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Dew claw removal
Dew claw removal
The dew claw is similar to a thumb in humans. It helps them grip what they are chewing on. It also supports their wrist bones, particularly while running and maneuvering at speed, or trying to get out of water.
The primary reason to remove the dew claw is aesthetic. There are some people who believe that the dew claw is hazardous as it can get caught on things on the ground and be ripped (just like all nails), but this is really an excuse as far as we believe.
When it is removed it is removed at 3-5 days of age, or when the animal is spayed/neutered (5-6 months).
Health complications from removing the dew claw later in life are common if not severe. Usually it is early onset of arthritis and aches for the dog with weather shifts which can make grooming their leg and paw hard to impossible until the weather clears.
Because the removal of dew claws is in rare cases needed for animal welfare, they cannot make it illegal without potentially harming animals. So it is not illegal in Canada.
We believe that removal of dew claws does not look better, does harm the animal, and will not do it do our puppies.
Unfortunately our parent dogs Lothlorien and Poseidon had their dew claws removed before we were part of their lives and we do have trouble grooming them when the pressure is shifting.
References
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/dog-dewclaws-what-are-they-and-should-they-be-removed
https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/5-things-you-need-know-about-dog-dewclaws
Ear docking
Ear docking
Is an aesthetic surgery that never benefits the animal and as such is illegal in Saskatchewan.
We do not approve of ear docking and would not do it to our puppies even if it was legal, as it is painful to them and serves no purpose other than fashion, which we simply do not believe is a good enough reason.
References
https://www.saskatoonspca.com/download/5b97e4cd-51ac-4fc6-8e66-7358405a2269
Tail docking
Tail docking
Tail docking is an aesthetic procedure. Usually it is performed to make dogs look closer to conformation.
When it is done it is done either when the puppy is new born (under a week) with no pain killers of any kind, or when the dog is old enough for anesthesia, around 8 weeks of age.
Tail docking is literally chopping off part of their spine. The animal needs that. No matter how it is done it is very painful for the animal. There is research coming to the fore now that suggests that tail docking impairs communication with other animals causing behavioural problems, as well as increased risk of incontinence developing.
Tail docking is still legal to perform in Canada, but is in the process of being made illegal in most provinces.
We do not believe tail docking is right and will not do it to our puppies.
Unfortunately our parent dogs Lothlorien and Poseidon had their tails docked before we were part of their lives. This is common in poodles to make the pom pom at the end of their tails made of thicker hair than it is at the end of natural tails. When the weather is shifting they do not want us touching their tales for any reason, and the obvious pain they're in is heart breaking.
References
https://www.saskatoonspca.com/download/5b97e4cd-51ac-4fc6-8e66-7358405a2269
https://www.avma.org/about/canine-tail-docking.aspx/canine-tail-docking-faq
https://www.canadianpetconnection.ca/should-tail-docking-and-ear-cropping-be-legal-in-ontario/
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