Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm a bit confused about the length of my GSD's nails. Her nails are mostly black and I can't see the quick. Also they seem to grow straight unlike most of my other dogs which were curved. I've been slowly cutting them back a little each week, but really don't know how much I can safely cut back. I always have quick stop on hand but thankfully have never needed it. This is my first full bred GSD, she will be celebrating her first birthday this month. Any suggestions?

I'm always worried about cutting the nails to short with a more traditional trimmer. I know that I've waited too long to cut them when I can hear them hitting the kitchen floor. His nails are much like the one's that you describe, but I have a good sense where the quick is -- sorry, that's not so helpful.

Having a vet or groomer show you would be the easiest, it would be very difficult to explain to you in words on here.. Groomers usually clip nails for a very low cost..

Thanks for your suggestions. As for the vet, unfortunately the vets in this area are not in my opinion a dogs best friend. I've wondered countless times why they even became vets. I use them only for routine shots whenever possible. The last bad experience I had with one was with my GSD Biff Tala. I decided to have her spayed. It took 4 months for her incision to heal and all this time she had to constantly wear a head collar. The vets in this area seem to treat a dog very roughly, especially if it is a large breed.
Sorry for the rant but this area could use a good vet.

That's really unfortunate.. Many vets like that though I've found act that way out of some twisted logic version of self defense. Almost as if they need to assert their dominance fully before the dog gets the chance to breathe. It's strange.. I went to classes for a week with a friend of mine who's going through to be a vet and even some of the DVM profs were like that, particularly with the cows, for some reason..

Are there any groomers in the area? A petsmart maybe?