What's with dew (?) claws? Why do people have them removed?

Question

I go with the belief that animals should keep whatever they were born with (with the exception of reproduction organs for obvious reasons)...

But I hear about people removing "dew claws"... I know what they are and where they are.... But what is the point of it?

I am not doing this to my dog, but I was curious.

Answer 1

Dew claws that don't have good attachment often get torn even around the house.  If they have good attachment and you don't plan on showing your dog then there is not reason to have them removed.   If you are planing on showing your dog check with breeders in your area there is nothing in the breed standard for Bullmastiffs about dewclaws but things that aren't in the standard may still be expected in the breed.    If they do not have good attachment it is best to have them removed when your dog goes under anesthesia for another procedure (neuter for example) as it will prevent  injury and the dog having to go under anesthesia later on to have them removed when they are injured.  I wouldn't recommend specifically putting the dog under just to have them removed (when they are removed by the breeder the bone has not fully developed (3-5 days) so no anesthesia is used  

Answer 2

Dews are removed to prevent injury. Especially in working or hunting dogs.

The dews can catch on something and get ripped off causing a great deal of injury and pain. Its better to prevent that from happening than wait for it to happen.

Answer 3

People remove dew claws because trimming them can get to be a real hassle.  They grow in a wierd place, and at an agle that's just not easily maintained.  They run the risk of getting caught on the carpet, crate wire, soft toys, or anything like that.  This may cause injury if they get pulled out as a result of being caught.  There's no harm in removing them... they serve no purpose.  I do know, that the vet offered to remove my dogs dew claws when we had her spayed, and the cost was gonna be an additional $140, to which we said....ummm....no thanks.  We just trim the at every nail clipping and keep them as short as possible to keep them from harm.  We have 3 dogs and they all have their dew claws......

Answer 4

Some breeds have them removed to prevent injury in the field.

Some breeds have them removed to make the leg look cleaner.

Many pet dogs have them removed because they are loose and prone to catching on things or being cut during grooming.  I've seen some pet dogs whose dew claws seem to be simply hanging from a piece of skin, when this kind of dog gets matted and has to be shaved it's VERY easy to accidentally cut it.  

Dew claws also don't wear down on their own, so if they're not cut, they can grow very long.  I've seen them grow back around into the foot!

Some puppymills automatically remove dewclaws, regardless of breed.  In my breed, I don't recall seeing any show dogs with dew claws removed, but I often see pet dogs without them.

Some breeds require dew claws in order to do their job.  Some breeds  require rear dew claws, or even double rear dew claws.

If your Bullmastiff's is just a pet, and if his dew claws are solid, short and firmly attached, then there is no need to remove them.

Answer 5

There's a lot of controversy whether or not it's humane to remove them, but they're removed with good reason, unlike tail docking which is now mostly used for vanity reasons.  The claw can hurt the dog, the dogs other nails are filed down form traction with sidewalk, etc. while the dewclaw usually isn't.  It can scratch the dogs face.  The dog can try to bite it off and cause infection or irritation.  All in all, it's an extra claw that doesn't help them or really hinder them.  It's like getting a baby boy circumsized!

Answer 6

In some breeds they are removed for show so that the leg has a cleaner look.  Not a good reason IMO.  Dogs do use them like thumbs to hold a bone or toy they are chewing on.  A dog that is working hard in heavy brush might benefit from removal to prevent them from snagging on something and ripping the tendon up the leg.  Rear dewclaws are another matter entirely.  They are usually loosely attached and floppy.  They can much more easily catch on something and cause leg injury.  When I get in a rescue Aussie with rear dewclaws I do have those removed when I have him/her neutered. As for a bullmastiff, unless he's going to be really active in brushy areas, it probably isn't necessary.

Answer 7

I do not have any of my dog's removed. Unless it is a dog at high risk of catching them on something, don't bother. Many people don't cut their pets nails and the dew claws grow in a circle and get snagged and can rip off, so be sure to keep the claw short.

Answer 8

After a litter of puppies are born the breeder or owner will often remove the dew claws a few days after birth. This is to prevent them getting torn. The back dew claws are very flimsy and easy for them to get torn - which is very painful to the dog. My chocolate lab mix has hers, and my German shepherd doesn't. So - it's just precaution. Hope this helps!

Answer 9

My dog has his dew claws.  

Answer 10

Excellent question. I asked my vet the same thing. Here is what my vet told me:

1. People who use their dog for hunting have their dew claws removed because they will probably get caught in bushes, brush, etc. If it gets torn, it can be very painful and infection can set in. So in those situations it is best to get them removed.

2. For regular house dogs, that don't go for hunting, it is best not to remove them. This is because to remove them, they have to take away some amount of bone.

Hope this helps.