4 toes and 1 dew claw on each front paw = 10 nails total up front on paws. I love spending time with my dog and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise of all things dogs on this site! The extra rear toenails may have given these large canines better traction and stability for working in the rough, snowy terrain and icy environments they were bred for. Dog. My Male German Shepard, Diesel, is about 10 months old. Any advice for me??? I suppose this is because I had to, having had first-hand experiences! Its fairly common for a least a few pups being born with single rear dew claws and best to cut off by 4 days old whats more uncommon is to see in german shepherd pups born with double rear dew claws meaning 2 dewclaws on each rear leg and then some pups could be born with only a dew single dewclaw on only 1 rear leg. I have to confess, for a first-time German Shepherd owner, I didn’t know much about them at first but I have learned along the way. German Shepherds originated in Germany and were bred to herd sheep and other livestock. At this time the bone is still soft and very little pain is felt by the pup. Breeders of conformation dogs also believe that the absence of a dew claw makes the legs appear straighter when viewed from the front. If you think of the rear dewclaws as being the big toes in the canine world however these tend to only be attached by a flap of skin and tissue in contrast to being attached to the bone in front dewclaws. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Anonymous. A dew claw injury is even more prevalent in dogs because unlike other nails; they do not weaken or wear down.Dogs do not use claws (or dewclaws) when they walk. I found this interesting report from Dr. Chris Zink from Canine Sports Productions who is a specialist in veterinary pathology and veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation. Some dog breeds are required to have dewclaws in order to be eligible to participate in dog shows. In my adult dog’s case, the vet recommended removal due to the fracture. Caring for Your Dutch Shepherd Dog’s Feet Do German shepherds have dew claws. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to World of Dogz with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. At high speeds (especially when turning) or on slippery surfaces, these dewclaws provide extra traction and help stabilize the carpal (wrist) joint. Some breeds, for example, the Briard, Icelandic Sheepdog, and the Beauceron are required to have their rear dewclaws intact for showing purposes. All dogs breeds have dewclaws on their front legs and they are a normal part of a dog’s anatomy. He inevitably always tears up his carpal pads (paw pads at the back of the front legs near dew claws). This to me has an open interpretation, indicating that Aussies can/occasionally do have rear dew claws. She had to be sedated whilst the vet trimmed her dewclaw right back as far as possible. Depending on the damage done and your views on removal the vet may either trim the nail back (as in my German Shepherd’s case as a puppy) or completely remove the damaged dewclaw. Dogs with double dewclaws. My dogs dew claw pad is like cut in half like someone took a knife from the bottom of her dew claw and pushed up on the knife. So that got me thinking about the whole dog dewclaw debate…. They use the rear dewclaw for stability and grip in rough terrain, mountainous regions, or in snowy and icy conditions. German Shepherds can also use their dewclaws to grasp objects better, for example, food, or when chewing on a bone or toy or playing with a ball. I know she was in considerable pain as she would not let me nor the vet anywhere near her! I’m sharing with you my personal experiences as a German Shepherd owner and all the research that I’ve found. Don’t worry, she was back on her paws in no time! 0 1. Feet are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. A German Shepherd’s front dewclaws have several functions including grip and stability when running: When dogs run, their front feet often bend to the point where their dewclaws come in contact with the ground. Extremely active dogs, such as German Shepherds, may wear down their nails, including their dewclaws, so that nail trims are not necessary but for most dogs, especially the less active, regular trims are needed. It will not decrease the value of the pups at all. Surgery may be done with a local anesthetic if the digit is not well connected to the leg as in rear dewclaws. To trim your Germa shepherd nails, you need a nail clipper (preferably a guillotine type), files, grinder, styptic powder, emergency kits, and your dog’s favorite treats, then follow the steps below as you read further. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'worldofdogz_com-leader-4','ezslot_15',118,'0','0'])); Opinions on German Shepherd dewclaw removal will always be divided and this can vary amongst veterinarians, reputable breeders, and dog-lovers. United States Australian Shepherd Association. 1 decade ago. ANSWER: For show German Shepherds, dewclaws in the front legs are accepted. German Shepherd Dog - a 3-word proper noun in which each word requires a capital initial, giving GSD as the abbreviation. 0 1. However, their physical and mental development is slow relative to other similar breeds (e.g. In the house environment, German Shepherd dewclaws can easily snag on carpets or get caught on furniture. 20 nails are the best one. Do Male or Female German Shepherds Make Better Pets? 10 front toes & nails and 8 hind toes & nails is normal in most breeds. Here’s a photo of my GSD feeling sorry for herself after I brought her home from the vets just a few hours after her operation. Historically, they keep their front dew claws because these “ice picks” help them climb out of icy water. According to the UK Kennel Club, the removal of a dog’s dewclaws is not currently illegal in the UK, however, this is what they say: “The Kennel Club’s position is that it does not support the cosmetic removal of dewclaws. Therefore, they can become overgrown when owners forget to trim them. One of your priorities will be to get your pup house trained, and... German Shepherd vs. King Shepherd: What's the Difference? How Much Does it Cost to Get a Dog’s Dewclaw Removed? Willow Online Publishing is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Pain relief and antibiotics are usually prescribed. Source(s): Owner of dog. Ultimate Guide to House Training. To preventing disease, e.g. The Whippet puppies have their front dew claws removed, the vets advise this because whippets are prone to catching & tearing them if not. Some dogs can also have dewclaws on their hind legs and this includes the German Shepherd, although this is rare. Those German Shepherd breeders that have their puppies dewclaws removed within their first few days will say that it helps to prevent injuries should the dewclaw become torn or damaged. Ultimate Guide to House Training. A dewclaw on the inside of each front leg is the norm in English Shepherds, as it is in all domestic dogs. Because front dewclaws serve an important purpose, they should not be removed unless there is a very good reason to do so. However, opinion is divided and some breeders remove puppies’ front dewclaws in their first few days to prevent possible injuries or to improve appearance in future show dogs. It is believed that dewclaws are a barely attached to the foot. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.World of Dogz is to be used for educational and informational purposes only. I offer a lifetime of help & support throughout your dogs life. German and other large shepherds): they are not mentally or physically mature until the age of about three years, so their training should not be rushed. My German Shepherd was fully healed in 3 weeks and back to her usual self running through the woods and fields with not a care in the world. i recommend you take her to the vet as soon as you can. Over the summer when we were in the sand, I ended up taping them but the adhesive doesn’t hold in the snow. It is believed that dewclaws are a barely attached to the foot.. Some of these breeds are the Briard, the Great Pyrenees, and the Beauceron. The bandages were removed after a week. They are ranked the 2nd most popular dog in the US and 8th in the UK. Removing your German Shepherd’s dewclaws is an amputation at the end of the day and unless they are removed within the first few days of birth, a general anesthetic will always be required. Unauthorized use of this material without express and written permission is strictly prohibited. The dog’s front dewclaws may also help them when climbing, for example, to help them to climb out of the water if they’ve fallen through broken ice, or when climbing rough terrain, or to help grasp the bark when climbing trees in some hunting breeds. Very few working line breeders cut front dew claws off. Luckily I had pet insurance and was able to make a claim. Usually, in some cases they have dew claws in their rear feet otherwise they have it in their front paws. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'worldofdogz_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',111,'0','0'])); To make things more interesting, some breeds even have double dewclaws! It’s advisable that you get your German Shepherd used to grooming right from being a puppy if possible, so it becomes a routine he knows and loves. Sedbergh 13 weeks old. This site is not intended to constitute pet medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for your pet. A German Shepherd’s front dewclaws have several functions including grip and stability when running: When dogs run, their front feet often bend to the point where their dewclaws come in contact with the ground. This site is owned and operated by Willow Online Publishing. If a German Shepherd breeder chooses to remove puppies’ dewclaws then the procedure should be done 1-3 days after birth. 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