the dremel is the ONLY way to go to get short nails (IMNSHO). Clippers just hurt too much especially on bigger dogs, I think they pinch the quick even if you're not close to it. And with nails that black, you can't tell if you're close to the quick anyway.

I totally agree.

I actually didn't really believe that quicks could recede, until I finally got a dremmel and saw it for myself.

 

[Danefied]

I totally agree.

I actually didn't really believe that quicks could recede, until I finally got a dremmel and saw it for myself.

AND it doesn't hurt to get right up on the quick with the dremel, which makes for MUCH more pleasant nail trimmings. My guys see the dremel and come running because they know that means one on one attention and treats. Our Biko used to HATE nail clippings but lays there sleeping for the dremel (after we desensitized him).