After many years of research Bachman Bay Kennels made the decision to start leaving dew claws on the pups that we produce. We have read the literature, talked to the experts and watched thousands of dogs in hunting and field trialing conditions. We feel this is the best move for our dogs and our breeding program. 

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We based our decision on discussions with multiple veterinarians three of which were also wirehair breeders they all have done vet work in Montana, Oregon and the midwest and they all agreed they rarely see hunting dogs with torn dew claws that require surgery. The benefits of keeping them on far out-way the possible implications of removing them. The Veterinarians that we talked to all agree that it is VERY IMPORTANT TO TRIM DEW CLAWS! If dew claws get left too long and the dog is not exercised in terrain where they wear down there could be splits and tears and other problems can occur. 

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We also based part of our decision on discussions with many long-time wirehair breeders some of which have produced over forty litters with dew claws and never had a reported incident with any of the pups they produced and sold to hunters across the united states. 

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As avid bird hunters and field trialers we see our dogs using their dew claws in many situations while hunting chukars and grouse in steep terrain and in the snow. They use them to grip going up and down steep terrain. They also use them to get back up on the ice when retrieving waterfowl during late season hunts. We saw this recently where one wirehair we purchased did not have dew claws and the pup we produced that did. Both dogs fell through the ice while duck hunting the dog with dew claws easily got out and back up on the ice. The dog with out required us to break the ice all the way out to rescue them. A golden retriever breeder got some video of a similar situation and we have attached a link to that video below. 

 

There are also many tendons that attach the dew claws that could be damaged during removal and have lifelong negative effects on the dogs athletic performance. Veterinarian Christine Zink produced a very nice synopsis of this concept see link at the bottom of the page. Sellon et al. 2018 found that the dew claw was the least likely digit to be injured in agility sports. We attached a link to the full article below. 

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If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us. 

 

Contact Dominic @ Bachmanbaykennels@gmail.com or 530-708-2141. 

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