Have you ever noticed some dogs have an extra claw on their paws? It’s called a double dew claw, and usually, it’s not very common. But why do some dogs have this and what is their breed?
Double dewclaws mean a dog has two claws on one leg instead of just one. These extra claws are higher up on the leg and are found in large breeds like Great Pyrenees, Catalan sheepdog, Briard, Beauceron, and Anatolian shepherd. In this article, we will discuss in detail Dog Breeds with Double Dew Claws and answer all of your questions.
Before we get deeper into that let’s discuss
What are Double Dew Claws?
Double dew claws are an additional set of claws on a dog’s paw. Unlike common single-dew claws, double-dew claws are positioned lower, almost like a thumb.
What is the Purpose of Double Dew Claws
These extra claws provide stability and support during activities like climbing or running. Double dew claws are mostly found in certain breeds of dogs and some wolves.
Top 5 Dog Breeds with Double Dew Claws
Here are breeds having extra claws on the paw
1. Anatolian Shepherd
Anatolian shepherds also known as the Kangal have double dew claws. From the name, it’s clear they are from Turkey. These dogs are a mix of two strong dog breeds: the Roman Molossian and the Tibetan Mastiff.
These Kangal dogs are mostly used for protecting farm animals from dangerous animals like bears, wild dogs, and wolves. They mostly stay with their shepherds and travel to different places, that’s why have different sizes, coat types, and colors. However, the best thing about these dogs is loyalty, independence, and toughness that’s why they have got the attention of dog owners quickly.
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Breed Information and Characteristics
Here is the detail about Anatolian Shepherd
Weight: Depending on the age male dog weighs around 110-140 pounds while a female dog has 90-130 pounds
Height: The height of both male and female dogs is around 29–31 inches
Color: They have different colors like Brindle, white, blue, and reddish.
Age: They live for 11–13 years
2. Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is a large and muscular dog breed. This has two coats
- Inner Coat: The inner coat is soft, thick and straight
- Outer Coat: The outer coat is long, rough, and either straight or wavy
In start Great Pyrenees were trained to protect farm animals. Numero shepherd brought them to the Pyrenees Mountains and were given the name the Great Pyrenees. These dogs are the best pets and reliable protectors.
Breed Information and Characteristics
Weight: Depending on the age male dog weights around 85 pounds while a female dog has 85 pounds
Height: The height of male dogs is between 27-32 inches and female dogs is between 25–29 inches
Color: They have different colors like Solid white, white with yellow patches, and gray
Eyes Colour: They have dark brown eyes
Age: They live for 10-12 years
3. Briard
The Baird dog is a medium-sized double dew claw breed known for its loyalty and friendliness. These animals have smooth coats that come in different colors. They are always alert because their eyes and ears are usually open.
These dogs are very loyal and attached to their owners. They’re quick learners and love to have basic training, like sit and stay. In short, their loyalty, intelligence, and friendly nature make them a wonderful addition to any family or individual’s life.
Breed Information and Characteristics
Weight: Depending on the age male dog weighs around 60-100 pounds while a female dog has 50-80 pounds
Height: The height of male dogs is between 23-27 inches and female dogs are between 22–25.5 inches
Color: They have all colors except white
Temperament: They are Fearless, loyal, intelligent, protective
Age: They live for 10-12 years
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4. Catalan sheepdog
Breed Information and Characteristics
Weight: Depending on the age male dog weighs around 45-55 pounds while a female dog has 37-46 pounds
Height: The height of male dogs is between 18-22 inches and female dogs are between 17-21 inches
Color: They have various colors like brown, red, grey, black, black and tan, etc.
Temperament: They are Intelligent, Protective, and Friendly.
Age: They live around 10 years
5. Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund is a special breed from Norway known for its flexibility and hunting skills. They have curled tails and thick coats. They’re very friendly with the owner and love training and exercise but mostly they are reserved around strangers. These dogs have six toes that why came in the list of Dog Breeds with Double Dew Claws.
Breed Information and Characteristics
Weight: Depending on the age both males and females weigh around 20-30 pounds
Height: The height of male dogs is between 13-15 inches and female dogs are between 12-14 inches
Color: They have various colors like brown, red, grey, black and red etc
Temperament: They are Intelligent, Protective and Friendly and Loyal
Age: They live around 12-14 years
Some breeds of dogs have an extra toe on each paw that’s why they are called Double Dew Claws. We have discussed about top 5 breeds and tried to cover every aspect of Dog Breeds with Double Dew Claws and will look for more and try to add that in the next update. If you have any questions or suggestions let us know in the comment section below.
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FAQS: What Breeds of Dogs Have Dewclaws?
Still not satisfied? Here are some frequently asked questions
What does double dew claws on a dog mean?
Double dewclaws mean the dogs have an extra toe on each front leg paw. Not all dogs have double dew claws; they are more commonly found in breeds like Great Pyrenees, Briard, and Norwegian Lundehund. It’s important for dog owners to keep them trimmed like the regular claws for the dog’s comfort.
What causes double dewclaws?
Double dewclaws in dogs are because of two important genes
- Recessive gene: means it’s not linked to whether the dog is a boy or a girl
- LMBR1: This helps in growing the dog’s legs.
These genes work together and decide if a dog will have extra claws or not. That’s why this is common in specific breeds.
Should double dew claws be removed?
Usually, it’s not mandatory to remove extra claws but some vets recommend removing loosely attached double or rear dewclaws to prevent injury. But in actuality, chances of injury are quite low.
How do you trim double dew claws?
Double dew claws in dogs can be trimmed like normal claws.
Can you remove dew claws at 7 days old?
The best time to remove dew claws in dogs is when they are 1 to 5 days old because the puppy’s nervous system is not fully mature so they feel less pain.
Which dog breeds have the most toes?
The dog breed having the most toes are
- Great Pyrenees
- Anatolian Shepherd
- Briard
- Catalan sheepdog
- Norwegian Lundehund