![]() ![]() Only certain breeds of dogs have dewclaws on their hindlegs. If you do have a dog with back dewclaws, especially ones that are firmly attached to his or her leg, this can be a good indication of the dog’s breed, if you don’t know it already! Which Dog Breeds Have Dew Claws On Hind Legs? Dogs that have retained their firmly attached back dewclaws may use them to help stabilize their legs as they move. Over time, the back dewclaws of most dog breeds have been eliminated through evolution. ![]() See also Is Beef Hide the Same as Raw Hide for Pets? This is because when most dogs run, the area where a dewclaw is located does not touch the ground and they do not serve much of a purpose, eliminating their need to be a functioning digit. Back dewclaws are typically not attached to the leg as firmly as front dewclaws and may appear as more as extra skin with a claw attached than an actual toe. Why Don’t Most Dogs Have Dew Claws On Their Back Legs?Īs opposed to front dewclaws, which most dogs have, it is much less common to observe back dewclaws. Dogs can also use their front dewclaw for additional stability in holding something they are chewing, or in less common instances, provide extra support when climbing or moving on slippery surfaces. When running, a dog’s leg bends in such a way that the dewclaw touches the ground and provides extra support to the canine equivalent of wrist joints. While they may not seem to have much of a purpose, these digits actually benefit dogs who are moving at high speeds. In general, dewclaws on a dog’s front leg are firmly attached to the bone. These extra digits have nails, or claws, and require proper trimming and care, just like the nails on the dog’s lower toes. Similar to human thumbs, they are offset from a dog’s main toes, but they are found slightly higher on the dog’s leg. Read on to learn more about canine dewclaws! What Are Dew Claws On Dogs?ĭewclaws are extra toes most commonly found on your dog’s front legs. However, most dogs do not have this extra digit on their back legs, either because of their breed or elective surgery. In dogs, dewclaws are particularly noticeable on front legs as they appear as a standalone digit with a toenail. If the dewclaws are continually getting snagged, injured, or ingrown, they can be surgically removed.Dewclaws are extra toes that are often found on the legs of some birds, reptiles, felines, swine, and canines. ![]() Occasionally a dog has dewclaws that are unusually large or cumbersome. The best way to prevent these problems is by keeping the nails trimmed short and smooth. Dogs also can get nails caught and ripped off of any toe, including the dewclaw, and they occasionally sprain or fracture their toes. Unfortunately, many dewclaws are more likely to have a curled nail that can grow into the soft pad on the toe and cause pain and infection. Many breeders have the dewclaws removed when the pups are only a few days old. Most dogs never have a problem with their dewclaws, and some even use them when holding toys or chew treats! The number and type of dewclaw can even vary between littermates. Some dogs have very large dewclaws and may even have “double dewclaws” on each foot. Some dogs have them on the front and rear feet. ![]() Some dewclaws are very tiny and just dangle. They are considered vestigial toes and lack the fine motor control. Can they be taken off and should I be concerned?Īnswer: Many dogs can have extra toes called “dewclaws.” They are similar to a thumb on the human hand. Friends have told me that they are dewclaws and it is normal, but I worry about him catching them on something. Question: My dog has extra toes up higher than the rest that dangle on the back legs. ![]()
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