Rear Dew Claws Dog Breeds: 5 Essential Breeds and Safe Care

Looking for rear dew claws dog breeds? The Great Pyrenees, Briard, and Beauceron are best known for them: their breed standards require double dewclaws on each rear leg. The Icelandic Sheepdog is also associated with rear dewclaws, which its standard calls desirable. In many other dogs, rear dewclaws turn up only occasionally.

Dewclaws are extra digits that sit higher on the inside of a dog’s leg than the other toes. Rear dewclaws are less common than front ones, and how firmly they’re attached varies from dog to dog. This guide explains which breeds have them, how to care for them, and when to call your veterinarian.

What Are Rear Dewclaws in Dogs?

Veterinarian Jennifer Coates, writing for PetMD, describes dewclaws as essentially the thumbs and big toes of the dog world. Most dogs have five nails on each front foot, counting the dewclaw, and four on each rear foot. Dogs with rear dewclaws have an extra digit on the inside of the hind leg.

Single vs. double rear dewclaws

• Single rear dewclaw: one extra digit on the inside of each hind leg.
• Double rear dewclaws: two extra digits on each hind leg, sometimes sitting close together.

Firm vs. loose attachment

• Attached by bone and joints: PetMD says a single front dewclaw is usually firmly attached by bone and ligaments. Some rear dewclaws are well formed, too. The Briard standard says the rear dewclaws ideally form “additional functioning toes.”
• Attached by soft tissue: PetMD notes that rear and double dewclaws tend to be attached only by skin, so they’re more mobile. That’s a tendency, not a rule for every dog.

Rear Dew Claws Dog Breeds: Which Breeds Have Them?

The table below separates breeds whose written standard requires rear dewclaws from breeds where they’re desirable or simply allowed. Quotes come from the breed standards published by the United Kennel Club (UKC), a US registry.

A breed standard describes the ideal show dog. An individual dog, especially a mix or a pet-bred dog, may not match it exactly.

Breeds Known for Double Rear Dewclaws

Among rear dew claws dog breeds, three stand out because their standards make double rear dewclaws a must-have for the show ring.

Great Pyrenees

The UKC standard states that there are double dewclaws on both rear legs and lists their absence as a disqualification. Front dewclaws may be single or double. PetMD also notes that removing a Great Pyrenees’s dewclaws disqualifies it from the show ring.

Briard

The Briard standard requires two dewclaws on each rear leg, placed low to give the foot a wide base. It adds that, ideally, they form additional functioning toes. If a dewclaw nail breaks off, the dog isn’t penalized as long as the digit is still there.

Beauceron

The UKC standard says there must be double dewclaws on the inside of the hind legs, well defined, close to the foot, and distinct from one another. Lack of double rear dewclaws is a disqualification.

Icelandic Sheepdog

This breed is closely associated with rear dewclaws, but its standard is less strict. The UKC standard says double dewclaws are desirable on the rear and lists a lack of dewclaws as a serious fault, not a disqualification.

Why Some Dogs Have Rear Dewclaws

In breeds like the Great Pyrenees, Briard, and Beauceron, double rear dewclaws are written into the breed standard, so breeders select for them. That’s a big reason these breeds have them so consistently.

Outside the classic rear dew claws dog breeds, these extra digits can show up occasionally, including in mixed breeds. The sources we checked don’t explain the exact genetics behind them. The original version of this article listed many other breeds; we’ve removed those we couldn’t confirm with a breed standard or veterinary source.

Are Rear Dewclaws Normal?

Yes. Rear dewclaws are a normal anatomical variation, not a health problem on their own. In rear dew claws dog breeds like the Briard, they’re expected. In other breeds, they’re simply less common.

Whether they do anything useful depends on the dog. PetMD notes that firmly attached front dewclaws can provide extra traction and help stabilize the wrist, but the usefulness of loosely attached dewclaws is less clear. The Briard standard, on the other hand, describes rear dewclaws that ideally act as functioning toes. So it’s fair to say function varies between breeds and individual dogs.

Do Rear Dewclaws Need Special Care?

Owners of rear dew claws dog breeds should add those extra nails to every grooming session. PetMD explains that dewclaws need regular nail trims like other nails. Because they rarely touch the ground, they don’t wear down naturally and can become overgrown, so they may need trimming more often.

Dewclaw care checklist

• Check rear dewclaws every time you trim your dog’s other nails.
• Part long fur around the hind legs so you can see each dewclaw clearly. Breeds like the Great Pyrenees and Briard have thick coats that can hide them.
• Look for nails curling back toward the skin, cracks, or redness.
• Trim small amounts at a time, and avoid the quick.
• Ask your vet or groomer to show you how to trim double dewclaws, which can sit close together.

New to nail trims? Our guide on trimming a dog’s nails without cutting the quick walks you through the basics.

Can Rear Dewclaws Be Injured?

Yes, they can, and owners of rear dew claws dog breeds should know the risks. Because rear dewclaws sit off the main foot and may be loosely attached, they can catch on carpet, brush, or fencing. PetMD notes that dewclaw nails can be partially or completely pulled off, broken, split, infected, or ingrown.

That doesn’t mean every rear dewclaw will be injured. Your dog’s risk may depend on how its dewclaws are attached, its activity level, and where it spends time.

Should Rear Dewclaws Be Removed?

There’s no one answer for all dogs. PetMD describes the value of removing rear or double dewclaws to prevent injury as “up for debate.” Decisions usually depend on:

• How the dewclaw is attached and formed
• The dog’s breed, and whether it will be shown
• Activity level and past injuries
• Any medical problem, such as a severe injury or a tumor
• Your veterinarian’s assessment of that individual dog

Puppies: In some breeds, dewclaws are removed in very young puppies. PetMD says that when this is done, a veterinarian should perform it while puppies are under 5 days old, after numbing the area with a local anesthetic. Opinions on the practice differ, and it isn’t automatically beneficial.

Adults: When an adult dog’s rear dewclaws are removed, PetMD notes it’s typically done during another surgery such as a spay or neuter, or because of a medical problem. Removal isn’t recommended as a routine procedure without an individual vet assessment.

Show dogs: For rear dew claws dog breeds such as the Great Pyrenees, Briard, and Beauceron, removing rear dewclaws would disqualify the dog under its breed standard.

When to Contact a Veterinarian

Whether or not your dog is one of the rear dew claws dog breeds, call your vet if a rear dewclaw is:

• Torn, broken, or hanging loose
• Bleeding
• Swollen, red, or warm
• Painful, or your dog is licking, limping, or won’t let you touch the foot
• Oozing discharge or smelling bad, which can be signs of infection
• Growing into the skin or pad

PetMD advises having a vet assess dewclaw injuries quickly. Treatment may include removing the damaged nail, trimming an ingrown nail under sedation if needed, and prescription medication. If bleeding is heavy or won’t stop with gentle pressure, contact your vet or a 24/7 emergency animal hospital right away.

Rear Dew Claws Dog Breeds: FAQs

Which dog breeds have double rear dewclaws?

The Great Pyrenees, Briard, and Beauceron are best known for them. Their breed standards require double rear dewclaws, and lacking them is a disqualification. The Icelandic Sheepdog standard calls double rear dewclaws desirable.

Are rear dewclaws rare in dogs?

They’re less common than front dewclaws. Most dogs have four nails on each rear foot, but some breeds and individual dogs have one or two extra digits on the hind legs.

Do rear dewclaws have a purpose?

It depends on the dog. Some rear dewclaws are well formed, and the Briard standard describes them ideally as functioning toes. Others are attached only by skin, and their usefulness is less clear.

Should I have my dog’s rear dewclaws removed?

Not routinely. Removal depends on your dog’s anatomy, breed, activity, injury history, and medical needs. Ask your veterinarian to assess your dog before deciding.

How often should I trim rear dewclaws?

Check them whenever you trim your dog’s other nails. Because dewclaws don’t wear down on the ground, they may need trimming more often than the other nails.

What should I do if my dog tears a dewclaw?

Keep your dog calm, protect the foot, and call your veterinarian. Seek emergency care if bleeding is heavy or won’t stop. Don’t try to cut or remove the dewclaw at home.

Final Verdict: Rear Dew Claws Dog Breeds

The best-known rear dew claws dog breeds are the Great Pyrenees, Briard, and Beauceron, whose standards require double rear dewclaws, plus the Icelandic Sheepdog, where they’re desirable. Rear dewclaws are normal, but they need regular nail checks and trims. Talk to your veterinarian about any injury or removal question for your own dog.