And since dew claws don’t regularly touch the ground and get worn down, they may grow faster than a dog’s other nails. If dew claws do get snagged, it can be quite painful for the dog. R egular trimming prevents snagging and breaking, also preventing nails from curling around and growing into the foot. Like toenails, dew claws should be trimmed periodically. The rule of thumb is to care for your dog’s dew claws the way you would for any other nail. Becker says that breeds like Whippets and Border Collies, who are known for being particularly fast, use their dew claws to help them quickly navigate corners. “Dogs doing agility may grasp the sides of the teeter with their dew claws to steady themselves,” says Dr. Interestingly, wolves and other wild canids do not normally have these extra digits unless their ancestors were cross-bred with dogs.ĭew claws are also convenient in dog sports. The Briard and the Beauceron are known for their dual herding and guarding purposes, so the double dew claws might also help them chase sheep-steeling predators over rough terrain. In the Great Pyrenees, these may function as a brake of sorts since they often raced down mountainsides chasing wolves away from flocks of livestock. Some herding breeds or guarding breeds have double dew claws on their hind legs. Helping a dog scramble up or down rocky, steep terrain.Adding grip and stability on slippery surfaces such as ice or when climbing out of water.Providing extra traction and stabilizing the (carpal) wrist joint when dogs turn at high speeds. Helping a dog grip a bone or toy between their front legs.Jerry Klein, the AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer. “There are a variety of ways dew claws may help a dog accomplish different tasks,” says Dr. Some experts differentiate between dew claws attached by bone versus floppier ones attached only by loose skin to try to distinguish why they’re there in the first place. Why Do Dogs Have Dew Claws?Įxperts have disagreed about the exact purpose of dew claws on dogs. Depending on the breed, the double dew claw may even be considered part of the breed standard. Certain breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees, Briard, Beauceron, and Icelandic Sheepdog, are known for having these rear double dew claws.
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