Pets

Puppy dewclaw removal: Should you remove dewclaws from your Havanese dog?

This is a question that is asked more frequently. The spur is the small “fifth” claw that grows higher on the leg than the others. Unlike the other four claws that have constant contact with the ground, this claw sometimes appears not to touch the ground when the dog is standing. However, it does make contact with the ground while the dog is running.

Some Havanese breeders will have a vet remove the dewclaws from their puppies when they are only a few days old as part of their general health procedure. These breeders and their social circles have tried to label this as a healthy and responsible practice.

The reason for this is that dewclaw removal has been perceived by some to offer benefits for both the health and safety of dogs. Dewclaws have been seen as a weak claw that can sometimes become loose and partially detach or catch on objects while the dog is running. The logic is that removing the dewclaws eliminates these dangers. However, there is still a wide and very legitimate debate as to the validity of the claim that removing the spur is healthy for your Havanese.

As a dog breeder for over 14 years, I have personally never had any negative problems stemming from dewclaws. In my opinion, dewclaws should not be removed as a general practice. There are always situations where dewclaw removal may be necessary for individual dogs, but as a universal practice it can ultimately cause more harm than good.

In fact, new research shows that removing dewclaws can cause long-term damage to your Havanese and promote health problems such as joint laxity and arthritis.

The following excerpt from Dr. Zink is very applicable to the Havanese breed as Havanese are well known for their ‘running like crazy’ activity and are commonly used in agility competitions …

“…. The spurs have the important function of reducing the torque applied to the front legs, especially when the dogs are turning at a gallop … Without the gripping action of the dog’s” thumbs “there is more tension in the carpal ligaments. This can cause the ligaments to stretch and tear over time, leading to joint laxity and ultimately arthritis. ” (excerpt from the article “Dogs in Canada” by Chris Zink DVM., Ph.D)

For more information on Havanese dogs, visit KASE Havanese at http://www.kasehavanese.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *