I have just read on a US forum that the majority of show people have their dogs nails as short as possible which usually entails quicking them to within an inch of their lives They dont seem to have any problem cutting up way past the quick,putting the dog in pain to get the short nails. I have never heard of this before and wondered if it was just another "American thing" to do.Is this done in the show rings here?

The reason given for doing this was "A big part of showing is gaiting. Keeping the dogs' nails as short as possible ensures that they have a smooth gait, and gait the way they should.Also, any length on the toenails pushes the toes around. The feet do not lie properly, when the toenails are touching the ground. If their toenails even touch the ground, their feet look different. This would affect them in the show ring, hugely, because incorrect feet would just not win."

I show in the Canadian and American rings, and yes, short nails are desirable.  Never though would I make my dogs bleed for the short nails.  I start cutting nails, by taking right back to just before the quick.  Then a few days later, cut again.  It makes the quick move back, but never do I make the dogs bleed. 

I dont know of any breeder that would do it.  But I do know that sometimes, when it comes to rescued dogs (I used to work at a shelter) that the nails were so overgrown, that there was no choice as to cutting them drastically.  But when this was done, the dogs were under anesthetic already (like during a spay operation or something) and then it was done then.  I do believe it made a little pain for the dogs, but when the nails are curled right into their pads, it is better to do that then to have an infection in their pads.

I think most dogs with " Correct" feet and walked regularly on concrete rarely need much taking off their nails.  I go over mine with a dremel when trimming but it takes just a tiny bit.

I hate to see long uncared for nails and I hate to see splayed feet on dogs that require nice cat like feet.

PS forgot to say I don't know anyone here in the UK, Canada or America who practice this.

Many Poodle (show) people routinely do this, they say its because the nail grows straight out and not pointing down to the ground so never can wear down.They cut into the quick then use a styptic pen to stop the bleeding. As if many of them in full coat go walking on the road!!
I start taking 'the curl' off of my babies nails very early on and continue until full grown. During adulthood they seldom need trimming, normal road, field and parks see to that, Then usually have to trim with oldies just to keep them comfortable.

Sorry Tooolz but I have to say you are talking rubbish about poodles in show coat not getting walked!!!!  It really annoys me when people say this, underneath the coat poodles are real dogs who definately need excercise or they would drive you nuts as they are so full of fun.  Have been showing poodles for nearly 30 years and all of mine get walked off the lead down the local beach or country park whether they are in show coat or not.  As long as their coats get properly looked after they will not get ruined ie. mine get washed and conditioned once a week whether they have a show or not so it doesnt matter if they go in the sea or charging through long grass.  They also get regular road work.  I would also like to know who told you the rubbish that many people who show poodles routinely bleed their nails if you did that to a poodle do you really think the dog would then let you near its feet with electric clippers? I do my dogs nails with a dremmel once a week from they are very young puppies and that keeps them very short without hurting the dog at all. 

If the quick was cut each time the dogs would very quickly become lame and be no good in the show ring. Nor would they allow the judge to handle their feet. I think this might be one of those old wives' tales that does the rounds every so often.

Fifi, you said  " I would also like to know who told you the rubbish that many people who show poodles routinely bleed their nails"
Ktee's original post was quoting from an American site stating that it's common practice to 'quick'. With the huge americanisation of the show ring over here, it seems fairly likely to have crossed 'the pond' along with the many imports.

Blue
Yes the ideal foot would do this naturally but have you looked at many breeds at shows recently? Doberman, and Poodle nails seem to grow straight out to infinity and would never reach the ground it would seem!

I have friends with Doberman, and they have the nails very short, but this is achieved by cutting the nails short, but not into the quick, every week or even twice weekly so that the quicks naturally shorten.

Anyone who has seen a neglected foot with very Long nails will realise that you cannot take back the nails short all in one go as the quick gets longer, if cut regularly the quicks naturally get shorter so the nails can be cut really neatly.

The only time I have heard of what you are talking about is in reference to cutting baby puppy nails when they are still in the nest, but at that stage the quicks seem to be almost not there. 

And there's fileing too, which is after the cut. Most Dobermann show people do this and that pushes the quick back, then all you need to do is maintain the length by the fileing and not needing to cut. This is sometime achieved with a grinder, such as a Dremmel whick leaves a lovely rounded edge.

I never even used to have to dremel mine but I recently put vinyl down in my 2 show runs to avoid concrete foot staining so I just give them a little going over once a fortnight with the dremel.

I have heard of it being done in this country but I don't know if it's done routinely. It was only one person I heard of doing it.

I did see this done in rottweilers years ago. It takes the quick right back and the nail is very short ,doubt if they reached the floor.I liken it to docking but worse as it was done on much older dogs. Not that I disaprove of either practice but sedate the dog first! It was like a blood bath and I've never forgotten it.

but it is so unnecessary.  My friends with dobes nails don't go anywhere near the ground, but this is achieved painlessly by frequent cutting, even twice a week.  My nearest friends dogs lie on their backs between her legs quietly while she clips.