In the United States, CBRs with dewclaws removed are allowed in the conformation ring. In the upcoming breed health survey, the question of rear dewclaws will be addressed to have better information available about the prevalence in the breed and potential genetic transmission. Currently, there is no genetic testing available for the occurrence of rear dewclaws and no research planned for the future. The breed Standard makes no mention of removal of rear dewclaws being a disqualification, just that they should not be allowed, so it is near impossible to track anecdotally in adults. Puppy buyers or breeders in the US don’t usually think or find it necessary to ask about rear dewclaws in parents or past generations. The incidence of rear dewclaws and their mode of inheritance in Chesapeakes is relatively unknown, as most breeders and owners do not actively track or relate the occurrence. We need to retain these disqualifications, for anything that has previously been a problem in the breed can become one again if we do not keep alert and guard against it.” If they are now found only infrequently it is a tribute to the emphasis implied by the potential for disqualification. Janet Horn, in The New Complete Chesapeake Bay Retriever (1994, page 32), addresses all breed disqualifications in general and states: “The seven disqualifications in our Standard were first laid down in 1936, and at that time, I was told by one who had worked on the Standard Committee in the 1930s, these items were made disqualifications because they were serious problems in the breed. Reviewing past publications, there is little information about the intent behind rear dewclaw disqualification. Since 1963, DQ number three simply states: “Dewclaws on hind legs.” Dewclaws were given their own line and clarified to indicate rear only. If you’re a pet parent in the Morristown or Montville, NJ area and would like to know more about Morris Animal Inn’s award-winning boarding, groomin g, training, and daycare services, give us a call.The first AKC-approved Chesapeake Bay Retriever Standard in 1918 listed six disqualifications including “Dew claws, undershot, overshot, or any deformity.” This disqualification remained the same through the 1933 Standard revision, but in 1963, changes were approved and remain part of the current (1993) Standard. They will know best how to keep your furry friend’s paws safe and healthy! Be sure to ask your vet if you are concerned that your dog’s dewclaws are at risk for injury. Some puppies have them removed before they are weaned. It is not uncommon for dogs with injury-prone dewclaws to have them removed. However in several breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees and Briards, rear dewclaws are common, they may even have a double dewclaw! Voila, the dewclaw! Today, most dogs have dewclaws only on their front paws, and it is rare to find them on their back paws. As a result, they began to walk on their toes, with the fifth toe now unable to touch the ground. This added speed required a change! Evolution rocked dog’s legs forward so that their heel would no longer touch the ground. Eventually, the Miacis evolved to live on the ground and became specialized hunters - more like our dogs today.Īs hunters of fast moving prey, speed became an important factor. These animals had five toes to successfully scale and live in the treetops. Over 40 million years ago, an early ancestor of the modern dog was a tree climbing cat-like animal called a Miacis. What do dewclaws actually do? For most dogs, these thumb-like digits serve no functional purpose, but dewclaws are still an interesting part of their evolutionary history!
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