Sorry, a really boring one I know but we're planning major renovations here at Liberty Hall (for dogs) and the stair carpet has to be replaced.

SO:

Do dogs' toenails get caught in Berber-style carpets (i.e. loops rather than tufts)? Are we better going for a short, cut pile? (Currently have long cut pile; nightmare.

Also (if you have the time and the interest): wool, man-made fibre or mixture? (This with shampooing in mind).

Many thanks to all who take the trouble to reply.

BTW, no carpet not an option - far too noisy. 

I've never known a dog nail to pull or break the pile on a Berber type carpet.  From my experience as much wool as possible seems to help shrug off dirt but you will want a little manmade to make it harder wearing on a stairway about 80/20 I would have said.

We've got Berber, it's fine. I agree, 80/20 is ideal. My brother used to have a carpet cleaning business and always said that 80/20 is good for cleaning.

80/20 wool to manmade is optimum. Wool is fire-resistant but needs a touch of manmade fibre to make it harder-wearing. :)

Do dogs' toenails get caught in Berber-style carpets (i.e. loops rather than tufts)? Are we better going for a short, cut pile? (Currently have long cut pile; nightmare.

I'd say it depends on the size of the dog or rather the size of the claws. Certainly with cats it's impossible to have the loop style as they get caught constantly in them depsite the fact that cats retract their claws when walking.

I've not heard of nails getting caught.

When we moved into our current house it was carpetted with off-cream carpets throughout - nightmare as we've got 4 dogs and 4 cats! (and, needless to say, a well used carpet cleaner!)

However, I agree with not having no carpet. We used to have laminate flooring and I used to laugh as our dogs slid about on it. However, we took on a rottie who ruptured her cruciate and now every slip or tumble (whether on carpet or not) makes me cringe just in case! I've since head some horror stories about dogs slipping on laminate/tile and injuring themselves!