Do Corgis Have Dew Claws & Is It Typical? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
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While the short answer to the question of whether or not Corgis have dew claws is a resounding yes, the long answer is a bit more complicated. That’s because often veterinarians and breeders will remove declaws for debatable reasons.
We’ll break down everything you need to know here, including why Corgis and other dogs have dew claws in the first place, and why some breeders and veterinarians will remove a dog’s dew claws even if there’s nothing wrong with them.
Do Corgis Have Dew Claws?
Yes! Corgis have dew claws on both of their front paws, but they don’t have dew claws on their rear paws.
If you’re trying to think about what a dew claw is to a dog, it can be helpful to think of it as a thumb. But the truth is, that explanation only takes you so far. That’s because while humans use their thumbs for a wide array of reasons, the dew claw has far limited purposes.
While the dew claw isn’t quite as versatile as the human thumb, that doesn’t mean it’s completely useless.
Should You Remove Corgi Dew Claws?
According to PetMD, you should not have your Corgi’s dew claws removed unless there is a legitimate medical indication to do so1.
These conditions include cancerous tumors around the dew claw, but they’re relatively rare. PetMD does note that some veterinarians prophylactically remove loosely attached dew claws to prevent possible injury, but the actual medical advantage of this is still up for debate.
A final reason that some breeders will choose to remove a dog’s dew claws is that it “improves” their appearance in the show ring. This is a highly controversial practice, but it’s a reason many breeders choose to remove dew claws from puppies when they’re under 5 days old.
Why Do Dogs Have Dew Claws?
While some breeders and uninformed individuals will tell you that there is no medical reason for a dew claw, that’s simply not the case. The dew claw may help your dog get a little extra traction when they’re running or when they’re turning while traveling at high speeds or on specific terrain. Moreover, many dogs use their dew to help hold objects while they’re trying to chew on them. Dogs that climb trees can in part use their dew claws to help with this, too.
Do All Dogs Have Dew Claws?
All dogs have front dew claws, but not all dogs have rear dew claws. Corgis do not have rear dew claws. In fact, only a few dog breeds have rear dew claws.
Some of the breeds with rear dew claws include the St. Bernard, Icelandic Sheepdog, Briard, and the Great Pyrenees. However, dogs with rear dew claws typically only have them attached to the skin only, not by bone.
Summing Up
If you’re looking at your Corgi and can’t find their front dew claws, it’s because a breeder or a vet already removed them. But if you notice your Corgi does have their dew claws intact, there may not be a good medical reason to remove them.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Corgi’s dew claws, we recommend reaching out to your local vet for further advice about what is best for your Corgi.
Featured Image Credit: Ron Lach, Pexels
