The case for leaving dew claws intact

[labguy]

Below is a discussion on the subject of dew claw removal that was posted by a very well respected Veterinarian on another site.

This discussion pertains to "competition and performance" dogs who endure a lot more physical stress than your average hunting dog.

Ive always had dew claws removed on any dog I've owned or bred. If I didn't trust and respect the source of this "new" information I would continue removing dew claws. Now....I'm not so sure.

https://www.retrievertraining.net/forums/showthread.php?213870-The-Case-for-Dewclaws

[Ron.C]

Thanks for sharing. Good read.

Admittedly, this is new info to me and my pup still has her dew claws. It was never recommended as even being an option?

[jlirot]

Interesting read for sure. I've never had dew claws removed but I know lots of folks who give good reasons for doing so.

[Stresd]

I've never removed the dew claws of my dogs, though I have at times thought about it. After reading the vets thoughts and experiences. I am glad that I never did. Thanks for posting!

[labguy]

Thanks for sharing. Good read.

Admittedly, this is new info to me and my pup still has her dew claws. It was never recommended as even being an option?

Dew claws are usually removed in puppies at 2 or 3 days of age by most people who breed dogs.

Your breeder, Tracy, is also a Veterinarian who is an ethical and conscientious person who keeps up to date on these things. If shes not removing them I think it speaks volumes.

[Dakota Creek]

Below is a discussion on the subject of dew claw removal that was posted by a very well respected Veterinarian on another site.

This discussion pertains to "competition and performance" dogs who endure a lot more physical stress than your average hunting dog.

Ive always had dew claws removed on any dog I've owned or bred. If I didn't trust and respect the source of this "new" information I would continue removing dew claws. Now....I'm not so sure.

https://www.retrievertraining.net/forums/showthread.php?213870-The-Case-for-Dewclaws

Was questioning this myself on our next litter!

[adriaticum]

The problem with leaving dewclaws is just injury I think.
My pup had them removed and the way it was explained to me is that dogs who are active can often break the dewclaw and cause greater problems later.
They rub on things, hook on things etc.
For city dogs that live in a house all their lives and don't spend much time in the country that would be fine.
But I can see how my dog could injure it while hiking and going through our pine beetle infested woods.
Maybe if they can remove the nail attached and leave the muscles and ligaments alone.
Interesting discussion.

[Edzzed]

We had one dog and the dew claw grew so much that when we noticed it (fur in the way) we could not use regular nail trimmers. I actually used a wire cutter to snip it. It had grown so much that it was looping back to grow into the skin.

[Iron Glove]

None of our Tollers have had them removed and we've never had any problems at all with them despite them spending way more time in the "bush" and such than most dogs. Only our first Toller could be considered, maybe, as a "Performance Dog" as she was quite involved in Agility trials and such.
Daughter, when she was working at a Vet's Office suggested we not do it, she didn't do it to their Lab.
Good post Lab Guy, that kind of info should be out there.
Now, let's discuss declawing cats. :sad:

[huntingfamily]

Great info here

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=568915563442033&id=330710293929229

[Foxton Gundogs]

So I have seen a dewclaw ripped from it's bed and 1/2 way up it's leg on my lab while hunting Ptarmigan when I lived in Cassiar. The snow had a crust he was able to run on but he broke through catching his dewclaw. I personally will not leave dewclaws on a dog front or back. Most back DCs are not attached with bone and are just flopping around waiting to rip so at the very least they need to go. JMHO. As far as Tracy's pups go, I believe that her decisions to remove or not comes from the fact she is a vet and bound by their association rules and they have mandated no tail docking or dewclaw removal. Again JMHO, not speking for her.

[Jack Russell]

Our vet recommended leaving the large dewclaws on our hound. Its not much different than an amputation.

[Foxton Gundogs]

Done as pups at 3 days it is MUCH different than an amputation. Quick snip, wrap of tape and they are back sucking without a care in the world. Quite a few vets are just parroting the Vet Assoc. policy not their own beliefs. Vets where their hands are not tied will give you a whole different story.

[Stresd]

I have stubbed my toe an awful lot over the years. Even broke them a few times. Sure wish I could have had it amputated at a few days old.

[35rem]

It is important to realize this discussion is about FRONT dewclaws, not back. Many dogs are born without rear dewclaws; some breeds double rear dewclaws are in the breed standard. The rear dewclaws typically do not offer support; most of them are just loose in the skin. Front dewclaws, as pointed out here, do have a function.
As long as owners keep the nail trimmed front dewclaw injuries are rare. Hind dewclaw injuries are more common; partly because they just flop around and also because the hind legs move closer together than the front causing them to catch on each other.
When clients ask for my opinion I do not recommend removing front dewclaws, but some superstitions are persistent...

[35rem]

For those interested in the science behind it (emphasis added by me):


A survey of risk factors for digit injuries among dogs training and competing in agility events.
Language: English
J Am Vet Med Assoc. January 2018;252(1):75-83.
Debra C Sellon, Katherine Martucci, John R Wenz, Denis J Marcellin-Little, Michelle Powers, Kimberley L Cullen

Article AbstractOBJECTIVE To identify potential risk factors for digit injuries in dogs training and competing in agility events. DESIGN Internet-based, retrospective, cross-sectional survey. ANIMALS 1,081 dogs training or competing in agility events. PROCEDURES Data were collected for eligible animals via retrospective surveys distributed electronically to handlers of dogs participating in agility-related activities. Variables evaluated included demographic (handlers) and signalment (dogs) information, physical characteristics of dogs, and injury characteristics. A separate survey of dogs competing in similar agility-related activities but without digit injuries was also administered. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop a model for assessment of risk factors. RESULTS Data were collected from 207 agility dogs with digit injuries and 874 agility dogs without digit injuries. Factors associated with significantly increased odds of injury included Border Collie breed (OR, 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 3.3), long nails (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.5), absence of front dewclaws (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.6), and greater weight-to-height ratio (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.0). Odds of injury decreased with increasing age of the dog (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.86). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results should be cautiously interpreted because of potential respondent and recall bias and lack of review of medical records. Nevertheless, results suggested that retaining healthy dewclaws, maintaining lean body mass, and trimming nails short for training and competition may decrease the likelihood of digit injuries. Research to investigate training practices, obstacle construction specifcations, and surface considerations for dogs competing in agility activities is indicated.

[adriaticum]

I have stubbed my toe an awful lot over the years. Even broke them a few times. Sure wish I could have had it amputated at a few days old.


For toes it's never too late.

[mastercaster]

Dogs that break through the ice have an extremely difficult time getting back out on their own, if they can at all. The icy cold water takes such a toll on them after a prolonged period of time, plus they panic so much that they usually can't complete the task.

Here is a very informative video showing how bird dosg use their dew claws to get out of broken ice in deeper water. Well worth the watch!

https://youtu.be/r4XflsMEk-k

[lorneparker1]

Rosie has most of her dew claws removed.... She has a deformed one on her right front paw that didnt get cut right. DOesnt seem to hurt her but if i touch it she licks my hand the whole time so that says something.

New pup has all hers. I think there is a pretty big shift going on and it will be rare to see them removed now a days .

Lorne

[Foxton Gundogs]

That is from not getting the entire nail bed Lorne. I make sure to grab the nail and pull the whole dewclaw out as far as I can then I use curved scissors curve down to make sure to get the entire bed. Can't recall ever have one grow back. I'll still be removing them as long as I breed.

[sakohunter]

My field dogs had their dew claws removed. Never had a problem with them and Chukar hunting tears dogs up. One less thing to worry about.

[mastercaster]

My field dogs had their dew claws removed. Never had a problem with them and Chukar hunting tears dogs up. One less thing to worry about.

Both brittanies I had plus my griff had theirs removed but I like the idea of a dog being able to save itself by being able to use them to pull them themselves back onto the ice if they break through. It really helps them get up shale like or icy steep slopes, as well, because they use them like ice picks.