These looser type of dew claws can cause a bit of worry for dog owners, as there is a risk of serious injury occuring. In some dogs the dew claws are held tightly against the paw, in others they can be quite loose and floppy. And in some cases dogs even have an extra toe which is often referred to as a double dew claw, or polydactyl (meaning “extra toe”) and is commonly found in breeds like the Briard, St Bernard and Great Pyrenees.ĭouble dew claw on a dog The risk of dew claw injury The majority of dogs have dew claws only on their front paws, however some dogs exhibit dew claws on their hind feet, e.g. Dew claws are basically leftovers of the canine evolutionary process. However, since then dogs have evolved and the physiology of their paws changed to allow for more speed when hunting on the ground. They are often referred to as a dog’s thumb, but they have a lot less purpose and value to a dog than a human’s thumb does.įrom an evolutionary perspective, it has been discovered that, around 40 million years ago, the cat-like animal miacis – a very early ancestor of modern dogs – needed all five toes for climbing trees. We discuss the pros and cons of surgical removal as well as the implications and costs of such a procedure.ĭew claws are short nails on the site of the foot that don’t touch the ground. This article will help you understand what dew claws are, explore their function and which different types of dew claws there are. You may have found this article because you are considering removing your dog’s dew claws. In some dogs, they are tightly attached, in other dogs they only seem loosely attached to the leg. You may have noticed your dog’s little toe that sits a bit higher up the leg, away from the bed of its paws.
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