[amontague]

I talked to my vet about rear dewclaws when I was having Baby Bear neutered (he was a rescue, 17 months old). She said it wasn't a problem removing them, especially since he'd be under anyway, but that the only time she had seen a dewclaw torn was 1) when the dog was tied out on a rope or chain and got it caught; or 2) when a dog spent a lot of time hiking off-trail and got it caught on something. Because Baby Bear is a suburban dog, I chose to leave all 4 dewclaws intact, I just wish he original owners had left his tail undocked.