Glossary

Dewclaw

A small extra digit on the inner side of a dog's leg above the paw, found on the front legs of most dogs and on the hind legs of some breeds.

Also called: dew claw, dew claws, dewclaw removal, rear dewclaw, double dewclaws

A dewclaw is the extra digit set higher up on the inside of a dog's leg, like a thumb that does not touch the ground. Most dogs have them on the front legs. Rear dewclaws are less common and occur in certain breeds. Some breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees and the Briard, are expected to have double dewclaws on the hind legs, and their breed standards say so.

A front dewclaw is usually attached by bone and muscle, while a rear one may be attached by skin only. The nail does not wear down, so owners trim it to avoid snagging. Some puppies have dewclaws removed in the first days of life, and this is a decision for breeders and a vet.

Many dogs use the front ones for gripping, and they are not a fault in themselves. Standards differ by breed on dewclaws, so check the breed standard.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Hock The joint on a dog's hind leg between the lower thigh and the foot, roughly the equivalent of a human ankle, used in judging structure and movement. Withers The ridge between a dog's shoulder blades at the base of the neck, the standard point from which a dog's height is measured. Tail docking and ear cropping The surgical shortening of a dog's tail and reshaping of its ears for looks; banned or restricted in many countries and opposed by vets when cosmetic. Breed standard The written description of an ideal dog of a breed, covering size, proportions, coat, colour, movement and temperament, used to judge dogs and guide breeding.