mydawgz

2 questions on my newly adopted (formerly abused) Riley. Why would someone have removed his dew claws?? I can't find much information on it except... some people do it and some people don't. Also, I think his back legs are taller than the front legs. Is this situation adding to the "strain" of a breed who already struggles with back issues?

ps. Overall.. he is a perfect little gentleman. I love him sooo much and I am soo thankful for him. His little happy spirit has truly saved me.

bklantz

I heard that people get dew claws removed because they aren't attached very well to the foot so there is a chance of them getting caught and coming off? No clue if that is true, both mine have dew claws. My boyfriend's brother's terrier had the dew claws removed when she was a pup, no clue why though.

SophieB

I think some breeders remove dew claws at birth but most are left on and kept trimmed, just like their claws should be if they don't do much road/pavement walking to wear them down naturally. I have seen some horrendously long Basset claws on some YouTube clips!

jaleely

It's just like docking tails or ears on other breeds...it's some "best look" kind of thing they come up with...some one says they hear better without the extra hanging ears, some say they have better balance without their tails...and for dew claws they say they are dangerous and could get caught on things...that they are useless appendages that the animals have evolved to not use. But, frankly, that's bull LOL
my Bowser uses his dew claws to rub his eyes with in the mornings when he cleans his face with his paws, like a cat!
My dog daisy, whom we adopted as an adult. was already missing hers and she rubs and rubs at her face when something is in her eye and she can't get it out on her own.

Anyway, I figure if they were born with it, why CUT them to remove whatever it is you want removed? And i have actually NEVER heard of anyone who had a dog catch it's dew claw in something. I've heard of LONG NAILS on dogs catching, but that's it. I feel sorry for the ones that have been altered!

So yeah there's my 2 cents : )

bubbad

Removing dew claws is not a big deal the standard says either way is fine. I personally prefer my dogs without them. Vinny 's were removed shortly after birth and Esa still has hers ,and, as an adult, I won't bother removing them now.

Mikey T

Contrary to many a myth the dew claws to contact the ground and as such do have a purpose. but as noted in rare occasion and for some dogs the may become easily injured. There is much less trauma to the the dog to remove them early then wait until they are an adult so some breeders as a preventive and some times asthetic consisderation remove them sortly after birth. If not remove then then it is generl best for the dog to leave them unless the become injured.


This movement looks rather unnaturally, as if the paw is broken. But with each dog there is a short moment in the landing, where this occurs. It is a quite normal sequence of motion, that clearly supports absorbing the kinetic energy.