Rear Dew Claws on Dogs Breeds: Everything You Need to Know

Some dog breeds have their rear dew claws removed surgically, a practice that's been debated among veterinarians and dog owners. This is often done to prevent the claw from getting caught on something and causing injury.

Many breeds, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, have their rear dew claws removed at a young age, usually within the first few weeks of life. This is because their short legs and compact bodies make them more prone to claw-related injuries.

Some breeds, like Great Danes and German Shepherds, naturally have their rear dew claws removed due to their large size and athletic build. In these cases, the dew claw is often not present at birth.

Removing the rear dew claw can be a painful experience for dogs, especially if it's done without proper anesthesia.

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Many breeds have rear dewclaws, which provide them with additional stability and traction in their respective roles. The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard, and Norwegian Lundehund are just a few examples of breeds that often have rear dewclaws.

These breeds often originated from mountainous regions, where they faced rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions. Their rear dewclaws may have helped them navigate challenging landscapes with ease.

Some breeds, like the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Beauceron, and Briard, have double hind dewclaws, which are positioned lower down the leg. This unique feature aids in distributing the dog's weight, particularly useful in snowy or icy conditions.

The Norwegian Lundehund, with its six toes per foot, including double pairs of hind dewclaws, is a breed like no other, specialized for navigating rugged terrain and hunting puffins along Norway's coastal cliffs.

The Catalan Sheepdog, a versatile herding breed, often has rear dewclaws, which aid them in their role as agile herders in rugged terrain.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a majestic breed with a rich history. Originating from Turkey, this formidable guardian of livestock has been bred for thousands of years to protect against fearsome predators.

These dogs are often described as larger-than-life, standing up to 29 inches at the shoulder and weighing over 100 pounds. They have a dense undercoat that allows them to handle cold weather with ease.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog almost always has a double set of hind dewclaws, which provide additional stability and traction in challenging terrain. Some Anatolians even have a double rear dewclaw look.

Courage comes naturally to this breed, but it can also make them independent and always on watch against perceived threats. This means they require experienced owners devoted to early and ongoing obedience training and socialization.

These dogs are great with children and other animals, but they can also fight their owners over dominance by ignoring commands. With proper training and socialization, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog can make a loyal and loving companion.

The Norwegian Lundehund is a breed like no other, renowned for its extraordinary toe count and structure. With at least six toes per foot, these dogs are specialized for navigating rugged terrain.

Their unique toe structure is also accompanied by double pairs of hind limb dewclaws. This adaptation is a key feature of their puffin hunting abilities.

These dogs are found in Norway, where they were bred to hunt puffins along the country's coastal cliffs.

The Great Dane is a large breed that's often lanky and surprisingly fast. They're known to have front dewclaws, but some individuals may have them on their hind legs as well.

Unfortunately, Great Danes' rear dewclaws are usually only attached by the skin and may need to be removed. This is a common issue with the breed.

As a gentle giant, the Great Dane is a friendly and loyal companion that's great with kids.

The Golden Retriever is an uncommon breed that can have rear dewclaws, although many breeders remove them due to the risk of snagging and injury.

Keeping your Golden Retriever's nails trimmed is a must, as it's essential for their overall health and well-being.

The Golden Retriever is an extremely easy breed to train, making it a great match for busy families who want a gentle and playful companion.

They're often used as seeing-eye pups, search-and-rescue Rovers, and more, showcasing their exceptional intelligence and trainability.

Golden Retrievers require regular grooming to prevent mats in their thick coats, which should be brushed a few times weekly.

They're indeed one of the most loving breeds out there, demanding plenty of attention and affection from their owners.

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The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog with a thick coat of fur that's perfect for cold climates. He's originally from the Arctic Circle.

This dog's majestic hair can make it tricky to spot his rear dewclaws, so be careful not to snag them with a brush during grooming.

The Finnish Lapphund was bred to herd reindeer, which means he's smart and active.

The Basenji is a breed that can have hind dewclaws, but breeders often remove them to prevent accidents.

This breed's love of running and adventure makes it a good idea to keep their dewclaws clipped short if they remain in place.

Their high prey drive means they'll give chase to anything they perceive as prey, so walking them on a leash is a must.

Luckily, their natural love of the chase can be channeled into fun activities like lure coursing.

The Belgian Malinois is a breed that sometimes has rear dewclaws despite the AKC breed standard calling for none. This can give the dog more grip, but it also poses an injury risk due to their rough-and-tumble ways.

They require vigorous daily physical and mental exercise, making them one of the worst dog breeds for beginner owners. This breed demands multiple jogs or similar activities daily, paired with brain-buzzing activities like mastering new tricks or sniffing out hidden toys.

The Vizsla is an energy-packed pointer that sometimes has rear dewclaws, which may need to be removed to prevent injury during play.

Many pet parents opt to remove their Vizsla's rear dewclaws to prevent injury.

This breed is a natural fit in families with small kiddos, as they are playful and affectionate.

Kids can help wear out a Vizsla through fetch and other games, which is a great way to keep them active.

Training a Vizsla starts with nailing the basics: sit, down, stay, and loose leash walking.

From there, you can kick up the difficulty for this brainy buddy and consider tricks or canine sports like dock diving and agility.

Many breeds with rear dewclaws are large or giant breeds, originating from mountainous regions where they faced rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions.

These breeds often had to navigate challenging landscapes, and their rear dewclaws may have provided them with additional stability and traction.

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog and Saint Bernard are examples of breeds that likely benefited from rear dewclaws in their mountainous environments.

Working heritage is another commonality among breeds with rear dewclaws, as most of these breeds have a rich history as working dogs.

They were bred for specific tasks that require agility, strength, and endurance, such as herding livestock or performing rescue missions in mountainous regions.

Rear dewclaws likely played a role in enhancing their performance in these roles by providing added stability and agility.

The geographic origins of these breeds also play a significant role in the prevalence of rear dewclaws, with many hailing from regions with harsh climates and rugged terrain.

These environments, such as the Pyrenees mountains or the snowy slopes of Switzerland, may have offered advantages in navigating rocky terrain or traversing deep snow.

Selective breeding practices over centuries may have deliberately preserved or enhanced rear dewclaws in these breeds, recognizing their benefits in working dogs.

As a result, breeders may have selectively bred for this trait to ensure that future generations would possess the same advantages in their respective roles.

Rear dewclaws may also be an evolutionary adaptation that developed over time in response to the specific needs and challenges faced by these breeds in their natural environments.

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The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a formidable guardian of livestock, originating from Turkey. It's no surprise that these dogs often possess rear dewclaws, providing them with additional stability and traction in their mountainous homeland.

The fact that the Anatolian Shepherd Dog has rear dewclaws is not a coincidence, it's a deliberate feature that helps them navigate their challenging environment.

Many people are surprised by how many breeds have dewclaws, and the answer is yes, all breeds have them on their front legs, though not all breeds have them on their back legs.

Some dog owners may be wondering if their breed is one of the exceptions, but the fact is that rear dewclaws are present in many breeds, even if they're not as noticeable as the ones on the front legs.

In fact, all breeds have dewclaws on their front legs, which suggests that rear dewclaws are also a common feature in many breeds, even if they're not as prominent.

Rear dew claws are a topic of interest, especially in certain breeds. The dewclaw actually does touch the ground in racing and coursing breeds when the dog makes tight turns.

In breeds like the Saint Bernard and Great Pyrenees, rear dewclaws help while climbing rough terrain. This is likely due to their climbing abilities.

There is probably a benefit to dewclaw removal in cases where the rear dewclaw is dangly and floppy, as it can get caught and become injured.

Rear dewclaws can be a bit more high maintenance than their front counterparts. They require trimming every few weeks to every few months.

Rear dewclaws often cause more problems due to their conformation and nail growth. The nail may grow more quickly or be closer to the pad, making it difficult to trim. This can lead to painful snags and injuries.

To prevent issues, it's essential to check the area around your dog's rear dewclaws regularly. Keep the area around the dewclaws tangle-free and trimmed to prevent painful snags. If you notice any issues, address them promptly with veterinary care.

Toes are an essential part of a dog's overall health, and their dew claws are closely related to the health of their toes.

Dogs use their toes to grip and balance, and dew claws play a crucial role in this process.

A dog's toes are made up of 18 bones each, which is roughly one-quarter of the total number of bones in the human body.

The dew claw on a dog's toe is a small claw that is located on the inside of the paw, near the base of the toe.

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Rear dewclaws can be a bit tricky to maintain, but with the right care, you can reduce the risk of injury to your dog. They require trimming every few weeks to every few months, but some dogs may grow them more quickly, making it difficult to trim.

Dogs generally don't mind a quick trim of their front dewclaws, but rear dewclaws can be a different story. They tend to cause more problems due to their conformation and the way the nail grows. This can lead to a nail that's closer to the pad, making it hard to trim.

Regular grooming of your dog's paws can help prevent painful snags on the dewclaws. Keeping the area around the dewclaws tangle-free and trimmed can also make it easier to spot potential issues.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when maintaining your dog's rear dewclaws:

Rear dew claws can be a bit of a problem for some dogs. If a dog is born with floppy rear dew claws, these can get ripped or injured more easily than well-developed ones.

Floppy dew claws don't usually have much bony attachment to the tarsus (ankle), so dew claw removal is fairly easy. However, this procedure can be done at the same time as a spay or neuter, and there's an additional charge for it.

The dew claw removal cost varies greatly from vet to vet and pup to pup. The surgical fee will be minimal if there's only a small skin incision to remove a dangly little nail, or it will be more expensive if the dew claw has a joint and must be disarticulated from the leg.

Recovery from dew claw removal in an older dog can cause more headaches than recovery from the spay or neuter. Dogs and people may need to deal with bandages on the rear legs for 7-10 days, as well as an Elizabethan collar.

Here are some common issues and treatments for rear dew claws:

Dew claw removal might be necessary if a dog has a severely injured or diseased dew claw. In some cases, removal may be the humane choice if the dog has presented multiple times for the same problem with a dew claw.