Owners are often reluctant to cut their Rottweiler’s nails for fear of hurting the dog or making him bleed. Dogs have a blood vessel that travels approximately three-quarters of the way through the nail, called the “quick”. Clipping a dog’s nails too short can cut the quick and cause bleeding.
However, learning how to do it properly, using the correct equipment, and having a dog who accepts having his feet handled will go a long way in reducing the odds of inadvertently nipping the quick.
A Rottweiler’s black nails can make it difficult to differentiate between the quick and the hook—the dead section of nail that extends beyond the quick. If you examine the underside of the nail before clipping, you will see that the section closest to the paw is solid, while the tip—or hook—of the nail looks hollow, like a shell.
You may be able to see or feel the slightest groove on the underside, hook portion of the nail. Trim only the portion between the solid nail and the thinner hollow part—just tipping it where it curves slightly downward.
One of the easiest ways to trim the nails on the front feet is to have the Rottweiler sitting. Lift and hold one foot about 6 inches (15.2 cm) or so off the ground, so that you can see what you are doing, then trim away. With young or inexperienced dogs, you may have to put the foot back down between nails. Much will depend on how cooperative the dog is.
With the rear nails, it is easier to have the dog standing: Lift the foot straight up off the ground about 4 or 6 inches (10.2 or 15.2 cm), and trim away. Some people find it easier to lift the rear foot and extend the leg backwards, not unlike the position a horse’s leg is in when you are working on his feet. Some people have their dog lie on the floor—this works in a pinch, too. It is really a matter of preference, what is easiest, and what the dog will and will not tolerate.
If your Rottweiler has dewclaws, be sure not to overlook them in the trimming process. Dewclaws are the fifth digit on the inside of the front legs, usually an inch or so above the feet. If left unattended, they can curl around and grow into the soft tissue, not unlike an ingrown toenail on a human. Some breeders have the dewclaws removed, so your Rottweiler may or may not have them.
What to Do If You Cut the Quick
If accidentally nicked, the quick can bleed profusely and this bleeding can be difficult to stop. A number of blood-clotting products are available through retail stores, such as powdered alum, styptic powder, or styptic pencil. Having one of these products in your doggie first-aid kit is always a good idea.
If you accidentally cut the quick, your Rottweiler will most certainly question your qualifications. He will no doubt be a bit tentative about continuing with the process. However, it is important that you resist babying or coddling him. It is difficult not to bundle him in your arms and kiss and fuss over him, but this will only feed into his fear and nervousness.
Do not scold or manhandle him either. It is best to play with him for a few seconds to take his mind off the incident.
Nail Files
Some owners prefer to file the dog’s nails with an electric or battery-operated file. Some use a combination of both clippers and files. Electric or battery-operated files are not without hazards, however. They have an abrasive tip—similar to sandpaper—that spins at a high speed. If used incorrectly, an owner can apply too much pressure or file too close to the quick, causing a dog a good deal of discomfort.
These types of instruments make whirling noises, and the vibration on the dog’s nails can take some getting used to. If started at a young age, many Rottweilers will accept it as part of the routine grooming process. When in doubt, always seek advice from an experienced source when clipping or filing your Rottweiler’s nails.
The Importance of Nail Trimming
Nail trimming is a necessary part of dog ownership. Few Rottweilers, especially those who spend the majority of their time indoors or on grass when outdoors, will wear down their nails naturally. If your dog’s nails make an unmistakable click, click, click as he walks on hardwood, tile, or vinyl floors—his nails are too long.
Ideally, a dog’s nails should not touch the ground. This allows a dog to stand squarely and compactly on the pads of his feet. Nails that are too long put undue stress on the paw by forcing the weight onto the back of the pad. Equally important, nails that are too long can be broken, torn off, or snagged, and can scratch furniture, hardwood floors, and skin.
Torn or broken nails can cause a Rottweiler a great deal of pain and discomfort, and they may become infected, which can require veterinary attention to remove the nail completely.
As with other aspects of grooming, it is best to introduce your Rottweiler to the practice of nail care at a young age, because some dogs can be a bit fussy about nail trimming. If you choose to clip the nails yourself, it is highly advisable to invest in a good-quality nail clipper designed specifically for dogs.
In the beginning, depending on the puppy’s level of cooperation, you may want to simply touch the nail clipper to the puppy’s nail and then offer plenty of praise. Then progress to clipping tiny bits of nail and then trimming off the remaining dead nail in small bits.
In the beginning, you may need someone to help hold your dog, but once you get used to it, trimming your Rottweiler’s nails is no more difficult than trimming your own. When in doubt, ask a veterinarian, groomer, or breeder to show you how to do it properly. Or have a professional trim them regularly, which can be once a week or once a month—or somewhere in between—depending on the dog.
