Claws Of A Dog
By kukkad
@kukkad (511)
India
January 19, 2008 9:10pm CST
I was cleaning and brushing my Labrador last weekend and noticed something which made me think.
It is not that I have not noticed it before, but this time when I noticed it I was much more in a thinking mode.
The Claws on the Hind legs of Dogs have, above the normal set of claws a single claw that is shorter and smaller than the rest.
I was wondering why is that for. Maybe, it used to be something that the Dogs must be using before and then, they Adapted and what we see now is an adapted claw that they Dogs do not use anymore.
I would love if you guys have something else to give inputs on this.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
20 Jan 08
That claw is not on all breeds. It is called a dew claw. It is thought, as you said, to havebeen an adaptation of certain breeds of dogs. Many mountain breeds have them. Great Pyrinees, Saint Bernard, New Foundland. Those all have a dew claw. It makes sense if you think about a dog in the wild having to climb rugged terrain.
4 people like this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
20 Jan 08
you dog has a "dew" claw in the back foot?
I had a friend who's border collie mix had that & it had to be surgically removed because it got infected.
it is normal for dogs, like cats, to have the 5th toe on the front leg, but seldom on the back.
All animals started from a 5 toed creature and the extra toes have gone away. Horses walk on their middle toe nail but they have remenants in the form of hard skin spots on the fetlock & upper leg.
so, yes, it is a toe they no longer use, and does sometimes get caught on things so keep an eye on it for problems.
4 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
20 Jan 08
well, im pleased about that i was checking him, but no, no stray claw here
blessed be
3 people like this
@SixPaulEleven (552)
• United States
20 Jan 08
All dogs have claws just as all humans have fingernails. Dog claws are just that -- claws. And I've seen more damage done by a dog and his claws than a cat and her claws. I've got both dogs and cats and my dogs do more damage with their claws than my cats do with theirs. The dogs dig up the back yard. The cats just shred their scratching posts.
2 people like this
@eshaan (6188)
• India
20 Jan 08
Hey Kukkad,
i was not there for long time. And when i saw discussion ur username made me remember your Avatar.....hahahahaha...i liked it very much. I don't know much about this thing which u have mentioned friend, but i think you are very much interested in dogs. Keep your hobby up friend, i wish you all good luck !!!
3 people like this
@SixPaulEleven (552)
• United States
20 Jan 08
It's a dew claw. All 3 of my labs have both front and back dew claws. They can be removed, but I find that very inhumane so as long as they are not causing any problems or causing pain, I just leave it alone. All of my dogs are natural -- except that they're all sterilized. I don't believe in cosmetic alterations of dogs just because that is how one is supposed to look IE ear cropping or tail docking.
2 people like this
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
20 Jan 08
Yes that is a dew claw, and not really necessary. Most people have them removed, they can get caught on things and be injured. Usually they are removed when the dogs are just a few weeks old. We had them removed on our litter as recommended by the vet.
