Toenails Trimming of Chinese Shar-Pei
Another generalization I can make about this breed is that, almost universally, they resent anyone doing anything with their feet, and toenail trimming can be an unpleasant chore. However, it is necessary. You must begin when they are very young and do it on a regular basis.
With young puppies, their nails are still small enough for you to use regular toenail snips, but as they mature, their nails will get large and thick, and you will have to invest in a good pair of guillotine toenail clippers. I have devised my own technique that works best for me, but it takes two people, one to hold the head and comfort the dog while I hold the dog between my knees, lift the leg and snip away. I have tried every method with my Shar-Pei, and they seem to object the least to this one. You don’t want this chore to turn into a struggling match. The dog feels more comfortable because he is standing. By forcing him to lie down for this procedure, you are only causing more stress. If all else fails, you can take your dog to the vet’s office for toenail clipping, but this can lead to the dog hating vet visits. It’s best to let your dog know who’s boss and insist that he cooperate with you even if you have to pull out the muzzle and use it.
If you trim the nails on a regular basis (at least every two weeks), you will have to snip off only the end of the toenail (about one-eighth inch at a time). This will keep the toenails short enough, but if too much time elapses between trims, the nails will become too long and the “quick” (the blood supply to the nail) will grow along with the nail. Trimming frequently inhibits the growth of the quick. If at all possible, cut the dog’s nails outside on a sunny day. This way, you can see the quick and avoid cutting the nail too close (unless your dog has very black nails, but even then the sunlight will help reveal the quick). Keep a styptic powder on hand in case you accidentally cut into the quick. A little of this powder placed on the end of the nail will stop the bleeding, though your dog will most definitely let you know that you have erred.
Don’t forget the dewclaw, if your Shar-Pei still has two (or more). These rudimentary “thumbs” are located farther up on the inside of the leg just above the foot. If your dog was born with them, your breeder may have removed them shortly after birth. Check both front and hind legs for dewclaws. While most Shar-Pei do not have rear dewclaws, some are born with them. They should have been removed by the breeder but may still be present If neglected, dewclaws can continue to grow and curve into the leg, and become very painful and possibly infected. If this happens, your veterinarian will need to remove them surgically. Careful maintenance will avoid this.