German Shepherd Pup with 6 toes! :) - Page 1

Hello all!

This is my first post on this site! I am a new owner a 5 week old male German Shepherd pup! I know this  too early but the family was getting rid of him and when I met him I fell in love and took him. He's our family dog now, but he was a birthday present for my daughter who just turned 3 yesterday. He's absolutely precious and he'll more than likely be or be part of my profile picture once I set one. He hasn't been vetted yet but has an appointment.

So my main reason for posting is because despite all of his amazingness, he has 6 toes on his hind legs, dual dew claws, which really actually don't count agains him :)! I've been googling for some answers and it led me to a post from 2007 on this site about someone who's shepherd had this same thing. Both of his parents were K9 agents and beautiful at that. He's a purebred from what I could tell and the parents I saw. All the same characteristics, looks like any other GS pup, but does anyone know what the reason for this is? I can't see it causing him any major problems down the road and he walks completely normal.

Any friendly responses and advice are welcome!

~Brittney

You see similar occurences in cats called Polydactylism. 

I would guess it is a recessive gene. Did either (both) of the parents have the dews removed? Just wondered if someone was hiding something.

As an interesting fact though.... double dews on the rear are a part of the breed standard for the Great Pyrenees.

-Sue

There's nothing to hide in my opinion, since many of the foundation dogs of the GSD had back dewclaws; the Beauceron for one, the Briard, and many of the old European herding dogs that were part of the formation of the breed. They are leftover trait that shows up periodically but should have been removed when he was about three days old. No big deal, really.

Double dew claws pop up from time to time in european dogs. And of course their american desendents. You should look into having them removed because they can catch on things and get injured. I've seen it before as i worked for a vet for 10 years. And because the claws do not touch the ground they do not get worn down naturally. So they must be clipped often to keep them from growing into the dogs foot or back into the toe. If you plan to have the dog neutered have the claws removed then. If not its a simple surgery and they will not be missed.
good luck with your new pup.

I had them from time to time in my workinglines, and I have seen them pop up in west German showlines as well. Sometimes it's recessive, as per my workinglines. The frequency of occurrence was enough to indicate a genetic cause. Othertimes though, it is a mutation that occurs randomly as in the showline litter. Technically there are several mutations that can cause it, and they vary from a little flap of skin with a toenail to a fully articulated dewclaw with complete bone structure.

Brittney, I am not commenting on the dew claws as everything there is to it has been said.

But I want to comment on your screen name. You might think its cool to put some German words together, but yours is rather negative and shines a bad light on you. I dont think you speak German. The common phrase "we are the shit" (just guessing thats what you wanted it to say) does not translate into the same meaning in German. The combination makes not even sense. It would be nice if you think of another screen name, and ask a Mod if it can be changed. I think everyone would like to welcome you positively and not remember you with a rather offensive screen name.

I get rear dewclaws when I breed to a certain male. Interestingly, my mentor predicted it ahead of time and sure enough, half the pups have them and half don't. This has happened twice. 

I wouldn't worry about it the dewclaws for now and consider removing them in the future. I would, however, hold off on "vetting" a puppy that young. He is undoubtedly quite stressed, and now is NOT the time for vaccines. 

Thanks to all for the advice!

I have been doing research and have come up with mostly what has been said here... Its not uncommon in some lines. They are fully structured, bone and all, and unless it will cause him any harm I don't think removing them is necessary. Its not like he's going to go to the dog park and get picked on for it :). I don't think surgery on a dog for cosmetic purposes is necessary. It makese him unique, although it did have me worried at first. He's a great pup! I'm going to try to upload my pictures soon so I can share him with you all!

Elkcorr:

While I don't feel that I am offending anyone with my name I will take into consideration your comment and try to have it changed. My family is German. My entire family comes from Germany. My grandmother's first language is German. She told me thats how its said, so I'm gonna trust her. Its tattood on my arm. Its origin has nothing to do with profanity or being rude, its honestly something that we say in my family and I didn't mean to offend you. I apologize and hope you don't hold it against me :)

Brittney

Thank you Brittney. German is my first language, just living in the US now since end of 2000. If you like to stay with a german screen name, you are welcome to message me if you are unsure about the translation.