Dew Claw Removal

ive recently been researching to get a new pup, and ive learned that allot of reputable breeders get the pups microchipped but havent read anything about the dewclaws getting removed. sometime this summer im getting daisys removed, the nail seems to grow faster then the other nails, and im worried about them getting caught on something. It would have been nice though if they had been removed before i got her.

 

Chinook has his dew claws and Maia does not, and they both came from a breeder. What I was told and read when I did some research, is that if they are not removed when they are very, very young, they will actually attach to the bone (as they should) and then removing them at a later stage is VERY painful and may not heal for sometimes, months, yes months. Maia's breeder told me when I asked her about removing Chinook's who was 6 months at the time, she said to leave them. I just have to be extra careful with them and if I decide on getting him into flyball or agility, to possibly tape them when he is on the course, but to wait and see, but not to remove them at this point.

 

Maybe you posted this out of curiosity for Caliber? LOL You know how Calibers Dew Claws are...but I'll explain for the rest.

Caliber has, what seems like two extra toes on each hind foot, where the normal dew claw would be. They have the pads and everything, and the claw seems to grow the same as the rest. My vet didn't seem taken back by it, so I assume it's not a "freak show" thing They're barely attached, and they flop around as if you just pinned something to his leg lol You can feel that they are attached with nothing more then a thin piece of what feels like cartilage, and skin. Even when you pinch it he doesn't even flinch. The vet said that if I choose to get them removed it shouldn't be difficult at all...which I do plan on sometime(hopefully soon) as summer is coming up and we like our outdoor adventures! I never thought about the tape until you mentioned it, though...that's a good call...I'll have to remember that if we can't get it done by the summer!

I think it's just the breeders preference? Mine said she couldn't bare to give the OK to do that to such a helpless pup...and it doesn't bother Caliber to have them, and it doesn't bother me either, so - whatever!

 

The front dew claws of a mature dog are attached with bone, the rear dew claws are not. Because of that, the rear dew claws are something to be extra careful about as they can easily get caught and torn.

For front dew claws, mainly just be careful if you are doing some activity that is pretty high impact (agility or flyball, etc.). You can purchase skid boots that protect the dew claws and carpal pads, but it is easy enough to make booties out of vet wrap and hockey tape. Gio has his front dew claws and when we competed in flyball I would wrap them with vet wrap and secure it in place with hockey tape. Worked like a charm.

 

If the breeder is showing conformation, the rears are always removed. You can not show a dog in conformation with rear dews, so any conformation breeder would automatically want them removed.
It doesn't neccessarily mean that a breeder is a bad breeder for not having them removed, but it does say they don't show conformation, and are probably just a pet breeder.
Tara, it sounds like yours has what are called double dews. Be careful with those.... more chance on getting them hooked on something.
I was lucky with my most recent litter. I ended up with 4 pups- 2 had rear dew claws, 2 had NO rear dew claws at all. I just went and had the vet remove 'em at 3 days old. It really is not a big deal having them removed off the pups at birth. My babies didn't seem to mind. That pretty much is the standard for show breeders- either have the vet remove them at 3 days, or if they're skilled at doing it, removing them themselves at birth. They just go ahead and pop them off with the hemostats and the pups are none the worse for it. I never do them myself since I don't feel skilled enough to do it :x But yeah, you want, if possible to remove them young.

 

Our Fox had dewclaws and they were removed when he got neutered. He was a back yard breeder puppy