Do German Shorthaired Pointers Have Dewclaws?

Have you ever noticed an additional claw on your German shorthaired pointer’s front legs behind their paw pads, almost like a thumb? This is known as a dewclaw, and it serves many essential functions when it comes to your dog’s mobility. But do all GSH dogs have dewclaws, and should they ever be removed?

German shorthaired pointers have dewclaws located on the sides of their feet on their front limbs. Dewclaws assist with dogs’ stability and traction while running. However, some breeders opt to remove them surgically when puppies are less than a week old.

Read on to learn more about this fascinating trait, its functions, and why some people choose to remove them entirely. We’ll also cover how to maintain your German shorthaired pointer’s dewclaws so they don’t become infected or damaged.

Why Do German Shorthaired Pointers Have Dewclaws?

German shorthaired pointers have dewclaws because they help with stability and mobility, and gripping objects like bones and toys. Dewclaws are a dog’s equivalent of a human’s thumb.

Dewclaws help keep your dog stable while they walk and run, and help them turn more easily and quickly. These unique claws will brush against and sometimes dig into the ground while the dog moves and offer them a bit of extra stabilization, similar to how a human’s big toes function while walking.

The dewclaw has a nail attached and looks similar in appearance to the rest of the dog’s toes, except for its location on the side of the foot rather than alongside the other four toes that constantly touch the ground.

It’s Normal for German Shorthaired Pointers To Have Dewclaws

A German shorthaired pointer having dewclaws is completely normal. Almost all dogs are born with dewclaws on their front feet, though some people, particularly breeders of purebred dogs, opt to have them surgically removed while the dog is only days old for cosmetic or other personal reasons.

Most breeds have dewclaws on their front feet, though many breeds also have dewclaws on their back limbs, such as the Great Pyrenees, which have double dewclaws on their back legs! My dog Lily has dewclaws on her back paws and our vet recommended removing them because of potential injury to them when running and playing.

Over time, dogs have evolved to have smaller, less prominent dewclaws than their ancestors, and the position of the claws has shifted further and further up their legs over time, since most breeds don’t use them nearly as heavily as they used to.

However, the dewclaws are not entirely vestigial; evidence shows that dogs still use them while running, digging, and exercising in general.

Where Are Dewclaws Located on German Shorthaired Pointers?

German shorthaired pointers’ dewclaws are located on their front legs. These dogs are typically born with a single, prominent dewclaw on each front leg, in addition to their webbed feet.

As is the case with other hunting dogs, these claws are especially helpful for giving the dog more traction and stability while running, hunting, climbing, swimming, and digging.

Should I Remove My German Shorthaired Pointer’s Dewclaws?

In general, it is best not to remove your German shorthaired pointer’s dewclaws, unless they have become injured or infected, and necessitate removal later in life. However, there is a lot of debate and contention amongst dog owners and breeders on this topic.

Some breeders remove the dewclaws when dogs are only days old to adhere to a particular breed standard, as they believe the claws make the dogs look less appealing. If you obtained your dog through a certified breeder, and the dog lacks dewclaws, it is likely they have been removed at a young age.

Other owners or breeders may remove the dewclaws to avoid having to trim them or to prevent potential injuries later in life. Some breeders worry people will forget to trim the nails on their dog’s dewclaws, resulting in nails that become painfully overgrown and even puncture the dog’s legs in some cases.

However, recent evidence suggests they aren’t particularly prone to injury and are less likely to become injured than the dog’s other digits. With careful maintenance and regular trims, the dewclaws usually won’t present any issues and are actually beneficial to the dog’s wellbeing and mobility.

Some People View Dewclaw Removal as Cruel

The practice of removing dewclaws is slowly becoming less common in most circles. It is often seen as unnecessarily cruel and painful, especially considering dewclaw removal is typically performed on puppies less than a week old.

Again, there is much debate on the topic amongst dog owners and breeders, but with more emerging evidence suggesting the dewclaws are beneficial to a dog’s mobility, fewer people are opting to remove them.

If your dog’s dewclaws have been removed from a previous breeder or owner, don’t panic. Your dog will be fine as long as the removal was performed by an experienced veterinarian, though they might not have quite the same level of traction or mobility as a dog with their dewclaws left intact.

Should I Trim My German Shorthaired Pointer’s Dewclaws?

You should regularly trim your German shorthaired pointer’s dewclaws, along with the rest of its nails, to prevent them from becoming overgrown or growing into their legs. When a dog’s nails get too long, they can cause pain or possible infections.

Since German shorthaired pointers are fairly active and energetic dogs, their nails will become worn down naturally with frequent exercise. Because of this, they may not require as many nail trims as other breeds, though this varies amongst individual dogs.

Do Dewclaws Need Any Other Maintenance?

Other than regular trims and cleaning during bathtime, your dog’s dewclaws don’t need any additional maintenance unless they become injured or infected.

Injury to dewclaws is rare unless they have been neglected and become overgrown.

Conclusion

Your German shorthaired pointer’s dewclaws are important to their stability and traction for most of their everyday movements like running, swimming, and digging. Generally, they shouldn’t be removed unless they become damaged, though dewclaw injury is quite rare.

To maintain your German shorthaired pointer’s dewclaws, simply trim them as you would the rest of their nails and keep them clean to prevent them from becoming damaged.