Dewclaws - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

JE-UK · 11-01-2011, 02:04 AM

It is a performance topic, I promise!

The issue of dewclaws comes up pretty regularly. My dog's were removed before I got him, so I had no input, but I would not choose to remove them given a choice in the matter.

Many people feel it's best to remove them to avoid any potential future injury, while seeing little functional use to them.

There is a good article here by an orthopedic vet, explaining potential function: http://www.caninesports.com/DewClawExplanation.pdf.

No idea if this is substantiated by other vets, but it is interesting, the correlation between arthritis in her patients and absence of dewclaws.

Fluffyspoos · 11-01-2011, 06:35 AM

Just from a groomers standpoint.. although they're regularly removed, I'd say that in the US I groom far more dogs with them than without them. Owners with dogs with dewclaws are constantly asking me to get them as close as possible, because those are often the nails scratching them and their kids; or getting caught in the dogs own eye sockets, or overgrowing and turning back into the paws.

To me, the risk of arthritis is far lower than the every day risk that the dewclaws impose by being there.

ArreauStandardPoodle · 11-01-2011, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffyspoos

Just from a groomers standpoint.. although they're regularly removed, I'd say that in the US I groom far more dogs with them than without them. Owners with dogs with dewclaws are constantly asking me to get them as close as possible, because those are often the nails scratching them and their kids; or getting caught in the dogs own eye sockets, or overgrowing and turning back into the paws.

To me, the risk of arthritis is far lower than the every day risk that the dewclaws impose by being there.

I agree! They are a nuisance, they are a risk and I will always remove the dews on my pups.

Apres Argent · 11-01-2011, 08:53 AM

I may be in the minority but I am leaving dew claws. I hope someone else pops up and posts some interesting video of dew claws in use. It is amazing and changed my mind about dew claw removal. Helen are you here???????

JE-UK · 11-02-2011, 12:24 AM

I know opinions differ on dewclaws, but it's definitely something to think about with a pup intended for dog sports.

I'd like to see video too! I've seen some stills, but good slo-mo would be VERY interesting.

fjm · 11-02-2011, 02:28 AM

Sophy has dew claws, Poppy hasn't. I am amazed at how much Sophy uses hers, for gripping, face cleaning, tight turns when running, etc.

Jility · 11-02-2011, 04:12 PM

Dew claws are extremely important and useful to our dogs (front dew claws that is). They are attached by tendons and when you remove them, those tendons atrophy and the leg can become unstable and more prone to injuries.
Dogs injure other toes as often as dew claws but we do not remove them prophylactically. It just doesn't make any sense to me to cut off body parts for the sake of convenience.
I do not believe in docking tails either. I have not for many years. Dogs use their tails! They use them for balance and for communication. There are some new studies showing a correlation between spinal cord (and its tributaries) insult and immune issues. With all the diseases and cancer in our dogs, the last thing I would want to do would be to compromise my dog's immune system by lopping off the tail for fashion or the show ring or convenience.
Here is a link to a paper written by Dr. Chris Zink on removing dew claws. She is a veterinarian who specializes in sports medicine for dogs.
[URL="http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/documents/dewclaws-injury.pdf"]http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/documents/dewclaws-injury.pdf

Apres Argent · 11-02-2011, 04:38 PM

Thanks Helen for joining in! Do you have
video that shows them using the dew claws?

Jility · 11-02-2011, 04:46 PM

Here you go!
http://www.jility.com/files/Pastern_Bend.wmv

outwest · 11-04-2011, 11:14 AM

My dog has dewclaws. Her breeder believed they were important for movement somehow and holding bones. She always leaves them. I hate them. She used to scratch me with them all the time, but seems to have learned how not to now. I have seen her stabilize a bone with them (hers are usable and attached, not floppy). Even so, I wish they had been removed. She doesn't have any on the rear, just the front.