extra toe on back feet - Page 1

What is up with this?????

Is it an extra toe like on a cat (an extra toe on the main paw), or is it a dewclaw that didn't get removed?

It is an extra toe or toes on the back feet. Dew claws are on the front or at least thats where they are suppose to be!

there are back dew claws.  Great Pyrenese is a breed where the standard calls for double back dews

But not on a German shepherd!

Dew claws do sometimes show up on back legs and need or should be removed when pups are a couple days old. If they are up some on the leg like the front dew claws then that is what they are, if they are actually on the foot like a cats double paws then thats weird!

Dew claws can appear on the front and/or back paws. In most breeds it is a disqualifying trait, but some breeds like the Beauceron call for double hind dewclaws.

It is somewhat unusual but certainly not unheard of to have the dewclaw(s) on the hind foot.  You may have one pup in the litter with them or you may have several.  And it can be on one foot or both.  In fact I had a litter born yesterday, and one pup out of 6 had ONE rear dewclaw which will be removed today. As Trailrider said, it is customary to remove the rear dewclaw(s),  at a couple of days old, while there is still little blood supply and nervation, and the mother will lick the site clean with much less fuss and worry than if you had a vet remove and stitch. (Provided the whelping box is kept pretty clean).which you can do yourself with sterilized scissors or nail clippers if you wish. The pup may (or may not) yip, and it's over - give it back to mama.  I prefer not to use a styptic pencil or any such thing to stop blood because of the mother licking them - I personally don't want her licking styptic.

I know a terrier breeder that uses a curling iron to sear the wound,  it work very well for them, stops the bleeding and is ot harmful if mother dog licks the wound.  just an FYI for everyone.