Why Remove Dew Claws On Lab Puppies

In some breeds, dog dewclaws may be removed to give the leg a smoother look. The risk of dewclaw injury also may prompt dewclaw removal. Dewclaws are unnecessary toes on the backs of dogs’ legs. If you purchased a puppy from a reputable breeder, dewclaw removal may have been done when the dog was three […]

Why remove dew claws on lab puppies. Q. I know that some breeders remove dewclaws on puppies, and others leave them. Is there a good reason to have this procedure done on our new puppy? A. Dewclaws are the canine digit that’s the equivalent of the human thumb, although “equivalent” is pushing that word to the limits of its definition. Dew Claws: Why we don’t remove them. January 4, 2018 October 2, 2018 Must Love Labradors At MN Labradors, we have chosen to leave dew claws in tact on our puppies. Why Dew Claws Might Need To Be Removed. Rest assured that most dogs with dew claws do just fine without having to remove the dewclaws. But sometimes the dew claws are not “properly attached”. They may also “dangle” or “hang”, or just get in the way during the normal course of playing and walking. Granted, removal of dew claws in puppies is a lot less complex than it is in adult dogs, but it’s still going to require surgery done under anesthesia. With puppies, it’s done when the bones and tissue are still soft, so it’s easier.. When it comes right down to it, though, the decision to remove dew claws is up to you. It probably won.

Dew claws are frequently removed by breeders when the puppies are between two and five days old. This is often done to conform with breed standards, and consequently, dew claw removal is quite a controversial issue, for as with tail docking, many believe that the dog should be left unaltered as painful dew claw surgery is unnecessary, and is. The fact is that dew claws on the front legs are attached to functioning tendons. The tendons are attached to muscles. So, if you remove the dew claws, there will be muscles in your dog’s legs that will atrophy due to lack of use. The dew claws actually work to prevent excessive torque on the leg. Lab Chat; Why I will never remove dew claws from my puppies.... Page 1 of 4 1 2 3... Last. Jump to page:. Why I will never remove dew claws from my puppies.... Dew Claws Do Have a Purpose! - YouTube. I do not remove dew claws either. I feel it is barbaric. I certainly would not want my thumbs cut off. Why Is It Called a Dewclaw? Think about grass with drops of dew on top: As a dog prances through the field, the claw higher up on the leg catches the dew on the top of the blades of grass — thus the term “dewclaw.” Front and Rear Dewclaws. Front dewclaws: All dogs are born with a dewclaw on each front leg.

Even my show dogs have their dew claws, so I don’t even do it for “cosmetic reasons”, as God did intend this claw to be there…we don’t just remove it unless a particular dog has some kind of problem with its dew claws. The dew claw is a dog’s thumb. Watch one play with a toy or chew a bone sometimes, they use it all the time, it is. I just had someone ask me if we remove dew claws on our dogs. I haven’t had anyone ask me that in a very long time. The answer is no. We did them on litters up until sometime around 2002, when other breeders were already starting to stop removing them. My vet taught me how to do the removal myself. I think she had a reason. Dew claws are more common on the front paws than the back, but this many have them on both. Some may even have two dew claws on the one paw, making them double dewclawed. With breeding and cross breeding, different dewclaws act in different ways. Some will touch the ground as they walk, others will dangle in the air like keys from a belt. If the claws are not removed at this age, most experts suggest waiting until the dog is spayed/neutered to have them removed. Dew claws can be removed in older dogs but it is a more costly and painful procedure. Many vets will only remove dew claws in adult dogs for medical, rather than cosmetic, reasons.

Usually the dewclaws are removed when puppies are only a few days old.. While painful, it's not an especially traumatic event, as it would be later in life. For dogs that do the dew, it's important to trim the claws regularly to help prevent tearing and the possibility of the dewclaw growing into the footpad. Removal of dew claws can cause carpal arthritis and injuries to other joints. 2. Useful during movement. The dew claws offer extra support to your Lab’s legs when your dog needs to turn quickly while running at a high speed. Those dew claws provide balance while your Lab is running and keeps the wrist joints stable. 3. Helpful in holding objects Dew claws can be removed in older dogs but it is a more costly and painful procedure. Many vets will only remove dew claws in adult dogs for medical, rather than cosmetic, reasons. If you have an older dog, contact your veterinarian to discuss the reasons for or against removal of the dew claws and the cost of the procedure which must be done. It is more common for veterinarians to remove loosely attached double or rear dewclaws to prevent injury. The actual incidence of these types of injuries is still quite low, so the value of these surgeries is up for debate. Typically the surgery is scheduled at the same time the dog is being spayed or neutered (while it is anesthetized).