The Best Dog Nail Clippers For German Shepherds: Top 9 Picks

There are many good reasons to love a German Shepherd, as they are one of the most intelligent and engaging of all dog breeds.

However, their long wolf-like claws can be a little bit of a pain.

They scratch up the furniture, they annoy you by clacking their toenails against the floor, and they accidentally scratch you when trying to get your attention.

To help you deal with these annoyances, we present our list of the nine best dog nail clippers for a German Shepherd.

IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…

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	5/5 AriTan Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer Best Overall Product	Best Budget Product 5/5 Zen Pet Nail Clippers	Runners-Up 4.5/5 H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers
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Summary	This looks to be a tough and durable set of clippers, which should help them to last longer than most.	This is a unique tool that uses a completely different kind of blade.	This is a small and compact set of clippers, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Pros	Very strong spring	Very high safety factor	Very sharp
Cons	Spreads your grip too wide	Difficult to sharpen	No spring

1. AriTan Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer

This looks to be a tough and durable set of clippers, which should help them to last longer than most.

We like the fact that these clippers have a very strong spring.

This makes it easy to get a strong cut, although you do have to be a little more careful here.

This one also comes with a file that can be used to finish your dog’s nails by hand.

If your dog is a little more sensitive, they might find hand-filing to be less traumatic than a clipper, but we recommend that you use these two tools together.

This one has a small metal tab that serves as a locking mechanism. It’s just a small rounded tab that can be moved with your finger.

We have mixed feelings about this feature.

While it looks nice, it’s not all that effective at controlling your cuts. You still have to be very careful, which defeats the whole point of the safety guard.

2. Zen Pet Nail Clippers

This is a unique tool that uses a completely different kind of blade. Instead of working as a set of garden clippers, this one has a small hole in the tip.

The end of the nail is inserted through this hole, and the blade is then engaged to lop off the end. After that, the nail can be filed to the desired shape.

This one has a very high safety factor, as its blade is only designed to take tiny pieces off the tips of your dog’s nails.

This could be an issue for larger German Shepherds, but that 3mm hole should still be large enough.

The unique design of the blade makes for a very clean cut.

It shears rather than crushes, just as the advertising claims.

Of course, we do have one or two complaints. It would be nice if the spring were a little stronger, as this would give a faster and cleaner cut.

It would also be nice if the blade were a little easier to sharpen.

Like any blade, it will eventually need sharpening, but its enclosed nature makes things a lot more difficult.

3. H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers

This is a small and compact set of clippers, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Even though the German Shepherd is a very large dog, their nails are just as sensitive as those of any other dog.

If you need something small, cheap, and lightweight, these would be a pretty good choice.

The blades are very sharp and do a good job of shearing the nail away with minimal pressure.

This makes for a quicker and easier experience for the dog and you.

Because you can easily open them all the way (no spring to hold them back), it is extremely easy to sharpen these clippers with a hand file or rotary tool.

We just wish that the finger holes were a little bit larger.

We like the grip of the handle, as it is made with a series of knobby protrusions that are meant to fit the contours of your hand.

This makes it easier to maintain solid control over every cut that you make.

Still, the lack of a spring can be irritating for those who have grown accustomed to this feature.

4. Aibors Dog Nail Clippers

This is another set of hole-type trimmers, but these look a little bit more professional than the others.

You may have seen a device much like this one at your vet’s office, as many professionals prefer this design.

That’s probably due to the increased safety factor.

It’s very easy to use these clippers. You just insert your dog’s nail through the hole, being careful not to go too far.

Then, you squeeze the handle gently until the blade is touching the nail.

Verify once again that you are cutting in the right place, and then squeeze the handle.

This whole thing is encased in smooth plastic, which means there are almost no parts that can snag and hang on other objects.

That’s very good when storing these clippers in a bag, as it will be easier to get them out.

We also like the fact that you get 18 months of free customer service with this product.

Like all hole-type clippers, this one has a type of blade that is somewhat difficult to sharpen.

It’s not impossible by any means, but you will probably have to break out the rotary tool and put a sanding wheel on the job.

A hand file will probably be too big for this job. We also find that it’s easy to lose control of these clippers if you squeeze too hard.

If you aren’t careful to apply even pressure to both sides, you will end up with an uneven cut, or (worse) a twisting action that can hurt the dog.

5. Invenho Pet Nail Grinder

If you need a way to trim your dog’s nails a little faster, an electric trimmer might be just the thing.

These trimmers use a rotating drum to grind away the excess nail material.

Naturally, you have to be a little more careful when using a tool like this, but they do a much faster job than any set of clippers.

This grinder uses a diamond bit, which is a piece of diamond-steel.

In case you don’t know, that’s just steel that has been mixed with diamond dust.

Although this wheel does a great job of eating the nails, we can’t help but wonder why they felt it necessary to use a diamond cutting wheel.

That kind of thing is normally used for grinding hardened steel, so this seems like overkill to us.

This thing comes with an extra grinding wheel, which means you shouldn’t have to buy a new one for quite some time.

We also like the rechargeable battery and the fact that this grinder has a speed adjustment.

A rotary grinder is significantly more expensive than a set of hand clippers, but you will at least save some time.

6. GoPets Nail Clippers

This is a very simple set of clippers, but it offers all the functionality you need in a simple and durable package.

We don’t see any weak points in this product, so it gets very high marks in the durability department.

Everything is held together by a large screw and a locking washer, so it should hold up for a long time.

Because of the way the blades are sharpened, it is a little easier to see what you are doing.

They are sharpened at a low, long angle, which makes it far easier to see when you are about to trim too much.

There is a slight offset to the handle, which can be a good thing or a bad thing.

Once you get used to it, it will probably help you to be more accurate, but it’s a little annoying in the meantime.

These are spring-loaded clippers, which means you don’t have to squeeze as hard when using them.

It also means you don’t have to reset the clippers after each cut, so all of that is helpful.

A small metal bar at the base of the handle allows you to hold the clippers shut when they aren’t being used.

It may not offer any special features of any kind, but this product offers great functionality in a simple and inexpensive combination.

7. Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Cordless Pet Dog Nail Grooming & Grinding Tool

When it comes to small rotary tools, Dremel is easily the most trusted name in the business.

A lot of people swear by their products, but let’s see if this one lives up to their usual standards.

This is a tool that is best suited for professionals or those with a very steady hand.

There is no real safety mechanism here, so you have to be extremely careful.

One slip of your hand might be enough to cause your dog serious pain, so go slow and easy with this one.

The only issue with electric grinders is the fact that they might scare the animal.

The noise of its operation, combined with the rush of air coming from its exhaust port, can spook some dogs badly.

Thankfully, this tool has a wide range of power settings so that you can do the job with as little trauma as possible.

If you have a steady hand for it, this tool might be the best choice on our list.

To be sure, it makes a great professional-level tool, although you might be nervous the first time you see someone bringing a power tool near your dog!

8. CleanHouse Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers

These clippers look very nice with their attractive blue handles and shiny stainless steel.

Of course, looks don’t matter much for a product like this, but this one also scores high in the toughness category.

Like some of our other choices, this one is held together by a large screw and a locking washer, which should make it very hard to disassemble (even if you want to do so).

The rubberized handle gives a firm and secure grip, which makes for more precise cutting.

This one has a safety catch, much like a few of the others, and it doesn’t seem to be any different than most.

We like the lifetime warranty because it shows that the company put some time and effort into making a tough product.

If they didn’t have confidence in their product, they wouldn’t even offer something like that.

9. Gonicc Dog & Cat Nail Clippers

This is another set of hand clippers, and this one has two distinctive features.

For one thing, this tool has a button on the handle that allows you to lock the blades.

Once it is engaged, the tool cannot be opened. This is great for those with small children in the house, as it should help to prevent accidents.

This one also has a small recess in the handle, in which a small nail file is stored.

That way, you can carry both your tools together for trimming on the go.

The file allows you to smooth down the rough edges of the freshly-cut nail, preventing it from catching and snagging on various things.

Overall, we can only find two flaws with this product. For one thing, it’s a little bit expensive when you consider its relative simplicity.

It’s not that expensive, but it’s a little higher than most other clippers of this type.

Also, we aren’t sure why they put a huge plastic cover on top of the main screw.

It’s kind of pointless, so you might want to remove it with a flathead screwdriver.

Buyer’s Guide

At this point, you should have a much better idea about how to choose the best dog nail clippers.

However, we should go over some general information to give you a little more guidance.

Let’s look at the qualities that you should look for when choosing a product of this type.

Safety

This is always the most important factor. If you accidentally cut too deep, your dog will experience pain, soreness, and a little bit of bleeding.

Although this isn’t a serious problem, it’s something that your dog does not need.

Thus, you need to pick a trimmer that offers a high enough safety factor.

If you do not have a steady and precise hand, do not attempt to use most rotary trimmers. It is just too easy to go too far with one of these.

Yes, all the professionals use them, but you probably don’t have that level of skill or experience.

Durability

When you buy a set of nail clippers for your dog, you need to be able to trust that the product will continue working for years to come.

No one wants to keep paying good money for weak products, so make sure you pick something tough enough to withstand serious abuse.

The cheapest clippers tend to have a lot of durability issues, mostly because they are made from substandard steel.

Comfort

Of course, your clippers need to fit comfortably in the hand. This isn’t just a matter of convenience for you, but also a matter of control.

A comfortable grip makes it easier to work precisely, and that is very important here.

Also, you don’t want to make the task of trimming your dog’s nails into an unpleasant ordeal.

By making it a little easier on you, a comfortable set of clippers will make you less hesitant to keep up with the grooming work.

Special Features

Last but not least, you should consider any special features that might be present in the product.

This might include a hidden file or a unique blade design, or any number of other features.

Unfortunately, some of these features are just gimmicks that serve no purpose other than to sell the product.

When choosing a set of clippers, don’t get suckered in by big claims about special features.

Evaluate each one and determine if they are needed.

Best Dog Nail Clippers For German Shepherds: Final Remarks 

A dog nail clipper might be a simple device, but there are a lot of ways in which companies can get it right (or wrong).

As such, we advise you to choose carefully and always remember that the safety of your dog is priority number one.

If you have enjoyed this article and found it to be helpful, we hope that you will come back soon.

FAQ

What are the best nail clippers for German shepherds?

The best nail clippers for German shepherds are usually the larger, more heavy-duty clippers designed specifically for big dogs. Options include guillotine clippers, plier-style clippers, or pet nail grinding kits.

How do I trim my German shepherd’s nails?

To trim your German shepherd’s nails, you should first become familiar with their anatomy and be conscious not to cut into the quick, the pink part of the nail containing blood vessels and nerves. Use professional-grade clippers and proceed with caution.

What is the recommended nail trim frequency for German shepherds?

Nail trimming frequency varies depending on the dog’s activity level and environment. For German shepherds, it’s generally recommended to trim their nails every 4-6 weeks to maintain optimal nail health and prevent overgrowth and related issues.

Can I use regular dog nail clippers on my German shepherd?

While regular dog nail clippers may be suitable for smaller breeds, they may not provide the necessary strength and precision required for large dogs like German shepherds. It’s best to use specially designed large dog nail clippers for this breed.

How do I prevent my German shepherd’s nails from splitting?

To prevent splitting, maintain your German shepherd’s nails at a proper length and avoid letting them grow too long. Use the right nail clippers with sharp blades to ensure a clean cut and trim the nails regularly to prevent overgrowth and splitting.

Is it necessary to grind my German shepherd’s nails?

Grinding your German shepherd’s nails can be beneficial, especially for those who are hesitant about using traditional clippers. Nonetheless, grinding is not obligatory if you are able to comfortably and safely trim the nails with professional-grade clippers.

How do I stop my German shepherd’s nails from bleeding if I accidentally cut the quick?

If you accidentally cut the quick, use a styptic powder or gel to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure to the nail and hold it for a few minutes until the bleeding ceases. Seek veterinary assistance if the bleeding is prolonged or severe.

Recommended reading:

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• 5 Best Dog Brushes For German Shepherds
• 7 Best Dog Grooming Tools For A German Shepherd