dew claw

[piercedgoddess]

I have a puppy that we got from a neighbour, (She was about 6 months old when the neighbour seen a guy in a pickup truck pull over in front of their house, bring the dog out, cut the leash she was attached to, and drive away, leaving the poor puppy in the middle of the road, running after the truck, crying. My mom just happened to be driving by dropped in to the neighbours house as they were calling the SPCA.) shes only a few months older now, about 8 or 9 months, and I noticed she had a dew claw on each of her paws. I never seen this on any dog, only on the back paws, never on the front. Its on the side, and is so floppy, it can be turned or bent completely the other way. I read somehwere that it should be removed cuz if they run and slide against the ground, it can rip off and hurt tham badly. (BTW my dog is a rotweiler mix, probably mixed with german shepherd but looks fully rotweiler.) We think that the other people got rid of her cuz she was small and cuddly at the tim, and grew too big, or because she was meant for a guard dog, but was too friendly. I think the latter is more likely, because when we brought her home, (I walked her home about a mile) she was jumping all over my with muddy paws, very excited, and when we tried to bring her in the house, it was as if she was scared to step on the smooth tile floor, and was used to only the ground.
So does anyone have any suggestions for her claws? Ill try to post a pic later.

[sheplovr]

God put them there for a purpose not be be removed unless you show only.

[SalemWitchChild]

I've never had the dew claws removed though it is true that they can rip them out. IT is normal for them to have the dew claws in front too.

[BratBoxers]

I wouldnt have them remove now. More than likely they will be fine just inspect them every now and then to make sure they are not hurt.

[barnjess]

well dew claws can be different, some have bone in and are srtong but others are floppy and have just tissue in these can be ripped off more easily, is she spayed? because iff not then I would talk to your vet about them being removed while she is under, its really up to you, but I hasve seen a lot of injurys caused by leaving them on

[piercedgoddess]

Originally Posted by sheplovr

God put them there for a purpose not be be removed unless you show only.

Im only thinking about it for safety sake. I dont believe in painfully altering a dogs appearance for show anyways...id hate to remove them jut to show them, and docking tails and ear clipping...is stupid. our rottweiler doesnt even have her tail docked...its wierd to see one with its full tail, and she bangs it against everything lol. Im against hurting them just to show them.

[piercedgoddess]

and no she is not spayed, and yes, it is a floppy one, no bone in it as far as i can see

[barnjess]

well like I said ist up yo you but I would have it removed when she is spayed, i have jacks and because of the digging and work they would rip it off in no time, i have some with dew claws but that are strong with bone in and so far the only probs I have had is from floppy ones

[micki]

I had a mix years ago that had a dew claw that grew in a circle, had that removed because if I forgot to clip it it would imbed itself in the foot, had it done and didn't remove the other it grew straight,no problems at all.