Mine does not have one and the breeder I use never has them removed. Not all dogs have them Sheila
_____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of AnneL Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:50 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] CONCERNED ?dewclaw? > What exactly is that? I thought I new a bit about chi's but, my > little pup has only 4 claws on her back paws. > What does that mean? Is she abnormal? All that means is that her breeder probably removed them before you ever got her. Many breeders routinely remove dewclaws from puppies when they're very young. A dewclaw is a vestigial claw higher up on the side/back of the legs, usually the front legs -- many dogs are born entirely without hind dewclaws. Here's a picture: http://en.wikipedia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewclaw> .org/wiki/Dewclaw Since these aren't needed anymore, apparently, often they're only loosely attached and nonfunctional. Sometimes dogs will catch them in things, causing pain and even injury, so a lot of breeders routinely clip them off puppies. Anne
