Dewclaw question

• 06-12-2008 8:16 PM

  ingemk Joined on 09-10-2007 Mississippi Posts 221 Points 60

  Dewclaw question Reply Contact (after reading the advocacy thread) Do breeders usually remove the dewclaws on puppies? what breeds? all my dogs still have theirs, although I wish Dixie would not. In the past 4 years she has ripped the nail out off her dew claw about 5 times while playing. That's pretty painful for her and I think I would ask a breeder to remove dewclaws if I were to get a puppy from a breeder. Just curious, looking for opinions....... Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden

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• 06-12-2008 8:31 PM

  In reply to ingemk

  losinsusan Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 346 Points 65

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact Every pure bred dog I have bought has had them removed.  I wouldn't get a pure bred dog with them personally.  I get scratched enough without that to deal with also.  We had seen several irish setter pups with them and I didn't even consider contacting the breeder because most good breeders have removed them.  Again just my opinion!  My husband feels it looks more attractive and enlongates the dogs leg.  Not that we have a show dog by any means but he is gorgeous to us! JAX RIP 03/16/07 Run free my beautiful man

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• 06-12-2008 8:55 PM

  In reply to losinsusan

  Beauceron.Akita.Golden Joined on 11-09-2007 Texas Posts 130 Points 50

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact it depends on the breed..my golden retriever has no dewclaws-hers were obviously removed as a puppy, because you can see the scars  My akita has front dewclaws..*knock on wood* ive never had a problem with them getting caught on anything.  Not sure the purpose of leaving them on there, but i dont think ive ever seen an akita without them.  They are very tight and close to the leg. My beauceron, of course, has 6 DEWCLAWS!  It is a breed trait, and They must have them in order to be shown..1 on each front leg, and 2 on each rear.  The ones on the front are normal, and tight.  The ones on the back legs are fairly close/tight to the leg...again i have yet to have problems with them getting caught on anything.  Not sure the exact purpose of this, the best answer ive heard is that it aids in movement and sharp turning when herding..seems to me like theyd be more of a hindurance then help overall, but for a breed thats been around for so many hundreds of years, and im just getting into it..i guess i dotn know it all! Starlight's Golden Kodi CGC CD "Kodi"- golden retriever Contessa du Chateau Rocher "Tessa" -beauceron Falcor's Fire Hazard CGC CD RN "Diesel"-akita

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• 06-12-2008 9:00 PM

  In reply to ingemk

  samshine Joined on 09-10-2007 Denver, CO, USA Posts 382 Points 0

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact Breeders (I mean good breeders here) always remove rear dew claws unless the breed standard calls for them, like Great Pyrs and a couple others. For the fronts, it varies by breed. In some breeds they always remove, in some they often leave them. In my breed most but not all remove the fronts. I think it tends to go by how much bone they should have. For example, in Rottweilers and Malamutes you want a big sturdy leg. Leaving the front dew claw can add to the appearance of size. In a breed that should be refined like a Standard Poodle then I think they always remove.

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• 06-12-2008 10:23 PM

  In reply to samshine

  nataliem Joined on 03-31-2007 MN Posts 309 Points 10	Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact My dog is a shelter mix and she had hers done by I don't know who. She's a terrier mix and they docked her tail and removed her dew claws at birth, but I don't know why they would do that and then dump her at the shelter.
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• 06-12-2008 10:36 PM

  In reply to ingemk

  HoundMusic Joined on 09-01-2007 Bronx, NY Posts 465 Points 0

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact      I always remove dewclaws. If I have a litter that I want a pup to show, it needs the dew claws removed for the cleaner appearance. I also have a stud that frequently throws large, bulky rear dewclaws, so those need to be removed for safety reasons. They'd get caught on brush in the field and would bleed like crazy! Removing the dewclaws is not cruelty in any way, shape or form - it's actually doing a service to the dog.

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• 06-13-2008 7:09 AM

  In reply to HoundMusic

  stardog85 Joined on 09-10-2007 South Carolina, USA Posts 1,390 Points 105

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact  I totally get removing rear dews because of their generally floppy nature, but why remove a well attached front dew?!  I have seen how much both of my girls use those front dew claws, both when making fast turns as well as manipulating bones, etc. and I would never want to take them away - their nails on those toes are always worn down so I know they're used frequently.  Seems silly to me to remove usuable body parts in general though. Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, and Super Puppy Ziva

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• 06-13-2008 9:20 AM

  In reply to stardog85

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 5,563 Points 4,170

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact My husky has her front dewclaws and she's never had a problem with them. They are attached really well and I don't see a reason to take them off. My 2 aussies had all their dews removed. However, my foster aussie has all 4 dewclaws. I'm going to have her back ones removed when she's spayed and keep her fronts. They are well attached like my huskies and I just don't see a reason to take them off.

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• 06-13-2008 10:10 AM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  tiffy Joined on 09-10-2007 Tacoma, Wa. Posts 1,560 Points 110	Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact When I got Tootsie her front dewclaws were removed.
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• 06-13-2008 10:50 AM

  In reply to tiffy

  jode88 Joined on 06-27-2006 DFW Area Posts 691 Points 25	Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact My Maggie is a Great Pyr with double dew claws and I think they are cute!  Its her breed standard but I still would not remove them if they were not.  I see no need.  They don't bother her, never get caught or ripped off.  Just kinda flop around...I personally like the look of her tootsies. pimpyourpooch.blogspot.com
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• 06-13-2008 12:29 PM

  In reply to jode88

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,383 Points 100	Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact I would refuse to buy a dog that had its front dewclaws removed. Dogs use them to an amazing degree, especially when whizzing around sharp turns on agility courses.
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• 06-13-2008 12:47 PM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,993 Points 715

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact mudpuppy: I would refuse to buy a dog that had its front dewclaws removed. Dogs use them to an amazing degree, especially when whizzing around sharp turns on agility courses.   Guess I should send Sequoyah back...  Some breeders remove them on working dogs, and if you want a working dog you take the dog without its dewclaws.  That said, while I would not have refused Sequoyah because of her lack of dewclaws, I would not have had them removed myself for the reason you state.  I didn't even get referred to that litter until after they were removed, because they were done at the same time her tail was docked (yup, another issue - I would have preferred her with a tail, too) at three days of age.  But, because health (no epilepsy) and ability (strong working lines, and the desire for a pup from a particular line) were important to me, I didn't turn my nose up at her.  My Sioux and Maska have their dewclaws and I would not remove them, especially after the neonate stage. Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 06-13-2008 7:09 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,575 Points 75

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact Emma had lovely, attached dewclaws that had to be removed at 14 months because of multiple rips and nasty infections. She sucked her dewclaws, so when they were torn, they stayed wet and got infected. Every. Time. I prefer to see them removed, as a groomer, because most folks don't have their dogs' nails done nearly enough. I've pulled countless dewclaws out of pads. Ena's (Chinese Crested) were removed, and Teenie's were intact. Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 06-13-2008 7:18 PM

  In reply to ingemk

  Bonita of Bwana Joined on 09-14-2007 Posts 1,560 Points 4,410	Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact In rhodesians we almost always remove the dews. While not a requirment we have all seen the profound damage done lure coursing. We do it on day 3 , they need no pain killers anf heal very fast !! Bonita of Bwana Bonita of Bwana AKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks Champions, Therapy Dogs and Awesome Companions
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• 06-13-2008 9:40 PM

  In reply to Bonita of Bwana

  ingemk Joined on 09-10-2007 Mississippi Posts 221 Points 60

  Re: Dewclaw question Reply Contact   Here's a pic of the "stub" and the claw on the other side. I don't think they look "loose"? This happens when she plays ball (retrieves a tennis ball) she does some awsome quick turns on smooth grassy surface. so yeah she uses them for traction, but gosh, thats not so great for her I think! anyway, I don't think I'll ever get a dog from a respectable breeder   (don't worry, rescues for me) I just wondered what the usual practice is. I prefer she would not have dewclaws. Both my other dogs don't abuse theirs this way, so those don't bother me.Any opinions on having them removed now? I think that would be awful for her to go through, But then again to rip the complete nail out of the toe is probably no fun either. thanks for all your replies     Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden

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