dew claws

[skycat 6,173]

The following was written by a vet in Canada......

 

In the last several years, while doing sports-medicine consultations for performance dogs across Canada and the United States, I have seen many canine athletes with carpal arthritis. Interestingly, this condition is much more common in dogs that have had their front dewclaws removed. To understand why, it is helpful to understand the structure of the carpus. This joint consists of seven bones that fit together like fieldstones that are used to build the walls of a house

 

The carpus joins to the radia and ulnar bones (equivalent to our lower arm), and to the metacarpal bones (equivalent to our hand). Each bone of the carpus has a convex or concave side that matches a curve on the adjacent bone. Unlike the bones of the elbow, for example.

 

The elbow bones have ridges that slide into interlocking grooves the bones of the carpus do not have ridges that slide into interlocking grooves on the adjacent bone. The relatively loose fit of the carpal bones is supported by ligaments that join each of the carpal bones to the adjacent bones.

 

With so many carpal bones that don't tightly interlock with the adjacent bones, the ligaments of this joint can be easily stretched and even torn when torque (twisting) is applied to the leg. The dewclaws have the important function of reducing the torque that is applied to the front legs, especially when dogs are turning at a canter (the main gait used in agility).

 

In the canter, there is a moment during each stride when the dog's accessory carpal pad (on the back of the carpus) of the lead front leg touches the ground and the rear legs and other front leg swing forward to prepare for the next stride. At this point, the dewclaw is in contact with the ground and if the dog turns, the dewclaw can dig in for extra traction to prevent unnecessary torque on the front leg. Without the gripping action of the dog's 'thumbs’ there is more stress on the ligaments of the carpus. This may cause the ligaments to stretch and tear over time, resulting in joint laxity and ultimately, arthritis.

 

Food for thought?

[sniffer 167]

Get them off they cause nothing but pain to the dog if run hard and headache and day's off to the owner , a pair of sharp nail clipper's just below the wick a 2 second job and save you alot of aggrow

[bill88 6]

I thought the dew claws were there for hunting,ie getting a hold of the arse end of the prey.Dew claws grow in a tight curve (a hook).If you watch wolves hunting moose etc,they will pull it down from the rear by hanging on to it with the dew claws,and if partly subdued there teeth.None of my old mans lurchers were dew clawed,but it seems to be the done thing nowadays.I've only ever seen one dog go lame from damaging dew claws,but i've seen dozens laid off with damaged feet.My brother had a whippetxgrey,that spent most of its time limping on all fours after a nights lamping.

No doubt,theres an argument for and against.I have noticed a lot of running dogs over the pond,have dew claws,but wear boot's,whats the deal over there? is it illegal?

[Guest tawny]

I thought the dew claws were there for hunting,ie getting a hold of the arse end of the prey.Dew claws grow in a tight curve (a hook).If you watch wolves hunting moose etc,they will pull it down from the rear by hanging on to it with the dew claws,and if partly subdued there teeth.None of my old mans lurchers were dew clawed,but it seems to be the done thing nowadays.I've only ever seen one dog go lame from damaging dew claws,but i've seen dozens laid off with damaged feet.My brother had a whippetxgrey,that spent most of its time limping on all fours after a nights lamping.

No doubt,theres an argument for and against.I have noticed a lot of running dogs over the pond,have dew claws,but wear boot's,whats the deal over there? is it illegal?

bill your getting very close when you say (getting hold of the arse end of pray mate ).

arse end is the big clue, and it got nothing to do with hunting

[bill88 6]

bill your getting very close when you say (getting hold of the arse end of pray mate ).

arse end is the big clue, and it got nothing to do with hunting

 

 

Right is that what there for Mind me asking where you got this info from mate.Never heard that one before,but it could well be right.

Edited October 3, 2007 by bill88

[skycat 6,173]

bill your getting very close when you say (getting hold of the arse end of pray mate ).

arse end is the big clue, and it got nothing to do with hunting

 

 

Right is that what there for Mind me asking where you got this info from mate.Never heard that one before,but it could well be right.

 

I really don't see how, because when a dog/wolf whatever mates a female its front paws are tucked round inside her hind legs, and with the dew claws being on the inside of the leg that means they are then not clutching at anything but thin air: believe me I've bred enough litters to know! Plus, if the claws were able to dig into the thin skin on the inside of the bitch's legs then she'd be pretty unhappy about it! Think about it.

[montague 0]

If all else fails...just cut your neighbour's thumbs off!

Better still chop his knackers off Nosey git

[Guest tawny]

bill your getting very close when you say (getting hold of the arse end of pray mate ).

arse end is the big clue, and it got nothing to do with hunting

 

 

Right is that what there for Mind me asking where you got this info from mate.Never heard that one before,but it could well be right.

it his right mate it clicked when i sid the arse end dident it

[Guest tawny]

bill your getting very close when you say (getting hold of the arse end of pray mate ).

arse end is the big clue, and it got nothing to do with hunting

 

 

Right is that what there for Mind me asking where you got this info from mate.Never heard that one before,but it could well be right.

 

I really don't see how, because when a dog/wolf whatever mates a female its front paws are tucked round inside her hind legs, and with the dew claws being on the inside of the leg that means they are then not clutching at anything but thin air: believe me I've bred enough litters to know! Plus, if the claws were able to dig into the thin skin on the inside of the bitch's legs then she'd be pretty unhappy about it! Think about it.

in a way your right skycat but in thewild you may have as many as a ten dogs after on bitch.

all waiting for a turn and the dog has to first mount the bitch,pull her against him ie (dewclaws) and make sure he aint

knocked off by another dog.

so there you go

[gnipper 6,435]

In the wild only the alpha pair would be breeding.

So why do some have them on the back legs then, feckin orgies??? My mate has a terrier with two claws on each back leg that looks like he's got a magpies foot stuck to his leg, one goes forward the other backwards both from the same place. that for S&M?

[Guest flint]

In the wild only the alpha pair would be breeding.

So why do some have them on the back legs then, feckin orgies??? My mate has a terrier with two claws on each back leg that looks like he's got a magpies foot stuck to his leg, one goes forward the other backwards both from the same place. that for S&M?

back dew claws are to help em get their fetish gear on