Answer: Many dogs can have extra toes called “dewclaws.” They are similar to a thumb on the human hand. They are considered vestigial toes and lack the fine motor control.
Many breeders have the dewclaws removed when the pups are only a few days old. This practice is becoming less common.
Question: My dog has extra toes up higher than the rest that dangle on the back legs. Friends have told me that they are dewclaws and it is normal, but I worry about him catching them on something. Can they be taken off and should I be concerned?
Occasionally a dog has dewclaws that are unusually large or cumbersome. If the dewclaws are continually getting snagged, injured, or ingrown, they can be surgically removed.
Most dogs never have a problem with their dewclaws, and some even use them when holding toys or chew treats!
Do All Dogs Have Five Toes?
Most dogs have five toes on each front foot and 4 toes on each rear foot. The front feet include four regular toes and one dewclaw, while the back feet each have four regular toes. This makes for 18 toes in total! However, there are some breeds of dogs that will have even more toes (or dewclaws) with either single or double dewclaws on their back legs or front legs. In some cases, vets or breeders will choose to remove a dog’s dewclaws altogether. Some people consider this to be unnecessary and cruel to the dogs, while others consider it to be helpful for the dog in the long run.
A dewclaw is a small, thumb-like toe with a nail that resides on the inside of a dog’s legs. This toe is higher up than all the others and doesn’t make contact with the ground like the other toes do. Some dogs will have front dewclaws while others with have rear ones and some dogs will have no dewclaws at all.
But if dogs descended from wolves and purebred wolves don’t have dewclaws, how did modern dogs obtain theirs? This is a good question and the answer likely lies in how humans interacted with their working dogs. It is very likely that humans helped encourage the growth and development of dewclaws as a way to help the earliest dogs perform their duties better.
The dogs needed to do things like climbing, digging, and making quick turns when running. Having the dewclaw likely gave these dogs an advantage which made them more likely to survive and go on to breed. Now, nearly all dogs are born with this trait.
Today, dogs use their dewclaws for various reasons. They may use it to grip and handle items such as bones or toys, dig into ice or other surfaces, use them to help pull themselves up out of the water, or even gently scratch an itchy eye. So if these extra toes are so helpful to dogs, why do some people choose to have them removed? Since dewclaws are located up higher on the dog’s leg, they run the potential risk of getting caught on things and ripped.
This could be incredibly painful for a dog, so some people have the dewclaw removed to prevent the chances of this happening. Sometimes shortly after a dog has been born, a breeder will have the dewclaws removed if they are going for a smoother look or if the dewclaws are not a part of the breed standard. In this case, the removal is simply for cosmetic purposes and some people are against it and see it as cruel.
What to do if your dog has 5 toes on its back feet
When your dog is still a puppy it is highly recommended to go to the vet as soon as you detect an extra toe, so it can be removed. Then future problems are avoided and it will be less traumatic for the puppy.
For dogs over 6 months old, this operation is not mandatory. If you see no obvious discomfort and decide not to operate, you must keep an eye out for any developments on the fifth toe. If the toe becomes a problem then an operation will be required at the vets, however:
Finally, we advise all owners to be especially careful, by paying attention and looking after your dog so this problem doesnt become serious and have painful consequences. Maintaining a watchful attitude and going to the veterinarian whenever needed will improve your dogs quality of life, and ultimately give you a healthy and happy dog!
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Why Does my Dog Have 5 Toes on its Back Feet?, we recommend you visit our Hereditary diseases category. Bibliography
Why Do Dogs Have Dew Claws? | Answered by a Vet Tech
There are two schools of thought on the necessity of removing a dog’s dewclaws. One vigorously defends the “need” to remove the dewclaws. The other is equally passionate about leaving the dog intact.
It served a purpose at one time, but evolution and lifestyle changes have made it basically unnecessary.
A dewclaw is a small, undeveloped “extra” toe located behind the hock, inside the dog’s front leg.
On some dogs, the dewclaw is firmly attached to the bone. On others, it’s a floppy piece of skin with a nail attached.
Originally, dogs utilized their dewclaws to help them dig, climb, grip while running or turning, gripping food while eating, and to pull themselves out of holes or water. Many working, agility, and sport breeds still use the claws in their “jobs.”
A double dewclaw is occasionally found on the hind legs of some dogs. The double claw must be present for standard reasons in certain breeds such as Great Pyrenees, Beaucerons, and Briards.
Some argue that the dog’s dewclaws should be removed to prevent injury and infection. Many breeders remove the claws from pups before they open their eyes. Some owners and breeders remove them for safety and health reasons and believe younger dogs feel less pain and will not obsess about their removal.
The claws can be surgically removed when the dogs are older if they cause problems like catching or tearing.
Some people adamantly oppose removing dewclaws; claiming basic care, such as regularly inspecting them for injury and keeping the nails clipped, negates the need to remove them.
It may be the right thing to do health and safety if your dog has a history of having them catch and rip open.
If your dog is not experiencing problems, it might be best to leave the claws alone.
Karen A. Soukiasian is the owner of Good Dog! — Dog Training in St. Augustine, Florida. You can follow Karen on Facebook.
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