When a dog’s dewclaw is torn or broken, the “quick” of the nail is often left exposed. Broken dewclaws can be quite bloody for such a small toe, but the amount of blood often depends on how severely the nail is broken. Therefore, torn or broken dewclaws are common in highly active dogs. The most common dewclaw issues include: Torn or broken dewclawsĭewclaws can easily become snagged during play or work due to their position on the inside of the leg. Even if your dog isn’t showing it, if you notice they have a dewclaw injury, it is likely causing them a lot of pain. Keep in mind that some dogs are very stoic and may mask signs of pain. Any of these signs mean that your dog should see a veterinarian. Signs of a dewclaw injury include limping, bleeding, excessive licking, swelling or warmth around the toe, and yelping or flinching when you touch the affected limb. The dewclaws are injured more frequently than other dog claws. When this happens, the dewclaw digs into the ground, preventing the rest of the limb from twisting. Research even suggests that the dewclaws contact the ground when dogs are running at high speeds ( 2). Dogs also use their front dewclaw for digging and to provide traction as they hoist themselves up onto raised surfaces, like the couch or even over fences. In fact, dogs regularly use them to grasp and stabilize toys or treats while chewing. Front dewclaws are actually useful to dogs who have them. However, on occasion, they can also have a bony attachment.Ĭontrary to popular belief, front dewclaws are not simply extra appendages. More often than not, rear dewclaws are only attached by skin or a small tendon and are much more mobile and tend to flop around. The front dewclaw is typically a fully formed toe, meaning that it has bones and is firmly attached to the limb. The Norwegian Lundehund, a rare dog breed, boasts at least six toes on each foot! ( 1) Certain breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherds, will have a double dewclaw, meaning that they have two extra toes on the back feet.

Almost all dogs have dewclaws on their front paws, but some will also have dewclaws on their hind limbs.

The dewclaw is the small, non-weight-bearing toe on the inside of a dog’s front or back leg. Some dogs, however, may also have a dewclaw, or even two dewclaws, on their back paws.Īs fate would have it, the toe that’s smallest in size turns out to be the one that causes dogs-and their humans-the most trouble. It could be as few as 16 or as many as 24! Most dogs have five toes on their front paws (four weight-bearing toes and a little toe, commonly called the dewclaw) and four toes on their rear paws. How many toes does your dog have? It may surprise you to learn that the answer varies from dog to dog.

Dew claw dog