Dew claws?

[pastel]

Hi , anyone have an opnion of removal of dew claws? not sure if I'm being stupid but I can't see any on my puppies back legs at all, what is the breed recommendation for Britain? my German bitch has them on her fronts, I have a couple of days left before I need to do them so advise would be good thanks Nicky

[weima]

Weimaraners aren't known for having back dew claws only front ones. I always take dew claws off & so does 99% of UK breeders. You could do them yourself but I advise getting the vet to do them ASAP.

[pastel]

Thanks will do tommorow..

[marjolein]

We don't remove them here on the mainland. No need to really....

[weimaranermama]

I agree with Marjolein.

[tasha]

we do have different grounds here much more dense on the shoots than I've seen in Holland.

[marjolein]

Nope, you haven't seen everything.....

[Rachel]

I actually dont like to see Dew Claws. They are a nuisance, and seeing dogs today that have them that have had problems with them as pets, I can well understand the need to have them removed. An American Cocker came in today had back dew claws, curled right round into the leg, all sore. A Kerry Blue I think the name is had a back dew claw hanging off where it had been caught. As a groomer we have to trim what we can, but they are pain, as most people dont clip these nails and they curl around, and cause pain to the dogs.

I had a Weimaraner called Sherlock who jumped up one day caught his in the carpet and ripped a shard of bone and we had to have an operation on his leg.


Rachel

[marjolein]

The problem is that if you remove them, you'll get stuck with bad quality in the end. Billy my youngest LH is from an English dad. He and a couple of his littermates have their dewclaws (obviously only on the front legs in Weimaraners) standing out a bit. Although he's used as a hunting dog in all sorts of heavy cover, he's never had problems with it, but I can imagine it will happen one day. The dewclaws of the girls are ok and ly nicely against the front leg instead of sticking.

One day you won't be able to remove them, just like the tails.....

[pastel]

My vet did say to me that soon there is legislation coming in about not removing them, I am having them done tomorrow as it is the practise over here,I did notice when i showed my bitch that we were the only one with dew claws.... although I work my bitch in heavy cover and we haven't had a problem yet but i suppose some will say yet...

[weima]

Apr 17, 2008 21:21:02 GMT 1 @marjolein said:

The problem is that if you remove them, you'll get stuck with bad quality in the end.

What do you mean Do you mean that the dew claws will give bad confirmation of a dog if they are removed

[Alkemist]

Anya has her dewclaws. We are happy with them, as like Mar says, they do not stick out at all and tidily sit against her leg. Our Springer also has dewclaws. To me I cannot understand why this is still allowed when tail docking is cruel, but hey, thats another argument. I know that when I asked Magda and Kriss whether Anya's dewclaws were removed, they just couldn't understand why I would want to do that.

I think Mar means that for years, removing dewclaws has meant that the close, tucked away dew claw will have to be bred for if thats required (I think thats what you are saying Mar). Which if more legislation comes in (haven't heard about that one) then, there will be plenty with sticky out loose (bad) dewclaws.

Nina

[marjolein]

I'll make a picture for you tomorrow Claire.

[tasha]

Its difficult when you take into consideration cultural differences. In the uk given practise is the Dock and Dew Claw and its a decision I have to make quickly. In some respects I'd rather it was done but in others I would like to see what the difference is.

Graf has both his tail and his dew claws as Anna has rightly pointed out she wanted the WHOLE dog and that is normal practise for most countries now so we have had our own debate about docking and dew claws and agree to disagree.

During a conversation I had recently I was told that if I didn't dock and dew claw then i was being irresponsible because I should care about the welfare of my puppies over the new legislation. As it is the vet that I have arranged for docking if I choose to go down that route will only dock those puppies that have a shotgun certificate from their owners so it might be a moot point for some of the people on my list. I have told anyone whose made a pet home enquiry that if a puppy is available it will have its tail on but I am not sure about dew claws as most are too lazy to cut them.

[weima]

You should change your vet Tasha! I was the one that had to produce the evidence that my bitch was worked and I had letters from owners stating they were likely to work their pup. All pups in the litter were docked and some are in pet homes now

[tasha]

I struggled to find one good vet locally most of the ones that I would normally have approached will no longer do it my own practise won't do the dew claws either although my personal vet would love to he hates tails and dew claws on good german working dogs.

I now have two on standby but both have asked that I produce proof that the pups will be worked thats going to be hard to do for most people. I have to admit after having Graf for his holidays I am really not that fussy about docking his tail is a benefit but its a good strong tail not a whippety type at all. I never thought I would feel have that opinion.

I am however fighting a bit of a losing battle neither my stud dog owner or my partner want the tails or dew claws removed both have given me a lecture on it and I am a bit of a hypocrite getting bonnies pups done when Ayla has hers intact and has never had a problem. Not my choice she was the only one in the litter the vet missed, she does have her tail docked though.

Whatever I decide it will be in the next couple of days and i will have to live with the decision either way. Always a tough topic.