Great Pyrenees Dewclaws: Care, Issues, and Removal Options

The Great Pyrenees dewclaws - a topic that's often debated among dog owners. Typically, Great Pyrenees dewclaws are left intact, but some owners choose to remove them.

Great Pyrenees dewclaws can be prone to health issues if not properly cared for. Infections are a common problem, especially if the dewclaws are not kept clean.

Removing dewclaws can be a surgical procedure, and it's essential to consider the risks and benefits before making a decision.

Dewclaws are essentially extra toes that most dogs have on their front feet, and some have on their back feet as well.

Some dogs, like Great Pyrenees, have double dewclaws on their back feet, which are attached to the body through bone.

These extra toes don't touch the ground while a dog is standing up, and they're meant to be there for certain breeds like Great Pyrenees.

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A dewclaw is the extra toe that is found on the inside of a dog's front leg. It's a completely normal digit with three bones, two joints, and a nail.

Dewclaws correspond in position to the thumb in humans, except without quite the same mobility or uses. This unique position makes dewclaws a distinctive feature of a dog's anatomy.

Some breeds, like the Pyrenean Mountain Dog or Briard, have hind dewclaws that are part of the breed standard.

The dewclaw is the toe and nail that sits a little higher up the leg than the rest of your dog's toes.

Some dogs have dewclaws on their rear feet, and certain breeds like the Great Pyrenees have double dewclaws, meaning you'll see two digits (and two nails) in the dewclaw spot.

The dewclaw is similar in position to the human thumb on a hand.

Dogs with dewclaws can still live happy and healthy lives, but it's worth considering their potential impact on your dog's daily activities and overall well-being.

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Dewclaws are a common concern for many Great Pyrenees owners, and for good reason. Dewclaws can cause problems if not properly cared for.

If you don't trim your Great Pyrenees' dewclaws regularly, they can become overgrown and curve into the skin of the paw pad, leading to pain and infection. This is especially true if your dog likes to run and play, as their dewclaws can get caught on objects like rocks and plants.

Regular nail trimming can help prevent these issues, so be sure to check your dog's nails frequently and trim them as needed.

Dewclaws often cause no problems for dogs and cats, but there are situations when nail problems occur.

Most commonly, dewclaws may grow too long, curve, and grow into the skin of the paw pad, leading to pain, inflammation, and infection.

Dewclaws may get caught on objects like rocks, plants, and bedding, especially if the nails are too long. This is more common in dogs and may occur while they are running and playing.

If a toenail gets caught on something, it may tear the nail or even fracture the toe. Detached dewclaws are more likely to snag on something and cause injury because the digit has no motor function and hangs freely.

Checking the nails regularly and trimming the nails as needed can help avoid most dewclaw problems.

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Broken dewclaws can be a real pain, but knowing how to handle them can make all the difference. If your dog's dewclaw breaks, it's likely to bleed if the quick is exposed, which can happen if you trim too far down the nail.

Cornstarch is a good thing to have on hand to stop the bleeding temporarily. It's a crude hemostatic agent, which means it'll do the trick until you can get your dog to a vet. If your dog's nail is fractured or the bleeding continues, it's best to see a veterinarian.

Removing dewclaws is a surgical procedure that's painful and invasive, requiring a veterinarian to cut through many layers of tissue, including nerve tissue. This can be a significant health risk for your dog.

Some breeders remove dewclaws to give their dogs a "cleaner" look overall, or to hide the fact that their Great Pyrenees might not be purebred if they only have single dewclaws. However, healthy, bony dewclaws present almost no health risks to your dog.

There are some instances where dewclaws should be removed, such as if they're causing problems or if your dog has medical issues that make it difficult for them to wear down their dewclaws naturally.

Here are some reasons why dewclaws might need to be removed:

Some breeders choose to remove dewclaws to hide the fact that a Great Pyrenees might not be purebred if they only have single dewclaws.

Breeders may also remove dewclaws to give the dog a "cleaner" look overall.

Dog owners are often pressured by buyers who complain if their dog's dewclaws remain intact.

Healthy, bony dewclaws present almost no health risks to your dog.

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Dewclaws can break or split for a few reasons. Most urban dogs don't run enough to wear down their dewclaws, which can lead to a long, curved nail that easily catches on things.

A lack of suitable spaces to run can contribute to this problem, as can a lack of owner time to get their dogs exercising. Medical reasons like arthritis or being overweight can also make it difficult for dogs to wear down their dewclaws.

Not enough bodyweight to wear the nail down is another reason why dewclaws can break or split. Some dogs just don't want to run, which can also lead to this issue.

Here are some possible outcomes when a dewclaw breaks or splits:

Removing dewclaws can be a topic of debate, but the truth is that healthy, bony dewclaws present almost no health risks to your dog.

Some breeders choose to remove dewclaws to give the dog a "cleaner" look overall, or to hide the fact that the Great Pyrenees might not be purebred if they only have single dewclaws.

However, surgery to remove a dewclaw is painful and invasive, requiring a veterinarian to cut through many layers of tissue, including nerve tissue.

In fact, the UKC agrees that a lack of double dewclaws means a Great Pyrenees is not purebred.

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Monitoring and trimming dewclaws regularly is essential to prevent overgrowth. Dewclaws can become overgrown because they don't touch the ground like other nails do.

Dewclaws should be checked often to catch any potential problems. Most dewclaw problems can be avoided by trimming the nails as needed.

Trimming dewclaws requires attention to detail, especially if you have a dog that's prone to overgrowth. The dewclaws should be monitored and trimmed more often than other nails.

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It's crucial to learn how to trim dog nails and cat nails properly to keep your pet's nails healthy. Trimming your pet's nails can be a challenge, but it's a necessary task for their overall health.

Trimming dewclaws can help prevent them from growing into the skin of the paw pad, which can lead to pain and infection. Regular trimming can also prevent dewclaws from getting caught on objects and causing injury.

Surgery to remove a dewclaw is painful and invasive, and it's not usually necessary unless there's a problem with the dewclaw. Removal of a bony dewclaw requires a veterinarian to cut through many layers of tissue, including nerve tissue.

Dewclaws are an important part of your Great Pyrenees' anatomy, and it's essential to understand how to care for them properly.

Dewclaws can grow too long if not monitored regularly, which can lead to problems like pain, inflammation, and infection.

You should trim your Great Pyrenees' dewclaws as needed, just like you would their other nails.

Dewclaws can get caught on objects like rocks, plants, and bedding, especially if they're too long, which can cause injury.

Regular nail checks can help prevent dewclaw problems.

Most dewclaw problems can be avoided by keeping your Great Pyrenees' nails healthy and trimmed.