Dew claws?

[Candie]

Zeus still has his dew claws, (Im pretty sure thats what they are ) Well anyways I do ocassionally trim his front nails, but I havent ever trimmed his dew claw b4, they are VERY sharp too, and I would like to know is it safe to trim them down a tad too? Thanx

[Willabeast]

Yes, by all mean trim them, if you use a dromel tool you will run much less risk of cutting into him. These claws should have been removed as a very young pup, though it can be done later. It is just a more involved operation as they have attached to the bone. These sharp little claws can become a real problem catching on carpets, and if they really hook onto something it can cause a nasty rip into the dogs leg.

[Judi W]

It is perfectly acceptable for Rottweilers to retain their front dew claws (see the standard) and all of mine have always had them.

They should be trimmed at the same time you do all the other nails.

[rottsnroses]

Front dew claws are not normally a problem if kept properly trimmed. Both Max and Luna have them, and they use them like thumbs. Although initially I was non-plussed by them, now I wouldn't have them any other way.

Rear dew claws do tend to catch on things as they aren't attached like the fronts and can tear. These should be removed at the same time the tails are docked

[leonberger]

Originally Posted by rottsnroses

Front dew claws are not normally a problem if kept properly trimmed. Both Max and Luna have them, and they use them like thumbs. Although initially I was non-plussed by them, now I wouldn't have them any other way.

Rear dew claws do tend to catch on things as they aren't attached like the fronts and can tear. These should be removed at the same time the tails are docked

Anyone importing from European countries will find that a lot of these countries no longer allow the dew claws to be removed, tails dockes, ears croped.

[Candie]

Some people have there rotties ears cropped? Or do you mean other breeds of dogs..I am not sure Ive seen a rottie with cropped ears unless I just didnt notice them..

[rottsnroses]

Originally Posted by Candie

Some people have there rotties ears cropped? Or do you mean other breeds of dogs..I am not sure Ive seen a rottie with cropped ears unless I just didnt notice them..

Leonberger refers to other breeds, like dobermans. In some (not all) European countries, docking of tails and ear cropping is not allowed by law. For example, the FCI standard calls for the ears on dobes to be cropped, unless the country does not allow it. The FCI standard for the rottweiler calls for an intact tail, however, there are some countries (i.e. UK) that do not subscribe to the FCI standard and have their own breed standard, just as the US does. In the US and UK, it is not presently illegal to crop, so the breed standard in both countries call for it. For rottweilers, the FCI, US and UK standards considers rear dew claws a fault, so European breeders do remove them; however, most leave the front dews and always have. In the US, front dew claw removal is optional (as I recall, it is also optional in the UK), and some breeders prefer the look of a cleaner leg and remove the front dews, but many also leave them.

[BostonRott]

Chris Zink PhD, DVM, Obedience/Agility competitor very strongly feels that the front dews are a necessary part of the dog and offer an advantage to those who have them. I have always left them on my litters, Bort is the only one in the household without his dews. As has been mentioned, just keep them trimmed.