They can also help your dog climb a steep or uneven hillside or slope (so they can be helpful if your Dachshund hikes like mine do). This is especially common in colder climates. The dew claw can also help to grip onto ice or the shoreline if a dog falls into the water and needs to climb free. It also helps your dog balance and provides traction when moving across a variety of different surfaces, allowing them to move faster and more confidently. This helps to strengthen and support the wrist when your dog is running or walking, preventing unwanted injuries. The location of the dew claw serves an important purpose by stabilizing your dog’s wrist. But your Dachshund’s dew claws provide many benefits. This “extra” claw may not look like much, sitting on the inner part of your dog’s paws. These rear dew claws are almost always removed shortly after birth both for the breed standard and to prevent future injuries. In the cases where rear dew claws are present, they are considered an anomaly. Which paws have a dew claw?ĭachshunds are almost always born with front dew claws. If you’ve never seen a Dachshund that still has their dew claws, this may come as a surprise. Like most dogs, Dachshunds are usually born with dew claws. However, as we learned more about dogs and how their bodies work, scientists and veterinarians have discovered that dogs can use their dew claws in several ways in their daily lives including for balance and traction. In the past, it was believed that the dew claw had no actual purpose. Unlike the other toes, the dew claw doesn’t bear any weight when your dog is standing, which leaves many dog owners wondering: What are dew claws? What is a dew claw for? Do they serve any purpose for your dog? These dew claws are often only attached by skin and are easier to remove but are also more prone to injuries. But, if you look closer, you will notice that there is an actual digit, or toe, as well.Ī dog’s dew claw can be either attached or detached.Īn attached dew claw has a bone in it, allowing it to fuse and attach to the bones in your dog’s paw.Ī detached dew claw does not have a bone. It sits slightly higher than the rest of your dog’s toes on the inside of the leg.Īt first glance, most dog owners notice only the claw. Dew claw removal was once a common practice in the United States.īut, as we learn more about the purpose of the dew claw and how it is used in their daily lives, many veterinarians are choosing not to perform this procedure unless there is an injury.īut what is a dew claw and what role does it play in your Dachshund’s regular routine? What Are Dew Claws?Ī dog’s dew claw is the fifth digit on a dog’s paws similar to a thumb or big toe.
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