Removing dew claws

[MissTyc]

I've always been "against" removing dew claws, having listened to all the animal welfare reasons against doing it, but I now realised I've never before had a dog with tag with "that type" of dew claw. Mine have always been attached properly, but new dog has hind dew claws that are like a little skin tag with a nail inside - they're barely attached, very vulnerable, and very sensitive already. One of them got a "paper cut" from grass yesterday. The vet took one look and said they'd have to come off while she is being spayed in a few months. His thoughts were that as she is a terrier with an equestrian life planned it was almost inevitable she would get injured/torn/etc and that would be a lot more painful than taking them off pre-emptively.

I'm interested in thoughts and experiences on this, as I realise it's a contentious topic that I actually know nothing about.

 

[BallyJ]

I've always been "against" removing dew claws, having listened to all the animal welfare reasons against doing it, but I now realised I've never before had a dog with tag with "that type" of dew claw. Mine have always been attached properly, but new dog has hind dew claws that are like a little skin tag with a nail inside - they're barely attached, very vulnerable, and very sensitive already. One of them got a "paper cut" from grass yesterday. The vet took one look and said they'd have to come off while she is being spayed in a few months. His thoughts were that as she is a terrier with an equestrian life planned it was almost inevitable she would get injured/torn/etc and that would be a lot more painful than taking them off pre-emptively.

I'm interested in thoughts and experiences on this, as I realise it's a contentious topic that I actually know nothing about.

I have a terrier, who leads a very active equine life. On the third time of her nail being ripped out I had them removed.

I'm so angry that it took this long as I had requested this to be done when she was spayed. She suffered and it wasn't necessary. Her having them removed hasn't affected her at all.

 

[windand rain]

Many moons ago we had the vet to remove back dew claws from a litter of pups they were 4 days old I think working dogs and the only litter we had that were born with them. Honestly done then they recover very quickly and hardly know it has been done. have always left front ones they dont seem to cause as much trouble. I understand it being a bit brutal at that age but I would never have done it myself and it was common to do where as docking I never agreed with sometimes you throw the baby out with the bath water when changing rules

 

[MissTyc]

Thanks, @BallyJ , this is what my vet thinks is in her future if we don't snip them off now. He is a terrier person himself so I am inclined to trust his judgement. It is just the hinds that need removing. The front ones are properly attached.

 

[blackcob]

I think that removal of flappy, vestigial rear dew claws with no boney involvement is a completely different prospect to removing 'proper' front dew claws.

 

[Birker2020]

I've always been "against" removing dew claws, having listened to all the animal welfare reasons against doing it, but I now realised I've never before had a dog with tag with "that type" of dew claw. Mine have always been attached properly, but new dog has hind dew claws that are like a little skin tag with a nail inside - they're barely attached, very vulnerable, and very sensitive already. One of them got a "paper cut" from grass yesterday. The vet took one look and said they'd have to come off while she is being spayed in a few months. His thoughts were that as she is a terrier with an equestrian life planned it was almost inevitable she would get injured/torn/etc and that would be a lot more painful than taking them off pre-emptively.

I'm interested in thoughts and experiences on this, as I realise it's a contentious topic that I actually know nothing about.

My partner had a beagle pup from a foot pack. She had already had her dew claws removed and her ears tatooed but she hadn't grown as much as the rest of the litter and she would have been shot as she was two inches too short at the shoulder to run with the pack. So my partner had her. She was only a couple of months or so old at the time.

Certainly with 250 acres to roam in her 'back garden' as partner worked/lived at equestrian center we were glad she'd had them removed as she was always running in the undergrowth and would have got them caught up for certain. I don't think its a biggie really - removal if they are going to get torn. It's no different to putting a band on a lambs tail for its tail to fall off. And that's done hundreds of times a day and no one ever moans about it.

 

[MissTyc]

Thanks everyone! Makes total sense to me - I feel bad for all the times I was "against" removing them. Like I said, my previous dogs have only ever had attached ones so I could never understand why people were so keen to get them off ... A reminder one shouldn't develop too many opinions about things one knows nothing about!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Years ago we always used to check new born pups (GSD) for rear dew claws and any present were taken off within 2 or 3 days of birth In the last 30 years I never had a pup born with rear dew claws, and it seems they have died out in many lines. I agree with blackcob, rear dew claws are totally different to front ones so if I had a dog where they weren't really well attached I would get them removed.

 

[scats]

When they are flappy, they serve no purpose other than pose risk of injury. I’d remove them. That’s totally different to me than removing ‘attached’ dew claws.

 

[Bellasophia]

interesting info here on dew claws..
https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dogs-dewclaws-dew-claws
..the rear claws are vestigial,no real use and attached by a thin flap of skin,unlike the front dew claws .The link above shows many breeders take off the rear claws when pup is tiny and they offer no further risk re ripping etc.

My first st poodle was docked and had her dew claws removed as a tiny pup..
My last two kept their tails and dew claws.
I love their full tails,but honestly find the dew claws are an issue when deep brushing my dogs..I have to be very careful on the upbrush to avoid the dew claw..I’d not opt to take them off ,but it was definitely easier without them re grooming.

 

[Michen]

Really wished Pepper's breeder had done hers (she has had her tail docked). They are a real PITA and get sore very easily.

 

[Thistle]

Hinds off, fronts on.