Clearwater Labradors

08/29/2024

Sweet Lego is home for the week!!! Yahoooo

08/19/2024

A great illustration on why not to remove dewclaws

Dewclaws! They are IMPORTANT! Many dog breeders routinely, and without much thought, amputate puppies' front dewclaws when the pups are 3-5 days of age. Why? The thought is to prevent potential injuries, such as tears of the digit, later in life. BUT do you realize that the dewclaw is a FUNCTIONAL, IMPORTANT digit? I am thankful that my own dog's breeder did not amputate Dunkin's front dewclaws. Do you also know that with appropriate exercises, the muscles of the dewclaw can be strengthened to help promote and maintain appropriate function and close apposition of the dewclaw to the side of the paw? Below is an article by a friend and colleague, Dr. Chris Zink, that explains the importance, anatomy, and function of the front dewclaw.

"Do the Dew(claws)?
by Chris Zink, DVM PhD DACVSMR

As a veterinary sports medicine specialist, I work extensively with canine athletes, developing rehabilitation programs for injured dogs or dogs that required surgery due to performance-related injuries. I have seen many dogs, especially field trial/hunt test and agility dogs, that have chronic carpal arthritis, frequently so severe that they must be retired or at least carefully managed for the rest of their careers. I noticed that very few of those dogs had dewclaws and began to wonder whether these appendages might, in fact, protect a dog from injuries. What I learned might surprise you.

The Anatomy of Dewclaws
Miller's Guide to the Anatomy of the Dog, a veterinary anatomy text, has an excellent figure depicting the muscular anatomy of the distal forelimb. There are 2 functional muscles, the extensor pollicis longus et indicis proprius and flexor digitorum profundus, which are attached to the front dewclaw by 4 tendons (references in blog). Each of those muscle/tendon units has a different function in movement. That means that if you cut off the dew claws, you are preventing the muscles that were attached to the dewclaws from functioning.

In contrast, rear limb dewclaws do not have muscle/tendon attachments, so their removal might be appropriate, except in the breeds such as Briards and Beauceron in which they should be retained.

Dewclaws Do Have Functions
If there are muscles and tendons attached to the dewclaws, then they most likely have a function. Broadly speaking, dewclaws have at least two different functions:
1. Grasp the ground when the dog is turning to prevent torque on the forelimb. Each time the front foot lands on the ground, particularly when the dog is cantering or galloping (see Figure 2), the dewclaw is in touch with the ground. If the dog then needs to turn, the dewclaw actively digs into the ground to stabilize the lower leg and prevent torque. In Figure 3 you can clearly see the dewclaw of a Corgi herding a sheep extended, ready to grip the ground. And in the image at the top of this article, you can see the dewclaws of a dog extended, ready to grip the water!

Do the Dew(claws)?

If a dog doesn't have dewclaws, the leg will twist on its axis, creating increased pressure on the carpal bones, as well as the elbow, shoulder and toes. A lifetime of this kind of torque and the result can be carpal arthritis or injuries to and subsequent arthritis in other joints of the forelimb, such as the elbow, shoulder, and toes. Remember, the dog is participating in the activity regardless, so there will be concussive pressures on the leg, and if the dewclaw does not help to stabilize the leg, those pressures will be transmitted to other areas of the leg, especially the joints.

2. Grip objects. We have all seen dogs using their dewclaws to grip an object such as a ball or bone (Figure 4). I've even seen many photos of agility dogs gripping the teeter for stability (Figure 5). But did you know that the dewclaws' gripping ability can, in fact, save your dog's life? Check out the video "Dewclaws Do Have a Purpose" for "gripping" views of dogs attempting to get out of water onto ice without the help of those ice picks on the inside of their legs. The video also shows dogs using their dewclaws to grip the ice and escape from a potentially fatal situation. I have known several dogs that drowned after falling through ice in the winter. None of them had dewclaws. If they had, perhaps they would have survived and spared their owners the incredible heartache of watching their dogs die unnecessarily.

Arguments for Removing Dewclaws
1. The dewclaws will get injured. This is the most common reason I hear for removing dewclaws. A friend of mine had such a severe dewclaw injury in one of her dogs that she swore she would remove them on all the dogs she bred subsequently.

But the data indicate that dewclaws are not injured very often. A study published in 2018 showed that the dewclaw was the LEAST likely toe to be injured in agility dogs, in which landing and turning from jumps and other obstacles put the toes at risk for injuries. Thus, it makes no sense to remove the dewclaws because of risk of injury. And, of course, no one would consider removing the 5th digits in the front feet, which are by far the most commonly injured toe.

2. Owners forget to trim the dewclaws. Surely this is a matter of education. Do we really want to remove a functioning digit in all dogs, just because some owners need to be reminded that they must remember to trim the dewclaws?

3. Dewclaws make the forelimb look less straight when viewed from the front in conformation. The AKC states: "The breed standard describes the characteristics of the ideal
dog to perform the function for which it was bred." While we could have long discussions about the veracity of this statement, it is interesting to note that there are VERY few breed standards that require dewclaw removal. I know of only one - the Vizsla breed standard.

A Plea
So, here's a plea to retain dogs' dewclaws. They are a functioning digit. They are the toe least likely to be injured. Isn't this enough to convince us not to do the dewclaws?"

08/19/2024

Sweet Zippo earned 2 legs towards his Started HRC title

08/13/2024

There are a couple puppies still available out of Zippo. If you are interested please contact Laura with Mythic Labradors.

They really are beautiful babies
Health tested parents

GCHB CH Moon Warrior Bounty WC “Zippo” and beautiful sweet Gem precious

08/11/2024

Cabo enjoying the cool morning
Such a handsome boy

08/09/2024

Happy 3rd birthday Zippo

08/07/2024

It’s show time!! Mr Zippo

08/05/2024

I absolutely love watching this dog!
Too hot to run again

CH Clearwater’s Building Dreams by Sleepy Hollow JH WC “Lego”

08/02/2024

Lego doing what he absolutely loves.

Working towards his Senior!

Ch Clearwater’s Building Dreams by Sleepy Hollow JH WC “Lego”

07/27/2024

Cabo babies are here
8 (4 boys 4 girls)

Very light yellow

Bella Valley Labradors has the mom (Tilly) please reach out to her for availability

Carolyn

07/24/2024

Letty out get some exercise. We are gonna work really hard to get her weight down about 7 pounds before her next heart cycle.

07/18/2024

Look at this cute puppy. Males and females still available.

Pups are getting to explore the living room and introduced to the crate and new toys everyday. These pups are just amazing.

07/15/2024

I love this picture of Pink

07/13/2024

Gypsy being my model. She is an older gal so we took it easy with the retrieves.

07/10/2024

Pink and I having bumper fun!

07/07/2024

Available Zippo babies in Florida
If you are interested please reach out to Laura with Mythic Labradors.
Blacks and yellows
11 healthy puppies whelped.
Health tested parents and dilute FREE
❤️💜🐾

07/02/2024

More exciting news Cabo and Tilly will be expecting puppies soon. All yellow litter. Please contact Carolyn at [email protected]

06/30/2024

I am very happy to announce that Lego x Foxy will be having puppies soon. Blacks and yellows will be available.

If you are interested in a puppy from this litter please contact Carolyn at [email protected]

I can not wait to see what these 2 produce

06/21/2024

Bad news
The ultrasound showed no puppies

06/18/2024

A great opportunity

Looking for help!!! If you are a self motivated person who likes working with animals and looking to learn. We have both part time and full time positions available. Both positions are open and not limited to helping with kennel chores, throwing birds, working with dogs, And helping out at hunt test. Part-time position there is no traveling required. Full-time position must be willing to travel these dogs will take you to some amazing places. Must have driver license. No experience needed but always preferred. Call or text Corey at 815-312-6877 with any question. 😊

06/18/2024

Pending AKC Lego is now a Champion JH heading towards his Senior Title

Love this young 2.75 year old!!!!

06/10/2024

Team Lego!
This is the day Lego earned his CH!!! On to Senior Hunt tests!
Thank you Julie, Lisa and Nina

06/05/2024

Love comparison pics. The angle is not quite the same but the bottom pic is Zippo at 10 months full puppy coat and the top pic is 2 years just starting to dump his coat.

So proud of this boy reached GCH status early on and is 1 point shy of his bronze.

We will be running hunt tests now that he has a full summer coat. 💜❤️💜❤️

05/31/2024

I’m so glad we have a big yard for the dogs to enjoy!

05/16/2024

This beautiful girl is still available. Crate trained, leash trained and up to date on vaccines. Please DM me here if you would like more information

05/15/2024

Sweet Letty is in heat and will be bred to Zippo. Prayers all goes well.
I am so super excited
Blacks and maybe some yellows

UPDATE: We are getting closer. Progesterone is on the rise. ❤️💜

UPDATE UPDATE: We will be breeding this weekend. I’m praying all goes well and we will have puppies at the end of July. 🐾🐾🐾

05/07/2024

Sweet old lady Penny. Going to be 12 next month. My first Champion and the one who started it all! I love her so much

05/02/2024

Hanging outside on this beautiful day

04/20/2024

Letty and Mama Gypsy