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Dewclaws.
Do you know what they are?
Do you know that some breeds have single dew claws, a few have double dew claws, and some don’t have them at all?
Part of the breed standard of the Great Pyrenees is the presence of double dew claws. Have you ever seen them before?
People often think Mauja and Atka are deformed!
You can see the extra pad with two extra toe nails a little further up the leg. Those are double dews!
The common belief with dewclaws is that they need to be removed; preferably as soon as possible. While this is true for some breeds, it does not apply to the Great Pyrenees. Many breeds have floppy dew claws that can easily snag and rip. If you dog isn’t a working dog, vets typically remove them. Most people don’t realize that the pyr double dews are attached by a bone and very strong. They are basically a thumb!
The double dew claws are surprisingly useful for the Great Pyrenees. I love watching Mauja and Atka run around and make use of their extra toes. The dews help grip the ground for turning, climbing, descending, and jumping. I’ve never seen Atka jump, but Mauja uses her dews when she jumps!
Removing the dew claws on a Great Pyrenees is very painful and does not benefit the dog in any way. Because they are attached by a bone, it is very uncommon for them to snag on something.
Like any other nail, the dew claws need regular trimming. If left alone, the dew claws can grow so long that they curl and go back into the pad.
Ouch!Time for a very short story.
Before we got Mauja, I had researched the breed for months. Even though I had never met one, I was confident that they were the right fit for us and I was confident that I could care for one. At Mauja’s first vet visit, the vet brought up her dew claws and how strange it was that they were attached by a bone. I tried to explain the breed standard for pyrs and how they were useful, but she was not convinced I knew what I was talking about. Every visit until her spay I got a lecture on how I needed to remove her dews. We eventually decided to take her to a different vet for her spay because I was terrified the vet would just remove her dews without my permission.
My advice? It’s great to ask your vet what he/she thinks, but always do your own research. Talk to people involved with the breed, such as reputable breeders, people who show dogs, and rescue workers.
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