Thank You. I know what they are now but just never knew they were called dew claws. Sheila
_____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of fudwmn Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 7:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Re: Dew Claw Messup A dew claw is the fifth claw on the inside of each front leg. It is usually a bit further up on the leg than the other claws. Liken it to a thumb. Some breeds of cats and dogs also have them on the rear feet; for other breeds rear dew claws may occur on rare occassions and are usually removed to prevent injury because they normally have little tissue connecting them. There are lots of pictures on the net, just do a google search. Dogs walk on their fingers and their wrist is the pastern. There is a bit of controversy about removing dew claws. Some folks say that dogs drop low on their pasterns when they run and may actually use the dew claw for traction esp. on sharp turns. My dogs use them to clean their faces and ears and to stabilize bones. My cat uses them to fight and play; she can fillet you with those things!
