question about nails

[mishoga]

I noticed yesterday that my girl doesn't have that little nail on the upper inner side of her front legs. It almost looks like they were removed. There is a light pinkish scar mar on both paws. Is this common practice? Why would a breeder remove them?
Don't know why I didn't notice sooner

[Snifter]

Breeders often remove the dew claws. In the US it appears that a breeder who does not remove the dew claws is regarded with some suspicion, as being not one of the best. In the UK they are not always removed; it depends on the view of the breeder.

The reason for doing it is to protect the eyes.

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

Dew claws are removed as a very common practice here. They are prone to catching on things and tearing - very painful to the dog.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

Lucky you -- 2 less nails to trim!!!!

[lbgrrl]

Beatrice has hers, that seems kinda cruel to me, to remove them. Like declawing a cat. She sorta uses them like thumbs at times :) I will just be sure to keep them short so they dont get caught.

[TNPUGMOMOF2]

They are typically removed when the dog is very young so to be less traumatic.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

Unless I'm mistaken removing a pup's dew claws aren't in the same league of nasty as declawing a cat. They are removed when the pup is very young, before the claw has a solid attachment (I think they're just attached to the skin at that point, the solid attachment develops when they are older), and it's not supposed to hurt..... I think in the grand scheme of things many consider it kinder to remove the claws cleanly when they are tiny than have them snag and ripped off when the dog is older and they are solidly attached -- then it does hurt.

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

Unless I'm mistaken removing a pup's dew claws aren't in the same league of nasty as declawing a cat. They are removed when the pup is very young, before the claw has a solid attachment (I think they're just attached to the skin at that point, the solid attachment develops when they are older), and it's not supposed to hurt..... I think in the grand scheme of things many consider it kinder to remove the claws cleanly when they are tiny than have them snag and ripped off when the dog is older and they are solidly attached -- then it does hurt.

What she said ^^^^ ;-))

[tall grass pugs]

Break out the slide rule, grasshopper, and follow along. If cutting your pug's nails consume the better part of three days every two weeks, the loss of two nails via dew claw removal may allow you to regain sleep, cook for the family, cruise on the Costa Concordia, or Christmas shop before the 24th of December. Think of it, time all of your own to spend as you please.

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

**I will just be sure to keep them short so they dont get caught.**

It is not usually the nail that breaks ... it is the nail (short or long) that catches and tears the connecting skin.
The digit is an evolutionary artifact - of no more use than our appendix.