I cannot believe this groomer! UPDATE

jennie_c_d

show dogs for years. She says you just do that. It's unpleasant, but it has to be done.

But why does it have to be done??? I have a couple of friends who show and their dogs have normal nails as far as i can tell,we've never actually discussed nail length before.Surely a dog is not going to lose in the ring if it has normal length nails.This is just something i have never heard of before and it really,really,really bothers me.Poor dogs suffering due to the whims of humans....again!

Hopefully some show people will step up here and explain this. 

I can explain it easily, Edie. Long toenails throw the gait off. 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. Of course, Emma doesn't have a correct gait, but I want her moving as smoothly as possible to prevent any pain.

Also, any length on the toenails pushes the toes around. The feet do not lie properly, when the toenails are touching the ground. Emma has cat feet. So do my friend's Dobes. 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 figure anything that makes Em's feet look different makes them feel different, too. I didn't even know her nails were show short til I started going to dog shows and hanging out with show people. It's definitely possible to do it without hurting the dog, though, unless you wait til the weekend/day of the show to do nails. Regular upkeep can do it. 

That cat-paw is what is expected of poodles.  I think that I had his nails set to pet length with my dremel and clipper.   That is why they had to come up--but I wish that he did not have to have his quick hit.  I know that hurts!  The cat claw foot vs the bet length claw does affect the way that the dogs move, and how they place their feet.  IMO I do not think that this should count so much, but I am still a beginner...I also like UKC vs AKC in many things r/t poodles.  UKC does not require as much coat, and looks more for function that the dog was bred for.  I may take Chaz and show him UKC when he is at home from his AKC handler. 

Karen

PRT and Dobermans have cat feet, too. I love their itty little pretty feet. A tight cat foot is really a beautiful thing.

I can't stand seeing Poodles with splay feet. I know it hurts them, and I almost wish I *could* quick their nails to get them decent length, but I know they won't be kept up.

 There is no need to quick every single nail to get them short.  I keep all of my dogs' nails short by clipping/dremeling regularly.  Rose has long quicks, always has, and I try to do hers twice a week to get the shorter.  The other two, I do once a week or every two weeks and that maintains them.  Having nails that are too long does throw off every joint in the body.  It would be like letting your toenails curl up under your feet and then trying to walk...painful!