Harvey is the only one with dew claws and full tail and he has had awfull injuries to his very painfull thing. Now the one that has had the most injuries doesnt lie flat it sticks out so more prone to being caught.

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I can in all honesty say the one of mine that has his dew claws doesnt fair any better holding things than the oned with out, maybe if he had them removed now and its a possibility then he might not do as well maybe the others are just not used to having them.

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Thirsty dog, or chew toy? | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
this Engl-Bull M is pinning the bottle with his right-fore dewclaw in a groove, so that he can chew on the elevated cap -
and BTW i disagree with the website about thin, brittle plastic-bottles like this one, as 'home-made toys'.
sturdy bottles with more-flexible plastic like gallon cider-jugs or milk-jugs are OK for SOME dogs, under supervision.

New Toys | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
this F GSD-x uses her right-fore to pin the toy against her left, and her left-fore dewclaw is pinning the fabric to the floor.

http://findavet.us/blog/wp-content/u...ewing-bone.jpg
this pup just 'happens' to have this pressed-rawhide bone slanted between the inner-toes and the dewclaws
on both forefeet. i'm sure it's an accident...

http://www.crestock.com/images/50000.../509736-xs.jpg
pup chewing an extension cord, which again just happens to be held in the slot between his inner-toes and fore-dews.

Google Image Result for http://www.pawsitive-dogtraining.com/images/dog_chewing_on_heels_8rb4.jpg
this Boxer-X has all 4 toes of his right-fore pushing the shoe into the floor, and the edge of the pump just happens
to be against his dewclaw, while he gnaws on the heel-cup.

Google Image Result for http://www.sassymuttsdogtraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Dog_Chewing_Furniture.jpg
things that stick-out or stand-up do not need to be 'pinned' or braced for gnawing, to get them into a nice angle
for the pre-molars + molars. instead the dog tilts their head to a convenient angle, and chews the rigid item.

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terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

interesting thread!
just checked Molly, my foster collie x bull terrier. she has front dews intact but no back ones present!?????

i remember vividly having to take a litter of springer spaniels to the vet to be docked and dew clawed many years ago. long before animal welfare issues came to the fore. i had the unfortunate experience of witnessing 8 x 2 day old pups wriggling, squealing, and crying in agony whilst the procedure was performed without any anaesthetic. it was normal practise back then for that particular breed. but it was a practise i was to witness once....and have nothing more to do with. even then,,,i thought it was barbaric!!!

in england it is now illegal to do it unless the dog is to work!!!!


how can you judge at 2 - 3 days old that a dog will mature enough to be able to work? i have had many so called 'show dogs' who never went near a show ring because they didnt make the grade and likewise many 'working strain' springers who just werent interested in the work aspect of being such a dog.

i have also witnessed the very real pain a dog can suffer if an injury to a dew claw and tail occurs.

i think a far more realistic approach would be to put a 6 month minimum age on docking and dew claw removal. at least by this age the dog has matured enough to be able to make a calculated assessment on its potential abilities for work. the procedures can then safely be undertaken under general anaesthetic if necessary without too much risk to the dog.
~J~M~O~

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All posts are my personal opinions based on the knowledge and experience I have and should not be associated with any organisations I may be a member of



ZACK (1993-2007)
forever in sunshine

I must say that i am kind of in two minds about this, all my dogs have got their front dew claws, and Riley has torn hers twice and had to have it ripped off, but has grown back. However, i feel its just like when you trap your finger in a door ect, your nail comes off.

Only the other day was my sister saying that she wished her dog (saffy) and italian greyhound had NOT had her dew claws removed as a pup, as she struggles to hold chews ect, and that it frustrates her dog. I feel personally for the average pet they are there for a reason. I can't comment on working dogs as i don't own one.

LNM, not to worry -
many dog-breeds or mixed-breeds have no rear-dews, that's normal - DOUBLE-rear-dews are unusual,
but normal - single rear-dews are less common than 'none'.
so 4 toes rear = most common
5 toes rear [1 dew] = less common
7 toes rear [2 dews] = rarest

5 toes fore [1 dew] = normal foreleg digits.

i read a recent article about Italian wolves found with REAR dewclaws -
they found gene-markers for dom-dogs in them, they were removed from the wild to prevent breeding.
[i HOPE they were not euthed - personally, i'd have released them after sterilizing; desexed young wolves
can still be aunties/uncles, feed and mind pups, help hunt, etc.]
- terry

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terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

I have not read the whole thread but having just watched that video I am shocked and disgusted that this torture of puppies is allowed in the so called civilised world.

The poor pup is obviously in pain and is distressed. IMHO it is torture and it should be banned or at least done under anaesthetic if the practice is to be continued.

Just hideous

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