A dewclaw is a vestigial digit of the paw. It grows higher on the leg so that in digitigrade species, when the animal is standing, it does not make contact with the ground.Dogs almost always have dewclaws on the inside of the front legs and occasionally on the hind legs. Unlike the front dewclaws, the rear dewclaws tend to have little bone or muscle structure in most breeds. There is some debate about whether the dewclaw helps dogs to gain traction when they run because, in some dogs, the dewclaw makes contact when they are running and the nail on the dewclaw often wears down in the same way that the toenails on their other toes do, from friction with running surfaces. However, in many dogs, the dewclaws never make contact with the ground; in this case, the dewclaw's nail never wears away, and it must be trimmed to keep it at a safe length. It is notable that the dewclaws are not dead appendages. They can be used to lightly grip bones and other items that dogs hold with the paws.
Great pyrenees
no it cant get a good grip
Nothing, many people get them cut off as pups.
probably because it dewclaws;)
The dewclaw just above the front paw of a dog or cat is the equivalent of the human thumb. It is often removed on hunting dogs because it can become torn or infected while the animal is running through brush and briars. However, the dewclaw does serve an important purpose for dogs: It allows them to hook onto ice at the edge of a partially frozen pond and pull themselves out of the water.
Dewclaws are the "fifth finger" on the dog's front legs. Since dogs essentially walk on their toes, the dewclaw - the dogs thumb - usually dangles uselessly several inches above the ground. The dewclaw can catch on brush, logs, rocks, or other trail obstructions the dog has to navigate over, under, or around. A torn dewclaw can bleed a lot, but generally it isn't a serious injury. The prescribed treatment is to stop the bleeding through direct pressure. Next, wrap gauze around the dewclaw and leg, then wrap tape around it to hold the dewclaw firmly to the leg. Don't wrap too tightly, however, or you'll constrict blood flow into the lower leg.
Don't mess with the dewclaw - it is probably very sensitive and painful to your dog right now. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment - your veterinarian can use local anesthetic and remove the rest of the dewclaw if it is almost out, or can schedule general anesthesia and surgical removal within the next few days.
I'm pretty sure all dogs have a dewclaw on each front foot.
Dewclaws are the "fifth finger" on the dog's front legs. Since dogs essentially walk on their toes, the dewclaw - the dogs thumb - usually dangles uselessly several inches above the ground. The dewclaw can catch on brush, logs, rocks, or other trail obstructions the dog has to navigate over, under, or around. A torn dewclaw can bleed a lot, but generally it isn't a serious injury. The prescribed treatment is to stop the bleeding through direct pressure. Next, wrap gauze around the dewclaw and leg, then wrap tape around it to hold the dewclaw firmly to the leg. Don't wrap too tightly, however, or you'll constrict blood flow into the lower leg.
Dewclaws are the "fifth finger" on the dog's front legs. Since dogs essentially walk on their toes, the dewclaw - the dogs thumb - usually dangles uselessly several inches above the ground. The dewclaw can catch on brush, logs, rocks, or other trail obstructions the dog has to navigate over, under, or around. A torn dewclaw can bleed a lot, but generally it isn't a serious injury. The prescribed treatment is to stop the bleeding through direct pressure. Next, wrap gauze around the dewclaw and leg, then wrap tape around it to hold the dewclaw firmly to the leg. Don't wrap too tightly, however, or you'll constrict blood flow into the lower leg.
Dogs need their claws and I highly doubt you would ever find a vet to declaw them. This is only done in cats.
All breed dogs have five claws so, Golden Retrievers have a fifth claw called a DEWCLAW.