My border collie has an extra toe on every leg. They're completly useless. You can twist them in all kinds of crazy directions and it won't hurt him a bit. They just kind of dangle there. Why?
2007-06-17 21:37:10 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
to the whoever responded before me, you are an imbicile, the question had NOTHING to do with breeding, I don't know where you people get off. If someone had a dog, I am sure they have considered the responsibility and the purpose of breeding
Now to your question...What you are more than likely talking about is a dew claw, they are harmless and many upon many puppies are born them, you are suppose to get them removed up until they are 3 days old, otherwise a vet will not do it unless they are put under for another operation such as getting them spade/nuetored. They are harmless, and very natural. Dogs are born with them because a long time ago they were needed for thick brush/woodsy type of atmosphere. Now they are really not needed, its more a less a darwin type effect that is no longer needed as dogs have become more and more domesticated. You're dog should you choose to breed it, if you feel it is a great example of your breed is completely fine, IT IS NOT A BIRTH DEFECT. Some of these animal people (who have no idea what they are talking about) on here make me sick. I was actually kind of worried when I recieved my Alfie (long haired wild bore dachshund) and found out he had one. So I talked to my vet and my breeder and I was told, as i said before, it is nothing to worry about. I called my breeder of my corgi and found out that her litter had them as well, but hers were removed before she was 3 days old, the breeder didnt mention whether she had them however. They do serve purpose, they typically don't catch on to things, but as i said that was kind of the purpose a while ago in wood areas and such to keep their ground. When they are young the nerve endings in them arent as strong as when they get older, so that is why they are removed, think circumcision(yes i went there) have a great day :) . If you should get them removed they still will not harm your dog, but as i said they really aren't a problem.
2007-06-19 19:13:53 · answer #1 · answered by statehiprep 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those are dewclaws. Please avoid pulling on them; you never know what kind of damage you can do.
After reading the other answers on here I wanted to add a few things. If this "extra toe" is on your dog's foot alongside the other toes, then yes, it is a birth defect, but doesn't need to be removed unless it is causing problems. If the toe (nail with pad) is higher up on the dog's leg then it is a dew claw. This is NOT a birth defect. My family's Australian Shepherd dog lived for 15+ years and I don't remember her dew claws ever getting caught on anything, but I suppose this depends on the level and kind of activity your dog has. The nail should be trimmed just like all the other nails. I can't believe the people on here that call themselves breeders but have never heard of a dew claw. No offense, maybe they just didn't read the question closely enough.
2007-06-17 21:49:57 · answer #2 · answered by kc_6201 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All dogs have front dewclaws and some breeds have rear dewclaws. There are several breeds of dogs that even have 6 toes (an extra dewclaw on each foot). If you were smart enough to research this you would be spreading lies of birth defects and stupidity. The Anatolian Shepard and Norwegian Lundehound just to name a few are 6 toed breeds.
2016-02-05 02:23:19 · answer #3 · answered by wakeraker3697 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just a minor birth defect. I'll bet you didn't know many humans are born that way, too! The extra digit is removed before the baby goes home. There were about one per month born with the extra finger or toe in the birthing center where I used to work.
2007-06-17 21:45:09 · answer #4 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is a minor birth defect and if you had gotten her from a good breeder they would havebeen removed within the first few days after birth.
Just waatch them as theey aften get caught on things and can gete ripped and infected.
I would speak to teh vet about having tehm removed.
Often this would be done at spaying when teh dog is already out.
it is a small birth defect but a defect this dog shouldn't be bred.And apparently not form a good breeder so please get her spayed.
2007-06-18 00:04:19 · answer #5 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my guess would be some type of birth defect.
2007-06-17 21:40:23 · answer #6 · answered by The Queen 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dog :D
i hate dooggsssssssssssssss don't take dogs in home at tooo badddddddddddddddd
2007-06-17 21:47:21 · answer #7 · answered by Razer 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋