Catalonian Sheepdog’s (double and joined together) and.Beauceron (double they should be close to the foot to provide a larger weight-bearing surface),.East Siberian Laika, Anatolian Shepherd Dog (double),.Saint Bernard, Estrela Mountain Dog (single or double),.

Portuguese Sheepdog (single or double),.

Yeah, we’ll call them “rear dewclaws” or if there are two, “double dewclaws.” The trait is due to a non-sex-linked recessive gene, and is technically called hind-limb-specific preaxial polydactyly. They don’t really serve any purpose but are considered part of breed type and are never removed. Some breeds, such as Great Pyrenees and several other flock guardian breeds, naturally have one or even two dewclaws on their rear feet as well. The floppy ones can get snagged on fences or hurt running and cause dogs a lot of pain, many breeders removed them by three days of age. This toe is homologous to our thumb, but unlike our thumb, in many dogs it is loosely attached to the wrist area and doesn’t give the dog much gripping power. Yes! In fact, some breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees and the Norwegian Lundehund (Puffin Dog) require the dog have extra toes.īy the way, if you’re staring at your dog’s front feet and only counting four toes per foot, he’s probably had his fifth toe, commonly called the dewclaw, taken off at birth for a cleaner look or to avoid getting it caught on things. Polydactyl cats, as they’re known, aren’t a particular breed, but the trait is genetically determined. Like cats, dogs normally have five toes on their front feet and four on the rear feet.

Visit the Hemingway museum today and you’ll see dozens of cats each with a dozen toes on their front feet. It started by accident: A ship’s captain gave him a white six-toed cat. Ernest Hemingway had a thing for cats with extra toes.

Double dew claw dog breeds