![]() ![]() Other times, typically on the back paws, dew claws are attached rather weakly by skin and tissue. ![]() In some cases, generally in the front paws, dew claws firmly attached by tendons and ligaments to the bone structure of the rest of the paw. ![]() They are located on the inner portion of your dog’s foot, slightly higher than the other claws. Let’s dig in and learn about the dew claw!ĭew claws are essentially the thumbs on your pup’s paws. We’ll talk about its functions, its drawbacks, and a few different ideas on how to deal with this little digit. In this article, we’re going to demystify the dew claw. “Trim it just enough so your finger does not get hooked and slides easily off the nail.Does your dog have a dew claw? Do they have a full set? If you’ve never considered it, how can you check? And more importantly, what should you do about it? “Since dewclaws may be hidden under your dog’s coat and be hard to see, you can run your finger under the nail to test if it catches on your finger,” says Dr. And since dewclaws don’t regularly touch the ground and get worn down, they may grow faster than a dog’s other nails. If dewclaws do get snagged, it can be quite painful for the dog. R egular trimming prevents snagging and breaking, also preventing nails from curling around and growing into the foot. Like toenails, dewclaws should be trimmed periodically. The rule of thumb is to care for your dog’s dewclaws the way you would for any other nail. Becker says that breeds like Whippets and Border Collies, who are known for being particularly fast, use their dewclaws to help them quickly navigate corners. “Dogs doing agility may grasp the sides of the teeter with their dewclaws to steady themselves,” says Dr. Interestingly, wolves and other wild canids do not normally have these extra digits unless their ancestors were cross-bred with dogs.ĭewclaws are also convenient in dog sports. The Briard and the Beauceron are known for their dual herding and guarding purposes, so the double dewclaws might also help them chase sheep-steeling predators over rough terrain. In the Great Pyrenees, these may function as a brake of sorts since they often raced down mountainsides chasing wolves away from flocks of livestock. Some herding breeds or guarding breeds have double dewclaws on their hind legs. Helping a dog scramble up or down rocky, steep terrain.Adding grip and stability on slippery surfaces such as ice or when climbing out of water.Providing extra traction and stabilizing the (carpal) wrist joint when dogs turn at high speeds.Helping a dog grip a bone or toy between their front legs.Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC. “There are a variety of ways dewclaws may help a dog accomplish different tasks,” says Dr. Some experts differentiate between dewclaws attached by bone versus floppier ones attached only by loose skin to try to distinguish why they’re there in the first place. Why Do Dogs Have Dewclaws?Įxperts have disagreed about the exact purpose of dewclaws on dogs. Depending on the breed, the double dewclaw may even be considered part of the breed standard. Certain breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees, Briard, Beauceron, and Icelandic Sheepdog, are known for having these rear double dewclaws.
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