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Northeast Wisconsin Bully Breeders
A Division
of Porterfield Exotics |
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This page last edited on 10/05/2011 |
Bully Breeds & Dew Claws
The dew claw is basically what
would be the thumb on a dogs front paws. This claw
is located up the paw from the portion that the dog walks on,
seldom touches the ground and serves no real purpose. Many
breeders and veterinarians will amputate these claws shortly
after birth. The primary purpose in doing this in most
breeds is tradition and to eliminate one extra faster growing
nail as it does not get the same wear as the other nails.
In hunting, herding and some other working breeds removal is
recommended as a means of eliminating potential for future
injury. In dogs that work the woods and fields it is
common for them to snag these extra claws on sticks or fences
and this can cause injuries. Until recently like most
breeders we just automatically removed them and for years our
customers expected them to be removed. In recent years
attitudes are changing and our customers are becoming more
concerned about why certain procedures are or are not done.
Our puppies are primarily sold as household companions and it is
unlikely that many of our pups will become injured crossing
fallen trees and fences. This procedure was never one of
my favorite jobs so for the past couple years we have opted to
stop removing the dew claws on most of our pups. We have
not seen any increase in toe or nail injuries in our dogs and
have not heard back from any customers that they have had any
problems caused by the non-removal of dew claws.
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