Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. They are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and friendly nature. Many people choose Golden Retrievers as their family pets because they make great companion animals.
One question that is often asked about Golden Retrievers is whether or not they have dew claws. Dew claws are extra digits that are found on the feet of some mammals, including dogs. They are typically located on the inner side of the leg, near the wrist or ankle.
While some dog breeds do have dew claws, Golden Retrievers only have them on the front paws but not on the back. The purpose of dew claws is not fully understood, but they are thought to provide extra grip and traction when walking on slippery surfaces. Some people also believe that they help to protect the leg from injury.
Other Philosophies
While there is no definitive answer as to why Golden Retrievers do not have dew claws on their back paws, it is believed that it may be due to the fact that the breed was developed for use as a hunting dog. Hunting dogs typically only need the extra traction on their front paws, since they spend most of their time running and jumping while chasing prey.
Evolution and Dew Claws
Over time, evolution brings changes to help people and animals adapt to the environment and to help them along on the changes in life. Why Golden Retrievers are different, we do not know, but there is a purpose for dogs to have dew claws.
Dogs have dew claws on the inner side of their front legs and sometimes on their back legs. The nails are usually shorter than the other nails on the feet, but they are just as sharp. They can be used for gripping and help with traction when running. Some people believe that dew claws help dogs climb trees, but this is not true.
The dew claw is thought to be a vestigial digit, meaning it does not have a function anymore. However, this is not always the case. In some breeds, the dew claw is longer and stronger and functions more like a thumb. These breeds include the Briard, Great Pyrenees, and Kuvasz.
The dew claw is also used as an insurance policy. If a dog loses a nail, the dew claw can grow back. This is not always the case, but it does happen.
Dew Claws for Running and Protection
Many people think that dew claws are just an extra claw that dogs have on their feet that looks like a thumb. However, these claws serve an important purpose for dogs, especially those that were bred for running and hunting.
The extra claw helps them when they are running as they gain ground, and it gives them sturdiness and balance on rugged terrains. The extra claw adds for an extra grip. It also provides protection for the dog’s feet when they are out in the field hunting or working.
When a dog attacks to hunt, fight, or protect itself, the extra claw is useful because it is just as sharp as the rest and adds a slight grip that can sink the claws into the prey or enemy. Think of it as the more claws, the more damage they can do, which helps man’s best friend when hunting or helps the dog when they have to fight to defend themselves.
Should the Dew Claws Be Removed?
No! Not at all. Even though some breeders and veterinarians remove the dew claws, it is a painful and unnecessary procedure that does not benefit the dog in any way. In fact, it can actually cause more harm than good.
Dew claw removal is a surgical procedure where the vet cuts or tears the skin and tissue to detach the claw from the foot. This is usually done when the puppy is two to three days old, but it can be done on older dogs as well. The problem with this surgery is that it is often done without pain relief, which means that the puppies have to endure a lot of pain during and after the surgery.
What’s more, dew claw removal can cause long-term problems for your dog. For example, it can lead to arthritis and joint problems later in life. It can also make it harder for your dog to walk and run, and it can even cause nerve damage.
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In short, there is no good reason to remove a dog’s dew claws, so if you are thinking about getting a puppy, make sure that the breeder has not removed their dew claws.
Why Were Dew Claws Removed?
For many years, it was common practice to remove dew claws from puppies before they went home with their new families. The reasons for this were twofold: first, it was thought that dew claws were unnecessary and second, it was believed that dew claws were more prone to injury.
While there is some truth to the second reason (dew claws are not as securely attached to the foot as other toes and are therefore more susceptible to being ripped or torn off), recent studies have shown that dew claws actually serve an important purpose.
Either way, there are nerves and blood vessels that go into the claw just like the others. The damage done by removing the dew claw has now come to terms it is not worth removing.
Where Did the Name Dew Claws Come From?
The dew claw got its name because it was once thought that these claws were used to collect dew from the grass. However, we now know that this is not the case. While dew claws can help a dog grip the ground, they are not actually used to collect dew.
It is believed that the term “dew claw” comes from an old English word, “dugge,” which means “to dive.” This makes sense when you think about how dew claws help a dog grip the ground and dive into their prey.
