Hunting dog with dew claws

I'm looking at importing a Deutsch Kurzhaar directly from a breeder in Germany, the pup comes from a great blood line on both sire and dams side with multiple first placments in the German hunting tests including blood tracking. Which was one of the reasons I'm attracted to the pup as I plan on traning it to blood track wounded deer, since it's now legal to do so in southern Ontario. But as I talked to the breeder over the phone I asked about the dew claws and he said they don't remove dew claws in Germany and they never have in the history of the DK, they just dock the tails. My current GSP had them removed by the breeder when it was a pup and I thought they did this throughout the world. I have herd they are removed because there is a chance they could injure them while hunting. Do to the dew claws not being removed shoud this be a deal breaker? Even though the dog comes from exceptional breeding?

No deal breaker imo. There are just as many good arguments for leaving them on as taking them off. Google "Dew claws on dogs".

That's an exciting import. Let us know how it goes. :)

It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Would not be a deal breaker for me. I have dogs that still have dew claws and have never had any issues.

My yellow lab has hers, never a problem. Spends lots of time swimming and hunting in marshes.

Ok, sounds like having the dew claws removed is over rated then.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishhawk

Ok, sounds like having the dew claws removed is over rated then.

---

Yup, pretty much the same as docked tails :)

All my working sled dogs never had dew claws removed or hunting dogs. My sled dogs broke through neck deep snow , ice with no injuries. Your good to go ! Congrats !

Actually that is one of the only good reasons I saw for dewclaws. They use them when they fall through the ice. I'll see if I can find that video.

..................................

I'm assuming this guy was in control of the situation and just wanted to make a point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4XflsMEk-k

I run hounds sll winter and we have never had a problem with dew claws. Not sure I would ever remove them from my dogs