BigGameHoundsmen.com

I have had 4 or 5 hounds at a time for 20 years and I cant remember having any problem with needing to have dew claws removed or damaged. I have noticed several references to puppies having them removed lately. Any replies? Is the west harder on feet and legs?

I don't know about other areas but I hunt some pretty brushy and nasty areas. I have never had a problem with it.

Depending on the type of conditions you are hunting dew claws may never become a problem but, crusted snow is the worst thing on dew claws and can force you to have to lay up a hound when simply removing them when the pups were very young would have been an easy fix. Docking tails may not seem important if you have never had a problem with your hounds splitting their tail but if you have ever faced it on an adult dog docking is just one more thing of keeping everything health during the riggers of hunting.

Sourdough

I agree with sourdough, the biggest problems with dew claws for me, is the snow gets crusted up, and dogs breaking through, some will bleed, pretty easy to eliminate the problem at a couple days old

Good question, I'm glad you asked because I felt like the only dumbie. Of course I've never hunted the snow so that explains it. I do have one pup out of my next litter going to snow country though so I'll have to get that done. Thanks for a good question and also thanks for clearing that up guys. Even a hard headed dumbie like me can learn something every day.

a lot o the dogs around here have dew claws removed and docked tails just so you never have to worry about any problems while hunting. its a preventive maintanance thing.

My dogs loose dewclaws every year. My female lost both dewclaws at the same time last year in the rocks down by the river.. I would much prefer the dogs to have them gone..

I have only had 1 rip one - one of the Bassets. Never had any of the coonhounds rip one.

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES. I usally don't hunt crusty snow but that makes good sense.

Another preventative maintenance thing you can do for your pups is cut off the pad. I honestly dont know the name of it but its right above the foot on the backside of the front legs. It grown back but its flat.

We cut the tails, dew claws and pads all at 2 days old. Pretty simple, takes just a few seconds per pup. Alot of this stuff seems stupid to those that have never done it but it can save on your dogs at the end of a day.

You dont need crusted snow to cause problems but it seems to bring out the worst.

Take care, jason