Dew Claw

[Guenola]

I have to schedule Nikita to be spayed and I was wondering about the pros and cons of removing the dew claw.

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Proud Mama of NIKITA
2 years old fawn female
Natural ears, docket tail

 

[brindlemom]

I was wondering this also. Sorry I can't help! Striker's were removed by the time we picked him out at the breeder.


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Cindy
Striker's Mom
7 month old Christmas baby, born 12/25/99. Brindle with white "socks", chest, blaze. Cute as can be!!!

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

Both of my dogs had them removed by the breeder. I believe that the main reason they are removed is to lessen the chance that they get caught on something and get torn.

I know some dogs that still have dew claws and they are fine but my husband used to have a malamute who had troubles with his dew claws when he was older.


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Brutus & Amayas Mom
Brutus 9/23/99 Flashy Fawn
Amaya 3/22/00 Flashy Brindle

 

[Krikkit]

A friend of ours just had her Sheltie de-sexed and the dew claws removed at the same time. It was not a problem

She choose to remove the dew claws as her girl had badly damaged one some months before.

 

[HELENE]

We used to have a Cocker Spanniel,we got him from the SPCA, he had his dew claws still. We had to keep them well clipped as one was deformed and it would keep growing into his leg. I don't know why we didn't get them removed now. (It was about 20 years ago.).

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Sergeant. 6 in October. Light brindle, natural ears. Full of fun.

 

[Sabrina Jay]

Boxer puppies should have their tails docked + dew claws removed when they are 3-5 days old by a vet. It should be the breeders responsiblity to have this done. The vets give *litter discounts* for tails/dewclaws + shots, so there is NO reason for these pups not to be having the procedure done at the proper age. It boils down to the person who had the pups, not wanting to spend the extra money. My vet charges approx $6 per puppy to dock tails and remove dewclaws.

I am seeing more and more boxers without the dewclaws removed. The dewclaws can get *caught* on things and rip.

You need to talk to your vet about removing the dew claws at your dogs age. If her dew claws are *tight*, I would probably leave them. If they are *loose*, then I would probably remove them when she is spayed. Your vet should beable to guide you. Also, at this age, it is considered more of an amputation type procedure.



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Sabrina Jay JeSaJay's Boxers

 

[Jeanne]

I agree that a responsible breeder should have had the dew claws done with tails. It's add very little to the time and cost. I recommend removal for the already listed reasons, plus, the dew claws, due to the way the are placed on the leg, when the dog jumps on you or paws, the claws can have a fairly severe raking action. Unless you are faithful about keeping them trimmed and blunt, they can really tear things up (like your skin).

 

[malinda]

Can someone explain to me what dew claw is? Our puppy did have it done, but I don't think I understand the concept.

Thanks

 

[Alisha Mobley]

My male and one of my females had their dew claws removed at a couple days old. My other female still has hers (1 year old). I prefer them removed for the reasons already listed, but I haven't had any problem with hers. I only put collars on my dogs for walking and remove them as soon as we get home in fear Pru might get caught on one. I plan to breed my dogs and will have the pups dew claws removed at tail docking time. Our vet only charges $1 a pup to dock tails and remove dew claws. I didn't know until now that the dew claws could be removed in an older dog, I will keep that in mind if ever needed for Pru.

 

[Jeanne]

Alisha, that's a really excellent price. I paid $60 for a litter of 7, but my vet does put a stitch and surgical glue on the tail. He also glues closed the dew claw area, so they healed up really fast. I've heard others leave it open, but you would think in that case it would scar badly.