Pro and Cons of Removing Front dewclaws on working litters - Page 2

VK - your puppies didn't have front dewclaws?  You must be talking about rear dewclaws, right?  Rear dewclaws are not usually there - fronts are always there.  Rear dews are not attached with bone and ligament, so they are dangly and loose and can be easily torn/injured in working.  Though there are some working breeds whose standard calls for rear DOUBLE dewclaws, such as the Beuceron, and Leonburger....

I have any rear dewclaws removed (when they rarely occur, can't remember the last time I had that in a puppy), but never the front.

Obviously they don't use them for walking on, but all of mine have always used their  front dewclaws  like the other front toes  for gripping, clawing, fast turning, traction, and stuff.  I would never remove front dewclaws, they are toes not vestiges of toes like they are in the back.

they also use them as a useful toe for holding things down (like bones, whatever they are chewing on), scratching, and as "thumbs" which is what they are. Also used for climbing, balancing on uneven surfaces - and for removing muzzles LOL

molly

I guess I didn't realize the front claw was referred to as a dewclaw, I thought those were claws in the back that are higher up.  My dogs never had any rear ones.  The front ones, yes I guess they have those, I've never heard of those ones being removed and have never had issues with them.  As I said I have seen some torn or injured claws but it was never a dewclaw.  If a puppy had rears, I would not care if they are removed since it seems they are *not* a requirement for show for this breed.

There could be a case for removal of rear dewclaws in working, or other dogs where they may cause a problem, as they are no longer functional in canines and in fact, don't even occur in the wolf. Different selectional criteria in domestication has allowed their reappearance.

Front dewclaws OTOH are functional. Many dogs use them for gripping, scratching and perhaps most significantly in locomotion. There is evidence to suggest that removal predisposes to arthritic changes in the lower leg. A very interesting article here -

http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/Mestena/dewclawsInjury.pdf

Are you talking about floppy, sometimes multiple faulty dew claws or are you talking about normal natural proper claws about 3 or so inches above the ground which all canines have on front legs?
I remove the improper ones (front and back)  yes they can cause injury and should be removed and no absolutely leave the natural ones. GSD is a natural dog and does not need any physical alterations if normal developed .
Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

 OMG. What planet is someone from who thinks a dog doesn't need and use his front dewclaws???? Not only that, but as Molly said, it's a DIGIT...not just a hanging claw. Look at some videos where a dog is running and pivoting and tell me you feel ok removing that part of their body.

Yikes; that's as bad as declawing a cat. 

I would never sell someone a dog who wanted parts of its body removed prior to sale. That right there tells me we do not see eye to eye on animal welfare.

When I bred a bitch to a similarly bred male (both had similar very old lines) I got 2/3 rear dewclaws, which I did remove; they were hardly attached. 

I had my newest pup for a week or so before noticing she'd had her front dew claws removed.....I was NOT happy when I saw that!  Didn't notice until I went to clip nails.  There are dark spots where the dew claws were (she's a red sable) and what's left of the toe. 

Called the person who sent her to me and said "She's had her front dew claws removed, did you know that?"  There was stunned silence on the other end of the phone, followed by several choice words....she hadn't noticed either.  Not much we can do about it at this point but it makes me wonder what some people are thinking!

 I have also heard instances where if not done correctly, they can partially grow back, which is very problematic and can require multiple surgeries to correct. 

WTH are people thinking???????????????

Prager, I never have heard of an improper front i have never seen one,I was refering to the fronts only, the ones approx 3 inches up from the foot,everyone seems to agree rear dewclaws should always be removed,one person mentioned  better traction but being so high on the leg I would think unless the dog in deep mud or snow i,m not sure how this would help much,some have mentioned better movement on turns I cannot tell if that is true or untrue for I have a dog that moves very fast and true on turns and her fronts are gone and as for being able to get a muzzle off,I do not want my muzzles off if they are using that as a tool,we have had strong ideas on both side of the fence,does anyone know what a sv judge would say, are they disqual. or just points knocked off and what does an AKC show judge do if they are missing?