Dew Claws

AkiraleShiba · 02-09-2008, 11:35 AM

I am just wondering why we remove them in some breeds (Cairn) and not in some other (Shiba).

I once read that it was "dangerous" for dogs to still have them in their modern life. Is it true?

Should I worry about Akira's dew claws or it's totally normal to have them?

Willowy · 02-09-2008, 11:38 PM

It's in the breed standard to have the dews removed in some breeds (such as Rottweilers), and to leave them in other breeds (such as Great Pyrenees). If the dews were not removed when the dog was a neonate, they should not be removed later, IMO, unless there's a problem with them. After a dog is grown, the bone is calcified, making the removal very painful. 2 of my dogs have their dewclaws, and they haven't had any problems yet. Willow has huge scars where her dews used to be....I don't know if the "breeder" removed them too late or what. Moose doesn't have visible scars, unless you look very carefully. All in all, I prefer for my dogs to have their dewclaws.

RonE · 02-09-2008, 11:50 PM

Without dew claws it is MUCH more difficult to drive a car.

animalcraker · 02-10-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willowy

All in all, I prefer for my dogs to have their dewclaws.

out of curiosity why do you prefer your dogs to have their dewclaws?

briteday · 02-10-2008, 08:41 PM

I've only seen pictures in text books...but the dew claw is attached to a tendon (or ligament?) that runs up the length of the leg. If the dew claw gets caught on something and the dog keeps pulling away the tendon can rip all the way up the leg, necessitating surgery I would guess.

One of my own dogs has caught her front dew claw twice, pulled just the nail out (found it stuck in a fence board one day due to the blood running down the board), and seemed to recover fine. I took her to the vet for antibiotics to prevent infection and he said it might not grow back. But the nail did grow back. And she pulled the same one out a second time, same thing.

Willowy · 02-11-2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by animalcraker

out of curiosity why do you prefer your dogs to have their dewclaws?

The 2 dogs who still have their dews really use them, they're not just useless appendages.......they hold toys and bones with them, pull stuff out of their mouths with them, etc. And I don't really like cutting parts off of my pets for no good reason. Especially without anesthesia-----say all you want about neonates not feeling pain, it just gives me the willies. Plus I like how they look

.

britishbandit · 02-12-2008, 09:27 AM

Most working breeds have their dewclaws removed to prevent injury, and I personally prefer they be removed on any breed (if I own them) because of the things I do with my dogs. But I do actually work my dogs, and we go hiking a lot too. If the dog isn't put in situations often that increases the risk of them ripping out or getting damaged, as long as they are kept trimmed they should be ok. I did see a dog at the vet one time who's owner had never trimmed the dewclaws, and the rear ones had grown so long they'd curled around and had penetrated back into the skin and was causing the dog problems.

I just feel it's better safe than sorry. While a fairly painless procedure in newborn pups, if a dewclaw needs to be removed because it's been damaged in adulthood, it's a much more complicated and painful procedure. Because of their location, it's not all that uncommon for them to become snagged on something.

animalcraker · 02-12-2008, 03:03 PM

I agree with British, I prefer them removed if I have a choice. I've seen too many dogs get them damaged or ingrown, and too many owners/pets stresed out trying to trim them. They're always at a funny angle that makes it really difficult to cut compared to the other nails. However it is interesting to note that many standards of working breeds require them (ie. great pyrenese, and beauceron) Yet at my work we've had to completely remove all the dewclaws off of 2 working great pyrenese because they kept getting damaged.

AkiraleShiba · 02-12-2008, 07:57 PM

Thank you all for your answers

Akira uses his dewclaws to rip my skin lol

I hope nothing will happen to his.

lovemygreys · 02-13-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britishbandit

Most working breeds have their dewclaws removed to prevent injury, and I personally prefer they be removed on any breed (if I own them) because of the things I do with my dogs. But I do actually work my dogs, and we go hiking a lot too. If the dog isn't put in situations often that increases the risk of them ripping out or getting damaged, as long as they are kept trimmed they should be ok. I did see a dog at the vet one time who's owner had never trimmed the dewclaws, and the rear ones had grown so long they'd curled around and had penetrated back into the skin and was causing the dog problems.

I just feel it's better safe than sorry. While a fairly painless procedure in newborn pups, if a dewclaw needs to be removed because it's been damaged in adulthood, it's a much more complicated and painful procedure. Because of their location, it's not all that uncommon for them to become snagged on something.

Yep. Totally agree.

AkiraleShiba · 02-13-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudFan

A dremmel tool works wonders for trimming them.

Lol the biggest problem we have trimming them is the Shiba scream lol but we're working on it

AkiraleShiba · 02-14-2008, 07:56 PM

Well his first trimming was with a dremel at the groomer and he was restrained. But we have been clicker and positive reinforcement training Akira and it's gotten really better.

Also since we're moving overseas we are not buying new things since we probably won't be able to bring them to our new appt. So we'll have to use our tool until May