Do German Shepherds Have Dew Claws? Exploring the Facts and Options

German Shepherds are born with dew claws, also known as baby claws or vestigial claws, which are small, non-weight-bearing claws that remain on the front and back legs.

These dew claws are usually removed by breeders or veterinarians shortly after birth to prevent injuries and health issues.

In fact, many breeders and veterinarians recommend removing dew claws to prevent them from growing into the surrounding tissue and causing problems.

Some breeders and owners opt to leave the dew claws intact, citing the potential benefits for the dog's balance and traction, but this is not a standard practice in the German Shepherd breed.

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German Shepherds are prone to paw sensitivity due to running on hard or hot surfaces, unclipped fur between the toe pads, and overgrown, painful nails. Regularly inspecting your dog's paws is a must to prevent these issues.

You can prevent paw sensitivity by taking simple precautions, such as clipping the fur between the toe pads and trimming the nails. This will help alert you to any potential problems before they become serious.

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German Shepherds can be stoic, hiding any pain or discomfort, so it's up to you to stay alert to problems. This means regularly checking for burs, impacted sharp objects, cuts, sores, or splinters.

Rear dew claws, found on the back feet of some breeds, do not touch the ground and are usually only attached by skin. They are more common in certain herding, watchdog, and livestock guardian breeds, such as briards and great Pyrenees.

Here are some tips for caring for your German Shepherd's dew claws:

Removing dew claws from German Shepherd puppies was once a common practice, done for three main reasons. This procedure has been a topic of debate among breeders and veterinarians.

In theory, removing dew claws in puppyhood can be no more painful than other minor surgical procedures, but it's not entirely pain-free. Surgical procedures always involve some amount of pain, no matter how careful the surgeon is.

Removing dew claws can cause arthritis issues later in life, especially in the carpal tunnel joint, which can lead to foot and gait problems. This can handicap your dog and be considered cruel.

Removing a puppy's dew claws can be a sensitive topic, and it's essential to understand the reasons behind this practice.

In the past, breeders removed dew claws from German Shepherd puppies due to three main reasons.

This practice is still common in some breeds, but not all. The breed standard requires it for German Shepherd dogs, specifically for dew claws on the hind paws.

Removing dew claws in puppyhood can be no more painful than other minor surgical procedures, as long as the breeder or veterinarian uses anesthetic and prevents infection.

However, waiting until the dog is older to remove the dew claws can be more painful and even more dangerous due to the risk of infection.

The dew claw plays a crucial role in a dog's balance and gait, and its removal can lead to arthritis issues later in life, especially in the carpal tunnel joint.

Removing the dew claw could cause arthritis later on, as it alters the dog's front foot and may increase the likelihood of arthritis or pain later in life. Some dogs who have their dew claws removed will never get arthritis, but others may still develop painful joints as seniors.

The dew claws are attached by bone and tendon to the front paws and have a definite purpose, making their removal a consideration for dog owners. My weimaraner is 7 years old and has lived an extremely active life without his dew claws, and he shows no signs of arthritis or pain anywhere in his body.

However, some dogs who have retained their dew claws may still develop arthritis or pain in their joints. My Lab mix Ace had front dew claws and developed pain in his joints around age 5 or 6, and it got worse as he got older.

The dew claws are just one factor in addition to genetics, weight, health, breed, and lifestyle that can contribute to arthritis in dogs.

For German Shepherd dogs, the breed standard requires dew claws on the hind paws.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) GSD breed standard is a good resource to check for this requirement.

Not all breeds require dew claws, and it varies from one breed to the next.

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The breed standard can significantly impact a breeder's decisions, as seen in German Shepherd breeding. For this breed, the American Kennel Club (AKC) GSD breed standard requires dew claws to be removed from the hind paws. The breed standard varies greatly from one breed to the next, so it's essential to check the specific requirements for each breed.

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Not all dew claws are formed equally, which is a common misconception.

One kind of dew claw has bone and skin and is attached to the rest of the bones in your dog's foot.

The second kind may be missing the bone and simply be a flap of skin, or it may be more loosely attached to the rest of your dog's leg.

It's essential to understand the difference between these two types to make informed decisions about your dog's health.

Your German Shepherd's dew claws are a unique feature that can vary from dog to dog. Some have them on all four ankles, while others only have them on the front ankles.

German Shepherds that have dew claws on their hind legs often have double or even triple dew claws. This is due to genetics, which can affect the number of dew claws a dog has.

The dew claw's position on a dog's ankle is high enough to get wet in the morning dew. This is how it got its name.

Not all German Shepherds are born with dew claws. Some have had them removed through surgery. Breeders and owners have differing opinions on this issue, leading to frequent arguments.

Some German Shepherds carry the genes for all four dew claws, while others only carry the genes to produce two. This genetic variation affects the number of dew claws a dog has.

Dewclaws are small "toes" with a nail that are slightly up the leg, above their paw. Some dogs have front dewclaws, some have rear dewclaws, and some have both.

They can be thought of as "extra parts" like the appendix, being a toe that is too high off the ground to really do anything except be a pain to trim.

Regular nail trims are a must for your dog's overall health and comfort. You should regularly check and trim your dog's dew claws, just like all of their other nails.

Handling your dog's paws and nails from a young age can make nail trims easier. Spend some time each day gently touching and handling your dog's paws and nails so they can get used to you touching their feet.

Dogs have a unique feature on their front paws called dew claws, which are attached to the foot with bone and tendon and can help with gripping.

Dew claws are often referred to as a dog's "thumb", although they don't work as well as our thumbs.

Most dogs have four regular toes on each front paw, and the dew claw is located above them, near the carpal pad on the wrist.

The dew claw is a distinctive feature that can be easily seen on a dog's paw, and it's worth noting that it doesn't touch the ground while the dog is standing.

Rear dew claws in dogs are more common in certain breeds such as briards, Beaucerons, and great Pyrenees.

Some dog breeds, including German shepherds, may also have rear dew claws.

Rear dew claws are usually only attached by skin – not by bone and tendon.

They don't touch the ground like regular claws do.

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Dogs have a unique dental structure. Most dogs have 42 permanent teeth, which start coming in when they're about 4-6 months old.

As they grow, their baby teeth will fall out to make room for these permanent ones. Some breeds have slightly fewer teeth, but 42 is the average number for most adult dogs.

Spaying or neutering a dog is a big decision, and it's essential to consider the best age to do it.

The ideal age to spay or neuter a dog is a topic of debate among veterinarians, but some research suggests that waiting until your dog is a bit older can be beneficial.

Spaying or neutering too early can increase the risk of certain health problems, such as hip dysplasia and certain types of cancer.

If you're looking for a specific age range, many veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering between 6 to 12 months of age.

However, some breeders and veterinarians believe that waiting until your dog is a bit older, around 1 to 2 years of age, can be a better option.

If you choose to spay or neuter your dog, it should be done under anesthesia by a veterinarian, similar to the procedure for removing dew claws.