what does dewclawed mean?

Answer 1

I think it means that the dew claws were removed. These are the ones up away from the paw a bit, on the inside of the dog's legs.

Answer 2

Dewclaws may be Bilateral (both legs) or Unilateral (only one leg) although most breeds seem to have bilateral front dewclaws. Rear dewclaws are not as common and are often removed from infant pups when they are present. If the dog is called dewclawed it usually means it's had them removed. (Some breed standards even require it)
Although they can cause problems especially if they are very loosely attached, in some dogs they make contact with the ground when running. If they don't they need to be clipped regularly.

Some people seem to be mistaking it with DE-clawed which is the cruel practise (now banned in the UK) of removing a cats claws! For no better reason than saving owners the trouble of teaching the cat where scratching is NOt allowed and the minor expense of a scratching post if it is an indoor pet.

Answer 3

If you meant to say declawed that refers to the cruel practice of having a cats claws removed.


Dewclaws on the other hand are a dogs fifth toe which is located part way up the dog's leg. Some dogs have dewclaws on both front and back legs.

Alot of times unless restricted by the breed standard, breeders will have dewclaws removed when the pups are only a few days old. This prevents them from catching on something and getting ripped off.


***Kelly, I'm pretty sure Katherine is referance to the kennel club is the British version of AKC which is simply The Kennel Club. Many overseas countries have outlawed the practices of tail docking and ear cropping, as well as declawing cats. In the U.S. it is still very common practice and is still allowed. Although the AKC is starting to let dogs in their "natural" state compete in conformation, it is a slow process.

Answer 4

The dewclaw is a small almost pad-like claw about half way up a dog's front legs. Its an unnecessary appendage. Many breeds have large dewclaws that tend to catch on things, tearing them and causing pain and blood loss. Many vets will recommend getting them removed for this reason.

Answer 5

normally means the dewclaws have been removed from a pup at a few hours old (either by string or scissors which is meant to be painless)
the dewclaw in located on the upper part of the foot and is removed because it rarely touches the ground making less like to wear down naturally

Answer 6

A dewclaw is like the thumb on a dog. Dogs are usually born with dewclaws on both front limbs and sometime on one or both rear limbs.
Sometimes, because they are not with the rest of the "fingers" on the paw, they can get stuck on things or hit on things and get damaged, or even painfully torn off.
Because of this, and sometimes because of breed standards, many dogs have their dewclaws removed shortly after birth. Usually a guillotine-type doggie nail trimmer is used by a veterinarian to clip the digit off at its base.
So if a dog is dewclawed, it means that they have had the dewclaws removed. (Often, but not always, these dogs have also had their tails shortened or "docked")

Answer 7

The dewclaws are higher up on a dog/cat's leg, almost like a human thumb. It has a toe pad, and a claw on it. Some breeders "dewclaw" their dogs when they are just tiny pups, by removing the extra claw.

Answer 8

The dewclaws are like human thumbs and are sited on the inside of the leg, in most pedigree breeds the dew claws ae removed at 1/2 days old to ensure that they do not cause a problem at a later date...Recent legislation from the kennel club does not allow you to dock any longer but you can still have the dew claws removed.

Answer 9

On the dogs paws there is a claw that is higher and doesn't usually touch the ground when the dog walks so it doesn't wear itself down like the others claws. So sometimes you can have the dewclaws removed.

Answer 10

Dogs have a claw that is a little further up there leg. Dewclawed means that it has been permanently removed.

Answer 11

Think you've heard it wrong! Dew claws are the claws situated on the lower inside front legs of both cats and dogs and are totally seperate from their normal claws at the front of their feet! These are sometimes removed from both cats and dogs either by the breeder ( ouch - hurts - doesn't need to be done! ) or by a vet because they've been ripped off either in a fight or an accident. They don't serve any real purpose on either animal but they are parts of their bodies they are born with and should be left alone unless they cause a problem for the animal later in life. Declawed is a totally different ball game and should be outlawed immediately. Its what horrible people do to cats that they have paid a lot of money for ie a pedigree cat and they do not want their cat scratching their precious furniture!!! It involves putting a cat to sleep for an hour and pulling their claws out with surgical pliers but if the nail is young ( as they obviously are on kittens! ) the 'vet' will have to dig them out with a scalpel. As you can imagine, this causes untold pain and suffering to the cat or kitten and then means that they can never defend themselves in a fight! I do not know of any proper vet that would carry out this procedure but then again, a lot of unscrupulous vets have their own practises and price! I hope that clears it up for you.