Quick answer: Dewclaws are the small extra nails on the inside of a dog's front legs (and sometimes the back). They do not touch the ground and never wear down, so they need trimming every 4 to 6 weeks. A long dewclaw can curl back into the skin and cause an injury or infection. Double dewclaws (common in a few breeds) need the same care. Some vets recommend removal in the first few days of life for working or active dogs; the decision is yours.
What is a dewclaw
A dewclaw is a small extra digit on the inside of a dog's leg, a little way up from the paw. Most dogs have a dewclaw on each front leg. Some dogs have a dewclaw on each back leg as well. A small number of breeds have a double dewclaw on each back leg (a fifth digit with two nails).
The dewclaw does not touch the ground when the dog walks. Without ground contact, the nail does not wear down. If it is not trimmed, it grows longer and longer, eventually curling back toward the leg. A curled dewclaw can dig into the skin and cause pain, infection, or a torn nail.
The dewclaw is not just a nail. It is a full digit, with a small bone, joint, and tendon. Some dogs use the dewclaw to grip a toy or a bone. A working dog uses the dewclaw for traction on rough ground. A dog that swims uses the dewclaw to grip the riverbank.
Why dewclaws need trimming
Three reasons dewclaws are the most-overlooked part of a nail trim.
1. They do not wear down. A regular nail on the ground wears naturally. A dewclaw off the ground does not.
2. They are easy to forget. Most owners remember the 4 (or 5) nails on each paw and skip the dewclaw on the inside of the leg. The dewclaw grows, curls, and causes problems.
3. The quick grows with the nail. A long-overgrown dewclaw has a long quick. A single big cut is a cut into the quick. The dewclaw needs the same sliver method as a black nail.
How often to trim
A dewclaw needs trimming every 4 to 6 weeks. The exact cycle depends on the dog.
- Active outdoor dog. The dewclaw may wear slightly from running on rough ground. Trim every 6 weeks.
- Indoor or smooth-floor dog. The dewclaw grows faster. Trim every 4 weeks.
- Puppy. The dewclaw grows quickly as the puppy grows. Trim every 3 to 4 weeks.
- Double dewclaw. Trim the same as a single dewclaw, but check both nails.
A click or a snag on the carpet is your signal, regardless of the calendar.
How to trim a dewclaw
The technique is the same as a regular nail, with one adjustment: the dewclaw sits a little higher on the leg, so the angle of the paw is slightly different.
1. Hold the leg just above the paw. Cup the paw in your non-dominant hand, with your thumb on top of the pad. The dewclaw extends from the inside of the leg, a couple of centimetres up from the pad.
2. Extend the dewclaw. Push lightly on the side of the dewclaw to extend it. The nail points in a slightly different direction than the other nails.
3. Cut at a 45 degree angle. A flat cut can leave sharp edges. A 45 degree cut matches the natural angle of the nail.
4. Take a sliver on a long or dark dewclaw. A 1 to 2mm cut is fine. Look at the cut surface. A solid pale colour means continue. A dark dot means stop.
5. Reward and move on. A treat after each dewclaw, especially in the early sessions.
6. Do the same on the other front leg. Most dogs have a dewclaw on each front leg.
If the dog has a back-leg dewclaw (or a double back-leg dewclaw), trim the same way.
The injury risk
A long dewclaw can cause a real injury. The most common is a torn nail: the nail catches on something (a fence, a carpet, a branch) and tears. A torn dewclaw nail is painful and bleeds heavily. Most need a vet visit to trim back the torn nail and stop the bleeding.
A curled dewclaw that grows back into the skin causes a chronic sore. The dog licks the area, the sore gets worse, and an infection can set in.
The fix is regular trimming. Every 4 to 6 weeks is enough to prevent both problems.
Double dewclaws
A small number of breeds have a double dewclaw on each back leg. The double dewclaw is two extra digits, each with its own nail, on the inside of the back leg. The five breeds with double dewclaws as a breed standard are:
- Beauceron
- Briard
- Great Pyrenees
- Icelandic Sheepdog
- Anatolian Shepherd
A double dewclaw is also seen occasionally in other breeds. It is not a defect, but it is a higher-maintenance setup. Both nails on each double dewclaw need trimming, and the extra digit can catch on undergrowth more often.
If you have a dog with a double dewclaw, ask your vet to confirm the breed standard for your breed. In the Beauceron and Briard, the double dewclaw is part of the breed standard; many Beaucerons in the UK are working dogs whose owners leave the dewclaws intact.
Dewclaw removal
Some breeders and vets recommend dewclaw removal in the first few days of a puppy's life. The procedure is a quick surgical removal under local anaesthetic. The wound heals within a week.
The arguments for removal:
- Eliminates the dewclaw injury risk (torn nail, curled nail).
- Removes a high-maintenance part of the nail routine.
- Standard in some breeds and working lines.
The arguments against:
- An unnecessary surgery for a cosmetic digit.
- Some owners prefer to keep the dewclaw for the dog's grip and traction.
- Removal in older dogs is a full anaesthetic surgery and not recommended.
In the UK, dewclaw removal is legal but regulated. Most vets will only do it on very young puppies (under 5 days old) and many will only do it on request from the breeder. Talk to your vet and your breeder before deciding.
For adult dogs, the consensus is: leave the dewclaw alone and trim it every 4 to 6 weeks. The injury risk is real but small with regular trimming; the surgical risk of removal in an adult is much higher.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you trim a dog's dewclaws?
Every 4 to 6 weeks for most dogs. The dewclaw does not touch the ground, so it does not wear down naturally. Puppies and active dogs may need a trim every 3 to 4 weeks. A click or a snag on the carpet is your signal.
What happens if a dewclaw grows too long?
A long dewclaw can curl back into the skin and cause a chronic sore or infection. A long dewclaw is also more likely to catch on something and tear, which is a painful and bloody injury. Regular trimming every 4 to 6 weeks prevents both problems.
Should dewclaws be removed?
Some breeders and vets recommend removal in the first few days of a puppy's life, especially in working or active breeds. For adult dogs, the consensus is to leave the dewclaw in place and trim it regularly. Removal in an adult dog is a full surgical procedure and not usually recommended.
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