Dew/fore claw removal

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betsyboop

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I have a litter of pointers due in a couple of weeks and can't decide what to do about the dew claws. I've always had dogs without before but my present bitch has hers on and hasn't had a problem so far. Do they really cause a problem? They look like trouble to me and I wish she didn't have them but I understand it is quite distressing for the pups when having them removed. At the vet practice I use, and am generally happy with, only one of the three vets there will do it when they are 3 days old. I'm hoping to have a go at trials with the new pup and pointers on heather seems a bit ominous.

Whats the general oppinion out there?
 
if you do a search this was discussed a few days ago. personally i definately prefer the back ones off as have had problems with previous dog and had to have them removed due to injury when she was adult
 
Ouch, poor boy, yes gut instinct tells me off. The vet who is happy to do it I trust and if he does it I'm sure he has given it a lot of thought. Thanks
 
For GSPs I always had them off, then I had a German import dog with them on and no problems. He is now 12. The late Ann Gill of Birkenwald told me that whilst she docked she never removed the dew claws on her intrinsically German bred dogs as she felt the cartilage that attached them was stronger than in the English lines and therefore less likely to rip and cause problems.

Removing them at less than 3 days generally provokes no/little reaction as the cartilage is still soft. IMO - if you are going to do it - the earlier it is done the better.
 
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