My dog has them but they are totally attached and bony...His sisters were more like an earlobe...unattached and floppy....She had hers removed but we haven't done Dexters because they are just so a part of him...He's 3 and hasn't had anytrouble at all...Anyway..What are they there for?
2006-09-11 06:58:44 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
"The smaller claws that are located on the inside of the legs above the other claws are called dewclaws. They actually represent the first digit or toe on a dog, located a short distance up the leg on the inside surface, and are not used for walking. Although they may have been functional in the past, dewclaws no longer serve a purpose for the dog. Some dogs may be born with front dewclaws only, or any combinations of front and back."
2006-09-11 07:02:38 · answer #1 · answered by Axe 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Now they are an unnecessary extra toe on a dog that on some gets caught on things and ripped or tron off so on many breeds they remove them when the pups are about three days old. It prevents them from tearing them off later in life.
Thousands of years ago the dog may have walked differently than they do today and they may of had a use but not anymore.
2006-09-11 14:21:38 · answer #2 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't have any use now-a-days, but if your dog is active you might want them to be removed because they can get ripped off or particially ripped off if he's a ruff dog. I had my border collie's removed because I run with him because I am a cross-country runner, and we run through some difficult terrain. It all depends on the dog, but if he's fine with it then there is no point in removing them if they aren't bothersome.
2006-09-11 14:07:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like your appendix, just a left over. Not useful and often problematic.
2006-09-11 14:02:08 · answer #4 · answered by campojoe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure. My dog uses his to hold onto his rawhides when he's chewing them. Otherwise, I don't know what they're for. His are like a toenail.
2006-09-11 14:00:47 · answer #5 · answered by animal_mother 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the front ones are there to help hold onto things while chewing /eating...... the back ones im not to sure of
2006-09-11 14:45:10 · answer #6 · answered by buzzin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are like thumbs they don't really work like ours but it help's them somehow...
2006-09-11 14:01:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋