Questions for Agility Dog Owners?

Question

I have a Collie puppy and she has not had her dew claws removed.

I have heard that having them can helpful in Agility.

Do you recommend having them removed or do you recommend just leaving them alone and clipping them regularly?

Answer 1

I agree with the others - as long as there is only one dew claw on each front foot, she should be just fine. My lab has front dew claws and we never had a problem.

Any dew claws on hind feet, or multiple front ones you might wanna have taken off.

Answer 2

Unless they are huge and floppy, I'd just leave them there.  Plenty of agility dogs compete with normal dewclaws with no problems at all.  Rear dewclaws are another matter and should be removed; they are extras that shouldn't be there, like you having a 6th toe.  They often are floppy and more easily catch on things and pull.

Answer 3

They should just be left there. I don't see them helping or hindering your dog in Agility. Unless they are causing a real problem, I wouldn't worry about them. Plus, because she's old enough for you to have her, the surgery would be quite painful, and probably shouldn't be done unless absolutely necessary.

Good luck and have fun in Agility, it's a great sport.  

Answer 4

Unless you are experiencing problems other than in agility I wouldn`t do anything about them.

Their are not any obstacles that his/her nails could get caught on.

Just be sure to keep those nails trimmed.

Besides surgery can sometimes lead to complications so why risk it and end up with a scar on each of your dogs front legs.

Have a great time with your dog learning agility. Remember it`s not always the speed but the performance that counts. Although having both doesn`t hurt either, lol.

Good luck and God bless.