Dew Claws?

[captainjack]

I had an experienced field trialer from the states who is purchasing a pup ask that I do not remove the dew claws from his female puppy. I also talked to another who said that in the future he will not have his pups' dew claws removed.
It has to be more than just needing them for grooming. What are the recent concerns regarding dew claws and do these concerns out weigh the concern that these claws can be torn during upland hunting?

Peter

[Drew Good]

Hey Peter,

I cannot remember who told me but apperently there is some canine sports expert out there that has documented that these dogs use their dew claws. Sorry I do not have a link or anything to prove or dis-prove this, maybe someone else can chime in on this one..

Drew

[Wildcard]

I'm sure not an expert, but dogs do use their dew claws. Schutzhund trainers usually leave them on. They say they use them to grip with when climbing embankments or when on icy surfaces. I have personally never had a dog rip his dew claws, but they do need to have the nails cut periodically as they don't hit the surface and grind down like the other claws do. That's the extent of my experience with them.

Jill

[kinderdoggin]

http://jandemellobordercollie.com/DewClaws.htm

and

http://www.caninesports.com/DewClawExplanation.pdf

[deb]

Not only do they use them for griping and turning but there are also less lower limb injuries when left on. As well they can also get phantom limb sydrome when they are removed, hence paw licking. I no longer remove them.
deb

[flatlands]

Peter-- the puppy buyer who asked you to leave dewclaws on went to a seminar where the rehab expert was adamant that performance dogs use their dewclaws while running\turning & also that removing the dewclae detaches a tendon to that claw, which destabilizes the wrist.

This is the talk of the day down here & has everyone reconsidering this issue, especially since we tend to have lots of unexplained front limb lameness in our game, & actually a very tiny % of torn dewclaws.

I know it's too late for you now (what did you decide?), but I think it's worth exploring. There was a brief thread on this awhie back on RTF as well.

BTW, Peter, I think you should pay for Blakey's Mexican dinner.

Connie

[captainjack]

Hi Connie, I went to the site posted here and it has information on this. The one thing that you said that catches my eye....the talk of the day. You are right Charlie did go to that seminar. I find it interesting that the thought is that there are more sore front limbs than torn dew claws. This could be for 2 reasons 1. people have been removing dew claws thus the reason for less torn dew claws. 2. sore limbs due to the strain that we put on these athletes ie rough terrain, extremely long runs, etc.. I wonder how much has been with turning.
Just some thoughts to consider.

Regarding the Mexican dinner. I will host it at my place if he run Long Point. I got a can of kidney beans or if he prefers, baked beans. I have never eaten a Mexican dinner that I enjoyed. But Jim go for it America needs the gas.

Peter