what to do... (should I get the dew claws removed?)

[yesiames]

I just got a cockapoo from a private breeder and realized
that her dew claws were never removed. I'm getting mixed
opinions on what I should do. Some say to get them removed
at 6 months when she should get spayed, others say it's inhumane
and not to get them removed. Any suggestions? And if I should
get them removed, when should I do it? She's only 9 weeks old...

[Cassiepeia]

If you're prepared to keep them trimmed (which is super easy, since you have to trim your dogs other nails in any case) I see no problem in leaving them.

However, they don't do anything that I'm aware of or help the dog in anyway (again...that I'm aware of) so having them removed when she's spayed is no big deal. I've had dogs with and without them and seen no difference in any of them.

For me personally, it all comes down to how willing you are to keep a good eye on them and their length ( if they're too long they can get caught on things and ripped out easily), they won't wear down like all the other claws.

Cass.

[Kymcole25]

We have dogs both with and without dew claws, it dosen't really matter. If you are planning on showing her you might want to think about having them removed. It would be fine to do it when you have her spayed, that way you can get everything done while your pup only goes under once.


Kim

EDIT: i just read that last sentence, and it dosent make much since....sorry

[D.Schäferhund]

hi
i thought that just happens to cats?!?!
Guess I was too naive again....
I would never (unless medical emergency) remove the claws, they give tracktion and they can dig better then....
Oh please don't
Trimming is so easy some dogs don't even need to be trimmed...
Please don't. I really think this is something that shouldn't be done....
for me this is borderline

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Some breeders remove them and some breeds are looked down upon in the show rings for having them but personally I don't see a reason to remove them unless their causing trouble for the dog. jmo

[Mysticwind]

How attached to her feet are they? If they are very loose, I would consider having them removed because they could get caught on something like carpet and get ripped off. If they are attached tight to the foot (like my foster puppy, Artie's) I would leave them. Artie is being neutered next week and I won't be having his removed.

[Cassiepeia]

Originally Posted by D.Schäferhund

hi
i thought that just happens to cats?!?!
Guess I was too naive again....
I would never (unless medical emergency) remove the claws, they give tracktion and they can dig better then....
Oh please don't
Trimming is so easy some dogs don't even need to be trimmed...
Please don't. I really think this is something that shouldn't be done....
for me this is borderline

The dogs not being 'de-clawed' (which is what some people do to cats).

We're talking about the 'dew' claw, which is that extra 'toe' on the front paws.



Cass.

[D.Schäferhund]

ok thanks for clearing that
I was quite shoked for a while....

[Carrie]

If you have no trouble trimming the nail and it's not a super loose dew claw, I'd leave it. If you're not going to be able to keep that nail filed, I'd get it off when neutering. My little Jose has a dew claw on his two front feet. They are so close to his paw and snug against his paw that they are just like the other toes, slightly up higher, of course. They never needed to be removed, but do need trimming along with his other nails. I guess if it were my dog and the dew claw is flappingly loose, I'd get them removed while under the anesthetic for neutering. It won't take but a few days to feel better. And you don't have to worry so much about trimming the nail or having it get caught on brush if you get out in the woods much. If this is a city dog, I wouldn't bother with it.

[chazzysmybaby]

My puppy still has his dew claw and I'm not planning to remove them. They're pretty close to his paw and I think it looksbetter to have 5 fingers.

[yesiames]

Thanks for all the replies guys! We do live in an apartment but since we're always at the park running around, I think I should get them removed. I searched on the internet and read some horrible things of
puppies that had their dew claws caught and torn right off of their
paws... Ahaha I titled this thread "what to dew..." to be corny...
but I guess someone thought it was a typo and changed it...

[Brenda]

We adopted a 2 yr old sheltie in the spring. His dew claws were VERY large and hung loose. Within 2 weeks, my husband saw Bailey sitting on the deck in an unatural position. Upon checking, he found that Bailey had been scratching behind an ear and had gotten the dew claw hung in the long fur, and could not get it loose. It was at that point, we decided to have the claws removed. Our vet wanted him to be brought in 4 times during the next 2 weeks to change the bandages. After 2 weeks, Bailey was healing very well. If I had the decision to make again, I would do the same. His claws were a danger for him because they were so large and loose.

[yesiames]

Awwww I used to have a Sheltie... awww I absolutely love Shelties...
Sunny was the name of my Sheltie... we had to give her away though
when my grandparents moved in with us... I have a soft spot for shelties...

[JAN]

I have a 10wk old german shephard who has very large loose dew claws on her hind legs which we are planning on removing. The vet wants to wait until 4 months old. I need to find out why we must wait that long; seems the younger she is the easier it would be. We are not planning on having her spade anytime soon so including it with that surgery is not an option.

[Cassiepeia]

Hehehe... maybe the 'what to dew' was changed because not everyone pronounces it the same, so they didn't get the joke? LOL *shrugs* I pronounce it sorta like 'jew' but with a hard sounding 'dj' sound. I have no idea how else to describe it.

Cass.