Nail length for Conformation

**dobermansrule** · 08-26-2008, 12:23 PM

we know generally the nails need to be short for showing. We dremel regularly and keep the nails pretty short normally. Is there a guideline on actually how short the nails should be for showing - an actual number? How short do you go? and how do get them that short when you are close to show time? is there a certain dremel technique you use versus normal maintenance mode?
thanks

Julie W · 08-26-2008, 12:35 PM

There is no technical guideline. You can just look around at any show and take note of how short the nails are. Most of the time this can really only be done well at an indoor show, as being in the grass won't give you a clear picture. I don't bother to keep Cher's nails at length suitable for show, since she hates showing and probably won't see the inside of a ring much anymore. I just keep hers at a nice comfortable length that doesn't touch and "click" on my hard floors. If they clear the ground I'm happy. If I can hear toenails around here the dremel comes out.

Linda H · 08-26-2008, 12:39 PM

When I was showing you kept them as short as you could get them. Regular dremmeling to get the quick back as short as it will go. I did seen dogs that had their whole nails clipped off. I don't know if people still do this or not.

**dobermansrule** · 08-26-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda H

When I was showing you kept them as short as you could get them. Regular dremmeling to get the quick back as short as it will go. I did seen dogs that had their whole nails clipped off. I don't know if people still do this or not.

Why is that - to accentuate 'catlike' feet? That's kindof part of my question - is there a correlation with nail length and tightness of the feet. I know overly long nails that reach the floor are bad for the feet but I would think as long as the nails did not touch the ground (no clicking on the floor), then that should be short enough. But interesting how short some folks think they need to be..

Julie W · 08-26-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Why is that - to accentuate 'catlike' feet? That's kindof part of my question - is there a correlation with nail length and tightness of the feet. I know overly long nails that reach the floor are bad for the feet but I would think as long as the nails did not touch the ground (no clicking on the floor), then that should be short enough. But interesting how short some folks think they need to be..

You can definitely ruin a cat foot with too-long nails. The extremity to which show dogs nails are kept though is purely for cosmetics. If the nails never touch the ground you aren't affecting the conformation of the foot. Anything shorter is just a visual bonus.

**dobermansrule** · 08-26-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie W

You can definitely ruin a cat foot with too-long nails. The extremity to which show dogs nails are kept though is purely for cosmetics. If the nails never touch the ground you aren't affecting the conformation of the foot. Anything shorter is just a visual bonus.

Thanks - that helps! I just don't want to go too short for the wrong reason - anyway, I think I am short enough..

Linda H · 08-26-2008, 02:16 PM

When you are showing the shorter the nails the better the foot looks, at least IMO.

Julie W · 08-26-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

When you are showing the shorter the nails the better the foot looks, at least IMO.

Agreed....and every other person that shows in AKC would also agree.

**ellenm** · 08-26-2008, 06:06 PM

When doing conformation with my girls, they got their nails done every 3 days...that kept them very short. Now we are are on a once every 5 days to a week schedule; it's a luxury!

**dobermansrule** · 08-26-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellenm

When doing conformation with my girls, they got their nails done every 3 days...that kept them very short. Now we are are on a once every 5 days to a week schedule; it's a luxury!

same here - every 2-3 days.. on some of the nails it doesn't seem like the quik is receding and we aren't make much headway on shortening them. Some of the nails - no problem. The end ones seem especially problematic - ie the longest and the hardest to get short.