Why do breeders remove dew claws

Dewclaws are essentially the thumbs and big toes of the dog world. They are not directly equivalent to the human structures, of course, but they are similar. In general, if your dog has a single front dewclaw, it will be. Rear and double dewclaws tend to only be attached by skin and are much more mobile.

When dogs run, their front feet often bend to the point where their dewclaws come in contact with the ground. At high speeds especially when turning or on slippery surfaces, these dewclaws provide extra traction and help stabilize the carpal wrist joint.

The usefulness of dewclaws that are only attached by skin is less clear. Because front dewclaws serve an important purpose, they should not be removed unless there is a very good reason to do so. These problems occur so infrequently, however, that removing healthy front dewclaws to prevent them makes little sense. It is more common for veterinarians to remove loosely attached double or rear dewclaws to prevent injury.

The actual incidence of these types of injuries is still quite low, so the value of these surgeries is up for debate. Typically the surgery is scheduled at the same time the dog is being spayed or neutered while it is anesthetized. If you choose to have this procedure performed it should done when a puppy is under 5 days of age and only after the area has been numbed with a local anesthetic e. Keep in mind that removing the dewclaws in other breeds, like Great Pyrenees , disqualifies them from the show ring.

The rear dewclaws can be different based on breed. They are not as closely attached to the paw usually and can be doubled in certain breeds like Saint Bernards and Great Pyreneeses. It is thought that these larger working dogs have more toes again for stability and to aid in gripping as they are working to herd and protect their farms and people. Side note here — no one has ever asked me to remove rear dewclaws on either of these breeds over the years, yet they are larger and floppier and look more problematic than their well-attached single front dewclaws.

Something to think about. Removal of dewclaws is still a commonly practiced elective procedure usually performed soon after birth. One anatomy text I was reading did call it a mutilation, but that is a pretty powerful term and I will leave that to you to decide. Removal is usually done before 5 days old and before they even open their eyes. But they still feel pain and cry since little, if any, pain medicine is used. That being said, there is nothing wrong with dewclaw removal, at any age if there are problems.

It needs to be treated like any surgery with appropriate pain management and bandaging and aftercare. So how do you protect your pet from hurting and possibly ripping her dewclaws off as she ages? Her dewclaw is a digit and it has a purpose, so just care for it like her other toes. Dewclaws are nothing different than her teeth like how I slipped dentistry into this article? I recommend twice monthly at-home, owner-driven physical exams.

You should be looking her over, head to toe to see what needs attention; brush and clip and examine everything.

And by starting now, as a baby, I promise you that all of your efforts will ensure that she does grow into the wonderful lab that she is destined to become. Good luck. Send questions for Dr. Sorry , an error occurred. Get Started. Log In Register.

You are logged in. Switch accounts. Offers go here. Choose wisely! We won't share it with anyone else. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. So, what do you do? Taking a little bit of time to put in the work will help you to keep your dog healthy and happy without removing his or her dewclaw.

Dogs are more than happy to keep this part of their bodies, and those who have the dewclaw removed could experience mobility issues later in their lives. Ultimately, this is a decision only you can make for your dog. In some breeds, the dewclaws may also play a role in helping them get out of the water, up trees, or even up steep hills. All dogs have dewclaws. The dewclaw is that fifth nail that does not touch the ground when your dog is standing still.

There are some breeds that might have dewclaws on their rear legs or who might even have double dewclaws there, but every breed of dog has dewclaws on its front legs.

They can bother them if they become ingrown, of course, but regular maintenance can help with this. Menu Skip to right header navigation Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation Skip to primary sidebar We are supported by commissions earned for purchases made through the links in our articles.

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