• Dew claws are sometimes called "thumbs" they are the nail that you find up on the leg by they ankle joint. Breeders have them removed at 2/3 days of age as they are not for any use and only wind up causing injury. Many people forget to keep them clipped/filed like the other nails on the foot and especially long haired dogs, we have seen them grow all the way around and back into the leg….


  • oh- crap. Jack has those, I didn't know what they were.


  • Yup, Fiji has them too. There are many, many great things about this forum. The bad thing is what an infinite source it is of all the things that are - or could be - wrong with your pup.


  • But, as long as I watch them, and make sure they are trimmed, then they shouldn't be a problem, right?


  • Robin,

    My Eski had his front dew claws still on all his life. They never were a problem as long as I remembered to cut them (They were hard to see, all that hair!). I know on some very active outdoor breeds (hunting dogs) they can become problematic because they can get 'torn' by being caught in the brush etc.

    Keep Jack's short and he probably won't ever have any trouble with em.


  • @Robin_n_Jack:

    But, as long as I watch them, and make sure they are trimmed, then they shouldn't be a problem, right?

    Yes, sometimes they can "catch" on something and "rip", but by keeping them trimmed that will help…


  • Tosca has them as well. I just get them cut every so often, and everything is fine. However, we got her from a shelter in Iowa and she was originally from CA, I don't know anything else about her history. Does the fact that she has these mean she is from a BYB? Or do some reasonable breeders keep them also? She also has a small tatoo on her belly, its a circle and a cross below, the sign for female. I don't know if that was cosmetic or a breeder thing, but its something I've never seen before on another dog.


  • Well my pup has them and she is from a excellent breeder… It might vary from country to country. I believe they are kept in the Euro..
    Lyly has never had a problem with them.

    So sorry to hear about the Tri boy.. ugh.. I agree, open season on ignorant buyers. grrrrrrrrrrrrr


  • Dew claw removal varies from country to country, much like tail docking or ear cropping do. Kennel clubs in some countries do not tolerate any surgical alteration of the dog.

    I'm inclined to agree with them…fwiw


  • @EskiLovr:

    Dew claw removal varies from country to country, much like tail docking or ear cropping do. Kennel clubs in some countries do not tolerate any surgical alteration of the dog.

    I'm inclined to agree with them…fwiw

    In the Netherlands it's illegal to remove dew claws, dock tails and crop ears. You can't show a dog with these things done when they come from a country where it's illegal.


  • And while I agree with docking and ear cropping… I don't agree with not removing dew claws (as 2 or 3 day old babies).... I have seen way to many rippped dew claws in my time... or uncared for dew claws....


  • I asked Andrea, the Tri's foster mom to post her photos and eval for this boy.
    She says he is very sweet…
    So, more soon.


  • Yes, I want to see pictures of this little guy who's getting a 2nd chance!! I love rescues!! 🙂


  • Little "Shaun" who actually ended up being a Decker Rat Terrier is now adopted by a nice family in Oregon. They are going to rename him "Riley".

    He is so sweet and was a delight to have around, his photos are here:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/14362288@N08/sets/72157605706915682/

    ~Andrea


  • It's uncanny how much he looks like a basenji. I'm glad he found a good forever home.


  • Wow - does that breed look like a basenji! Even the way he holds his paws. What a cutie, and what a nice happy ending.


  • Yes, Andrea went down to pick up a BRAT basenji, and we ended up with a Decker. Photos above.
    BUT the boy was sweet and intact, so Andrea kept him on as a foster with no $$ help and got him fixed.
    She was smart, she contact a Decker terrier breeder in Portland who was kind enough to tell us what type of home we needed to get.
    Andrea, a rescue foster angel for any dog who comes into her home.
    Right now we have Zoe, who is so damaged, we are hoping we can turn her around.
    She was reported to be a lovely, sweet girl, we found a staved 14 lbs with ribs and backbone showing and temperment that is suspect.
    Owner release..dew claws, altho these folks wanted to tell us she was from a Quality show breeder yea right..sorry, small rant here…
    So, we will be trying to see if we can turn her around...if not, well...sigh...
    Andrea is an angel, I do so appreciate her wonderful work fostering dogs in need...


  • Yippee for Riley! Poor boy - being dumped. I hope he recoveres happily in his new "forever" home. He looks so Basenji and handsome! Kudos Andrea for fostering. 🙂


  • Ok forgive me but I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing here. Those "dew" claws should be there? I just need to keep Mick's clipped and maintained right? I don't need to have them removed right?


  • Oh wait a minute, I just checked and Mick has a little nub up on his leg like below his elbow but it doesn't have a nail in it. Then underneath that is the thumb-like claw. Is that the "dew" claw or the nub? This sounds so funny. Sorry for the ignorance.

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