Should You Remove Your Dog's Dewclaws?
Many dog owners often ask their veterinarian whether their dog's dewclaws should be removed. There are several situations in which removal is advantageous, and owners should consider their dog's lifestyle when making such a decision.
The dewclaw is the digit on the innermost part of the foot. It does not make contact with the ground. Most dogs will have dewclaws on their front feet when born however it is rare to find them on the back feet. This digit is considered a vestigial structure that is non-functional in most breeds. However in several breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees and Briards, rear dewclaws are common and included in the breed standard. The Great Pyrenees even has a double dewclaw, an inherited trait called polydactylism, so that there are two bony digits instead of one. The Great Pyrenees is a livestock guardian dog and the terrain they work on is rough and uneven. The double dewclaws placed low on their rear legs act as functional digits to help them gain stability. However, in other breeds of dogs that do have a rear dewclaw, it is often hanging loose and susceptible to being torn off. This is the main reason why it is sometimes recommended to remove the rear dewclaws, especially if the dog is going to be running outdoors in the brush (like hunting dogs).
Some breeders have their puppies dewclaws removed at 3-5 days of age. At this age, the dewclaw is adhered loosely so it is very easy to remove. The veterinarian will clamp at the base of the dewclaw at the joint and this is often enough to allow for manual removal. Surgical glue or sutures are then used to close the wound and prevent bleeding, although there is little bleeding associated with this procedure. If the breeder has decided to allow the dewclaws to remain, you will need to make a decision around the time of your puppy's spay or neuter as to whether the dewclaws should be removed. Factors to consider are where your dog will be spending his/her time, if your dog has rear dewclaws and the degree of adherence of the dewclaws. Any dewclaw loosely adhered should be removed, regardless of whether the dog will be in nature or walking on city sidewalks since loose dewclaws can catch onto anything and become torn.
Veterinarians prefer to remove dewclaws during the spay/neuter because the dog will already be under general anesthesia so it eliminates the risks associated with another anesthesia. If you are considering showing your dog in the ring, it is advisable to consult the breed standard of the kennel club you are associated with. Most state that removal is optional though there are a few breeds where dewclaws are required and some in which dewclaw removal is mandatory.
Many dog owners often leave the front dewclaws for the reason that they are usually held close to the paw so need not be removed. However, this does not mean that they should be forgotten. They are easily missed due to their location and it doesn't help if the dog has long hair which covers it! Dewclaws should be trimmed during routine nail trims. This is especially important because these claws cannot be worn down since they do not make ground contact. If left untrimmed, the claw grows in a curly fashion, which may be uncomfortable or even painful because the claw may grow around into the skin. It also makes trimming extremely difficult.
If your dog has dewclaws, you may wish to consult with your veterinarian as to whether they should be removed, taking into consideration your dog's lifestyle. Dewclaws not removed should be maintained during the routine nail trim to prevent overgrowth of the claw.
Photo of a broken dewclaw from This Year's Love's photostream.
--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
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phoenix landscape design on November 29, 2010 at 06:40 PM
Don't bad dewclaws often cause the dog a lot of hurt and pain? The design of the nail is such that it can seriously dig into their paws, right?
joesen on December 16, 2010 at 10:16 PM
If you are considering showing your dog in the ring, it is advisable to consult the breed standard of the kennel club you are associated with. Most state that removal is optional though there are a few breeds where dewclaws are required and some in which dewclaw removal is mandatory.
B Espryt on June 18, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Not all dewclaws are vestigial. I have had one English Pointer and one German Shorthaired pointer that BOTH used their front dewclaws - for running, climbing, digging. Those toes even moved when they were dreaming about running. I NEVER had to trim those claws because they were always worn down.
marcia rogne on October 26, 2011 at 07:25 AM
My breeder, told me, she removed the dew claws of my Bichon..I noticed the dew claws are back, and she is now 1 year old..My ?, were those dew claws ever really removed..and can they "grow back?
Spot on January 02, 2012 at 10:15 AM
My mother's slave master chopped off all of our families thumbs and big toes shortly after our birth. Although I was young I am still upset when I see scissors. There was no reason why my thumbs needed to be removed, she did the procedure without anesthetic. She believed that at a young age we wouldn't remember but we do.
Stop the intentional physical torture of small animals, say no to the scissors!
Spot
Commando
Puppy Liberation Front