Question about dew claws

Ruby Red · 07-20-2009, 04:45 AM

Just a quickie, as you know Ruby is my first boxer and I notice that both she and the boxer I walk have had their dew claws removed –why is this?

AussieGirl · 07-20-2009, 06:41 AM

Dew claws are removed so the dog doesn't snag or tear them off (which can be common). It is generally done when they are a few days old before the pup's bones harden and before there is a large amount of blood supply to the area. If removed later in life it is more like an amputation - personally if it's not done when they are a few days old I would avoid doing it unless they do tear it as I have heard of LONG and painful recoveries in older dogs and owners regretting they had the procedure done.

Ruby Red · 07-20-2009, 07:15 AM

Oh, I see, thanks for that info, what makes Boxers more susceptible to tearing them off then over any other breed of dog? I know they are bouncy, but so are all young dogs. Springers and Boston Terriers are pretty bouncy adults and the ones I know have their dews with no probs. Is it really necessary if the dews are kept cut short? Is it more an aesthetic thing like short tails and ears I wonder.......?

bruinsBoxers · 07-20-2009, 07:29 AM

The procedure of removing dew claws goes way back when most boxers were still working dogs and the standards were created . Dogs out doing field work , baiting and military work would get the dews snagged on things and ripped off .
Boxers use their front paws more than other breeds and because of this they were more likely to rip them off.

Having them removed at a very young age is an easy thing and the pups barely notice it done , it is usually done at the same time as tails are docked , about 3-5 days of age .At this age the pups nervous system is not fully formed and they do not feel much pain .

I have seen a ripped dew claw and it is much worse pain wise and healing time than if it was removed early .

As it is part of the standard to remove front dew claws ( boxers do not have rear dews ) all reputable breeders will have them removed from the whole litter.

AussieGirl · 07-20-2009, 07:30 AM

Certain breeds have it in their breed standard, it depends on the country they were born in too. It's not so popular over here but then ear cropping has always been banned and tail docking has been banned since 2004 over here (we seem to like them more natural and the RSPCA and animal rights groups seem to fight a pretty good fight in Aust). Some actually say that they are useful when the dog is running fast - they use them to "dig" in and get grip. I think it is one of those things where there will always be the "to remove or not remove" debate. In the US there seem to be more without dews than with. I believe dogs that are used as working/hunting dogs are more susceptible and Boxers fall into the utility group, and yes those who have their dew claws intact should take special care to keep them short to avoid any problems. Is it necessary to remove them - I think you will find HEAPS of people who will say yes and give reasons why as well as those who say no and give just as good reasons why not. Personally if my girl came with them removed it wouldn't bother me, but at the same time I'm not bothered that they're not. Oh, I just checked the Australian breed standard and it has no mention of dew claws, do you know if the UK standard states anything?

Ruby Red · 07-20-2009, 10:16 AM

Aww, very interesting – thanks for sharing, I didn’t think about the history of the breed, I guess, in a way, it’s not as essential as it used to be then as boxers are not generally used as working dogs anymore. I do notice the difference between Jakey and Ruby, particularly when they have a kong – Jakey pins his down and uses his dew to help hold it in place – poor old Rubes, she puts her foot on it but it still manages to roll all over the place!

As for the UK breed standards – nothing mentioned expressly in the guidelines, so I phoned a breed member and was told that it was traditional to do this and boxers in this country have always had dews removed. He wasn’t too sure whether it would make any difference if a boxer was shown with dews, he said it might be ‘noted,’ although, if the dog were ‘exceptional’ in all the other standards it would probably be ignored. He expects more boxers to be coming through with dews, as tail docking was only banned here in April 2006, and as you said Missi, the 2 things were usually done together. Ear cropping has always been illegal here too.