If you’ve ever looked at a dog’s anatomy, you may have noticed that they have an extra claw on their front paws. These are known as dew claws and are often removed from certain breeds for aesthetic or practical purposes. But why do some breeders remove them? And why do we choose not to remove them from our AKC Golden Retriever Puppies and Goldendoodle Puppies.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the reasons why we don’t remove dew claws from our puppies. We’ll also discuss the potential risks associated with removing these extra claws and how they can be beneficial for active canine companions!
Why We Chose to Leave Them
When we decided to start breeding golden retriever puppies, we had to decide whether or not to remove the dew claw. After doing some research, we decided that leaving the dew claw intact was the best decision for our dogs.
Here are 4 reasons why:
1. Dew claws serve as an extra point of contact with the ground, which can be beneficial for dogs who run and play a lot.
2. Removal of the dew claw can be painful for dogs and may lead to complications such as infection or nerve damage.
3. There is no evidence that removing dew claws prevents any health problems. In fact, some studies have shown that removing dew claws actually increases the risk of joint problems later in life.
4. Removing them is unnecessary mutilation of a healthy animal and goes against our philosophy of breeding happy and healthy dogs.
What are dew claws?
Dew claws are the small, often vestigial toes that some dogs have on the side of their feet. While they are often removed from dogs for cosmetic reasons, we believe that they serve an important purpose and choose not to remove them from our golden retriever puppies and Goldendoodle puppies.
They help provide traction and stability when a dog is running and turning. They also help protect the pads on a dog’s feet from wear and tear. In our opinion, dew claws are an important part of a dog’s anatomy and should not be removed simply for cosmetic reasons.
Why we don’t remove them from our puppies.
Dew claws are actually a vestigial toe that remains on the forelegs of some mammals. In dogs, they typically occur on the inner side of the leg and are often removed soon after birth.
However, we believe that dew claws serve an important purpose and do not recommend removing them from our golden retriever and Goldendoodle puppies. Here’s why:
The dew claw provide extra traction when running and make it easier for dogs to turn quickly. They also help to distribute the force of impact more evenly across the foot, which can reduce the risk of injury, and they help to protect the delicate pads on your dog’s feet from wear and tear.
While it is possible for dew claws to get caught on things or become injured, this is relatively rare. And, in most cases, dew claw injuries can be easily treated at home with some basic first aid.
4 benefits of having dew claws
Dew claws are often removed from dogs when they are puppies, but we believe that there are many benefits to leaving them intact. Here are just a few of the advantages:
1. They provide extra traction.
2. They help protect against injuries.
3. They can be used for grasping and holding onto things.
4. They add to the dog’s overall beauty.
So, there you have it! We believe that there are many benefits to leaving your dog’s dew claws intact, and we hope that you will consider doing the same!
The disadvantages of having dew claws
Although dew claws are often considered to be superfluous appendages, they actually serve an important purpose. They help dogs maintain their balance and grip when running and climbing. They also provide protection for the tendons and bones in the feet.
Although very rare, dew claws can also be a source of problems for dogs.
Because they are not as securely attached to the foot as other claws, they are more prone to injury. They can get caught on things and ripped off, which is painful and can lead to infection. In some cases, dew claws can grow into the pads of the feet, causing discomfort and potentially requiring surgical removal.
How to take care of your dog’s dew claws
– Keep them trimmed. Just like your own nails, dew claws can get long and sharp if they’re not trimmed regularly. This can be a painful experience for your dog, and can also lead to injury if they catch on something. Use dog nail trimmers (never human nail trimmers) to carefully snip away any excess length.
– Keep an eye out for infections. Because dew claws are relatively close to the ground, they can easily become infected if they’re not kept clean. Inspect them regularly and look for any signs of redness, swelling, or discharge. If you notice anything unusual, take your dog to the vet right away.
– Be careful during activities. During outdoor activities like hiking or running, be sure to keep an eye on your dog’s dew claws. They can easily get caught on things like rocks or roots, which can lead to injury.
Conclusion
Dew claws can be a valuable asset to any dog, especially those like Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles that often enjoy active outdoor activities.
Removing them can cause discomfort and even infection if done incorrectly. We believe that it is important to leave the dew claw intact in order to ensure the health and safety of our pups. Not only will they have extra protection on their adventures, but they’ll also look cuter with all five toes!
If you would like to keep reading about declaws check out this article.
If you are ready to reserve a 5-toed puppy, check out our current litters.