Why is it that doberman breeders declaw their puppies ?

Question

It seems like a must in the breeding community to declaw the doberman. Docking i can understand. I'm not too much of a fan of ear cropping... but declawing ... soundz kinda painful.

Answer 1

I am assuming you are referring to the removal of the dewclaw digit.

Dewclaws are like thumbs. They are the first digit on a dog, and are not used for walking. They are located a short distance up the leg on the inside surface. They are usually removed at 2 to 5 days of age. At this age, the bones that make up the toes are tiny and soft so that snipping them off is easy.

The argument for removal states that dewclaws are a weak digit, barely attached to the leg, so they can rip partway off or easily catch on something and break, which can be painful and prone to infection.

In America, pups in MANY breeds are commonly sold by breeders "dewclawed," that is with the dewclaws removed (as by a vet) for perceived health and safety reasons.

FYI -- removing dewclaws from an adult animal is much more difficult than snipping them off of a recently born puppy. Recovery time is also longer and many adult animals will bother the incision excessively because it is so easy to reach. This usually necessitates the use of an Elizabethan collar, a funnel shaped plastic device that surrounds the animal's head, so that it cannot lick or chew its sutures out.

The debate should really be, do them early or do them later -- with greater affect.

Answer 2

I wouldn't - I would ask the breeder to leave everything exactly as nature intended them to be, I know enough to work around any of the 'problems' people want to conveniently side-step by declawing.

Answer 3

The only claws removed are the dewclaws in the rear for show purposes, as well as the fact that these are usually loose, floppy things that easily get caught in fur, carpet, and weeds, resulting in a painful tearing off of the dewclaw later in life. Some breeders also remove the dews in the front, but it isn't required in any breed I know of. I don't because they are useful to the dog.

Answer 4

No Doberman breeder I know does that. I think what your think about is removal of the rear dew claws. Most breeders do this to any breed of dog where the dew claws are present.

Answer 5

Do you mean removing their deWclaws?? This is not the same as declawing.

Answer 6

I LOVE DOGS BUT WHEN THEY HAVE TO BE DECLAWED IT IS FOR A REASON. DECLAWING A DOG IS JUST YOUR DOG GETTING LIKE PEOPLE GETTING THEIR FINGER NAILS CUT, DECLAWING IS DOGS GETTING THEIR PAW NAILS CUT.