How to Trim Dobermans for Show

Trimming the Doberman's nails improves overall health.

Dobermans are smooth-coated, low-maintenance dogs. They don’t normally need fur trimming, but instead need brushing and washing. Nail trimming is more important, since not trimming the Doberman’s nails can lead to splintering or infection, which is not attractive when the judge inspects the Doberman’s paws. Also, bad nails affect the Doberman’s gait and posture.

Things You'll Need

• Hair clippers
• Nail clippers

Instructions

1. Touch the Doberman’s paws when you handle it, so the dog becomes used to having its paws touched, making the Doberman easier to work with.

2. Clip the Doberman’s nails when the nails touch the ground. The nails may make clicking noises on hard floor, letting you know when to trim.

3. Put your arm around the Doberman, both to keep it still and to find the right angle to grab and lift the paw and expose the claw.

4. Look at the claw. The nail should have a clear tip and a dark bundle of nerves closer to the base. Avoid clipping the nerves, which can hurt the Doberman. If the nail is dark, clip under the nail curve and look inside to see if you are close to the nerve.

5. Check the paws for any sign of scrapes or infection. Infected paws are soft, may hurt the Doberman when touched and often swell. By looking at the paws regularly, you will remember what the paw normally looks like, helping you identify abnormalities. Take the Doberman to the vet after discovering an infection.

6. File the rough edge of the nail with a file until it is smooth. If the Doberman gets restless, take a break from trimming.

7. Give the dog a treat so it associates treats with trimming.

8. Use size 30 blade clippers to trim the Doberman along the edges of the ears. Trim near the muzzle, belly, tail and anywhere else that has stray hairs using a size 10 blade. Remove whiskers near the muzzle to make the muzzle neater. Most of the body will not need trimming.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the Doberman regularly so the coat looks healthy. Rinse the Doberman with water, lather in dog shampoo and then rinse the shampoo off.

• Feed the Doberman nutritious food, which ensures the fur has a healthy shine. Ensure that the food contains meat and some whole grains. Feed puppies high-calorie foods and feed more mature dogs lower-calorie foods. Canned dog food is more nutritious than dried food, but also more expensive.

• Bath the Doberman regularly, but avoid bathing the night before the dog show, since the coat will lose its shine.

• Clipping the nails often causes the nerves to recede away from the tips, reducing the chances that you accidentally cut the nerve.

References

• Dog Behavior Training: Welcome To Dog-Behavior-Training
• Dog Channel: The Doberman Pinscher Diet