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.

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Originally Posted by fishhawk

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

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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.

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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

Actually if you do some research there are good reasons for leaving dews on.
deb

No problems with dew claws, but I do have problems with not docking tails.

Dick

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Originally Posted by Longgun

Actually if you do some research there are good reasons for leaving dews on.
deb

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Taking off dew claws is similar to taking off ones thumbs according to some of the research done, [ can be a cause of crippling in some dogs at an early stage].
At over 70 years of age and always been with dogs, both my parents many years ago and then my own hunting dogs as I grew up . Hounds running coyotes, Retrievers for my waterfowl and upland hunting, never ever have I/We had any problems with dew claws.

None of my dogs EVER had them removed ; Never caused any problems . --- Leave them on !

My beagles have dewclaws, never had a problem.

are you seriously considering dewclaws a deal breaker? That would be the last thing I'd worry about.

I prefer the dew claws off. I have hounds with and without, dew claws are a pain in the butt to keep trimmed. I have one walker with large dew claws!!!!!!!! Chasing coyotes in crusty winter conditions usually causes sore, irritated dew claws. If we stayed home it would not matter. Regular exercise will keep their 4 toes wore down, nothing wears the dew claws.
Just an opinion and certainly not a deal breaker on a purchase.

I wouldn't worry about the dc. Just make sure to trim the nails on them, it reduces the chance of injury with the claw catching on to something. As mentioned, there's research suggesting a link to early arthritis with dc removed.
Someone somewhere saw a dc thorn up 100 years ago and breeders decided it's easier to remove them then make sure every owner clips the dog's nails :ashamed:

PS if you have questions about importing, PM me, I imported a dog from Germany

Three years ago my Small Munsterlander was one year old. A flock of geese landed on the grass down by the lake. He took off after them. They flew out over the still ice covered lake. He followed and about 200 yards out he fell through the thin ice. It was too thin for me to attempt a rescue. He used his dew claws to pull himself out. I was grateful that the breeder suggested leaving them.

as you said:

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

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Originally Posted by Sharon

as you said:

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

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Sharon, I could help but think how unfortunate it would be to be a male dog in those scenario's...:)

Great video. Thanks for posting.
deb