[Vicky Trainor]

I've had a few clients and, of course, Hoppy, get a new pup lately.
Of the 5, all are from reputable breeders, have at least a FC sire & QAA/MH dam, were in the $1000-$1600 price range &, not that it really matters, are all black

Only one did not have the dewclaws removed. This got me to wondering what a poll would disclose on RTF. I have always removed dewclaws as I feel it is necessary for a working dog. While working at the animal clinic, I've seen too many that have caught a 'loose' dewclaw in brush, ripping it and needing stitches for repair.

So.......do you dewclaw your puppies? If not, would you please explain why? If you were going to purchase a pup, would the fact that the pup did or didn't have the dewclaws removed be a deciding factor or would you want the price reduced?

Vicky

 

[Andy Carlson]

I've only had the one litter, but I did have their dewclaws removed. Every lab that I have ever owned all had their's removed - even my first lab that was a "freebie".

I like having them removed - just seems less likely to cause problems.

Andy

 

[Golddogs]

It seems to have become the thing to do among breeders in the past 10 to 15 years. I have never owned a dog that had the dews removed and have never had a problem. My dog(s) are hunted hard mainly on land after pheasants. A breeder once told me, she bredds Goldens for agility, that she feels they are there for a reason and that removing them may weaken the pastern. I have no clue if this is fact or fiction Just what she feels strongly about and she has been doing this a long time.

So bottom line for me, no big deal.

GD

 

[shootem]

That is one of the first things I look at in a dog, most of the time I am right. Dew claws off well-bred, dewclaws on poor breeding!!!!
I was removing dewclaws on puppies 22 years ago so it is nothing new!!!

 

[ErinsEdge]

That is one of the first things I look at in a dog, most of the time I am right. Dew claws off well-bred, dewclaws on poor breeding!!!!

I agree. It is a turn-off. Even the uniformed buyers ask if the dewclaws have been removed which makes me think they are thinking on the same lines.

 

[Pasquatch]

First I have to honestly say that I've never rip a dew claw on a dog and have run them hard, however I am sure it happens. Recent litters I have removed them and actually held the pups while the Vet did the work( not recommended). Early litters I had -they were not removed. It was never a matter of $$. My main reasons were: 1: Someone told me it was hard on the Pups - it is -but they forgive and forget. 2: I don't like the idea of taking a 3 day old pup out of the house and to a vets office with possible sick animals around. I know the veterinarian offices are clean , etc. etc. - but I hate to increase the risk.
I have purchased pups from reputable breeders that have been both ways - It doesn't bother me if they are not done.

 

[msdaisey]

Always removed. Not a big deal and I know a lot of people who even do their own (not me!). Many vets will come do them at your place.

 

[Pattie]

I have had two litters. I removed them from both.

Years before I even had a lab I saw a mut tear a rear one. It was the most discusting thing I ever saw.

Plus I hate nails. I grind nails as soon as I can hear them on the floor. So, that extra one will always be removed from a pup born in my house.

Pattie

 

[shootem]

First litter of pups I did I took into the vets, my best friends older sister (now a vet) was the vet tic who removed the dewclaws. She told me to come in and watch and she would show me how it was done. She did the first two and I did the rest and I did all puppies after that and never had trouble!!

 

[Lisa S.]

My pups come dewclawed, have my vet do it. Would do it myself, but they're just too wiggly. Most, if not all titled litters have them removed, so don't think you'd come across this often.

A friend who raises goldens keeps her pups dewclaws on. Some of them go to agility homes and they say the dewclaw gives them better traction on turns.

 

[Patti Benton]

I have one dog with dewclaws and 2 without. I like the look better without. Plus the oldest has snagged a dew claw and it almost required stitches, but wasn't as bad once the blood was clean off. Now that he is older, the nails seem more brittle and breaks easier. I'm afraid he'll snag it in the field and really cause a problem. My vet has stated that he'd come to our house if we have a little and remove the dewclaws.

 

[Steve Bean]

My preference is that they are removed, but with that said, I am buying the breeding, not a dewclaw status. The litters I have had, they were removed. But in two dogs I purchased, they weren't. Hunted in all different ways, and ran FT and HT....no problems. But you know, I still rather have them removed.

 

[Vicky Trainor]

That is one of the first things I look at in a dog, most of the time I am right. Dew claws off well-bred, dewclaws on poor breeding!!!!

LOL.....the pup with the dewclaws was the most expensive and has a wonderful pedigree

Vicky

 

[Brian Cockfield]

I prefer them to be removed for the very reasons you mentioned in your original post Vicky.

 

[Aussie]

Rare in Australia with working labs. Common in pointers.

Docking tails has recently been banned in Australia.

Ice/snow factor?

 

[Polock]

My preference is that they are removed, but with that said, I am buying the breeding, not a dewclaw status. The litters I have had, they were removed. But in two dogs I purchased, they weren't. Hunted in all different ways, and ran FT and HT....no problems. But you know, I still rather have them removed.

Hey, I was gonna say that...................... :?

Actually recently, 2 dawgs without removal.....................never had a problem.................2 with DC removed..................never a problem............my preference is the same as copy-cat Steve's............ 8)

 

[Russ]

I was given my first Lab 41 years ago. He had his dew claws removed as have every one I have owned since. It was never a deciding factor. I may not have noticed at the time of purchase in those early years.

Russ

 

[eva b.]

I've been wondering about this too. Most of the answers given so far confirm the prevalence of expectations and assumptions from the potential "market audience."

There was an interesting article in Dog World magazine a few months ago (I wish I had saved the issue) by a woman vet/specialist in canine sports physiology (full professor at Johns Hopkins). She talked about many issues regarding canine physical anatomy/conformation and dew claws was one. She maintained that movement studies, as well as the anatomy of the leg, suggest that the dew claws do actually play a role in motion and balance, particularly in quick directional changes and things like that. She went on to say that there is musculature in the leg (I hope I am accurately recalling this) that atrophies as a result of the dewclaw removal. She advocated against removal and I got the strong impression it was on this basis--there was no hint of another "agenda" in the article.

Anyone else read this?

 

[Patrick Johndrow]

I like them removed when they are pups...remove them when they are pups and it is no more than a finger nail clipper procedure...removing them as adults dogs and it requires surgery.

 

[Bubba]

I don't think that I would buy a puppy that still had dew claws - purely prejudice.

Sally Sullivan runs an entire flock of pointers in the roughest country imaginable nearly every day from late fall through early spring and has for 30 years or so. She will tell you that she has never had an injury due to dew claws and has never heard of one. Coyotes don't seem to have much problem with them either??

It's one of those arguments where facts and data don't seem to have much of an impact.

Bubba