Luke seems to make his paws work quite well for himself without them! If you consider the dew claw a thumb, he does use those some, but mostly he just uses his toes to grip his toys.

Those long toes of his always amaze us!

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he’s really enjoying that toy
Brown dawgs do not have dew claws. They were removed when they were small pups. We have known too many pooches that have ripped theirs and it makes for a costly painful recovery. But I think depending on genetics, some dog’s dew claws are in a better position to avoid injury.
Is it mostly hunting dogs and certain breeds that have them removed? Cricket’s were also removed by the breeder, and she was bred to be a hunting dog. But our beagle Kobi also had them removed and he was bred for showing, not hunting, I believe.
But they have been our only two dogs that came from true breeders, and I imagine the casual breeders might not do it.
He does have long toes – very useful!
Luke, buddy, I have to tell you…those toes are almost creepy long and they almost look like fingers in some of the photos!
Love the little pops of color in these! Barley does the same thing. We’ve been working on “other shake” since we needed something easy to work on between our turns in agility class and she’s so one sided that it seemed like a good one to work on–sometimes when I hold that other paw, it’s like she really is gripping my hand to shake it, which is a really weird feeling 🙂
Thanks! I love to play with the color pops.
It sounds like Barley really knows how to use her paws too. Luke grabs a hold of me sometimes with both paws and really holds on. They can be really strong and have quite the grip….it does feel weird!
Great work Luke! Shiner is the same way with her toes. I actually read somewhere a very long time ago that dogs use their dew claws to grip things like their food.
That is some great holding.
Way to go Luke! You look way cool with your yummy blue!
Luke does have some long toes!! He looks like he’s enjoying his toy.
Those toes are pretty amazing. Work it, Luke!
Hi Y’all!
Looks like a fun time!
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
I’m always amazed at how Daisy holds things too, but you’re right about Luke’s toes being long – they look a bit like fingers! He could be a piano player. 🙂
His next trick! LOL
Wow! Luke’s toes ARE long, aren’t they?! Looks like his nails are a bit long, too. Be careful – Shadow tore her nail because it got too long and I didn’t realize it. (Her middle toenails on both front paws get really long, really fast.)
Yes, I know. Clipping his nails is such a project. I got his dew claws done and that’s all I could get in one sitting. But I need to try again to get the rest. I had gotten him better about it, but the last time he was totally uncooperative.
My dogs hold bones like this, too!
He is so smart. The boys use their claws for tapping on my arm when they want something. BOL!
Very SMART!!! Looks like his toes are painted. For sure he is enjoying the partial sun puddle too. Happy Sunday. Golden Woofs
Hey Sugar! Happy Blogiversary!!
Some of Shadow’s nails look painted, too.
He sure makes that toy look good. All that chewing action makes me want to get one of my chew toys out.
He has it perfected.
Luke what long toes you have! I don’t think I’ve used my dew claw like that before but I bet mom is going to start watching to see! Love Dolly
I was going to write that he didn’t use his dewclaws, until I looked at the photos and saw that he did! So you do have to really watch for it. 🙂
Nice toesies Luke! I have an extra toe on each of my front claws so Mom says I do indeed have “thumbs” – she thinks if I tried, I could learn to write. HAHAHA
Hugs, Sammy
We wouldn’t put it past you, Sammy, you are a smart guy! 🙂
I agree with you, thumbs are overrated :o) … but I sometimes wish I had no dewclaws… I had to see the vet-man many times because of a broken/swollen/chipped/injured dewclaw
That is definitely not good. Cricket doesn’t have any dew claws…they were removed at the breeders. I guess we can see why that sometimes might be a good thing!
Love it! Enjoy your toy!!
Those long toes are really cool. My rescue Abby Lab uses her foot to get the treats that drop and scoot off under a counter or chair. They’re clever, aren’t they.
Lin
Unfortunately, Luke also uses his to try and steal things off the kitchen counter! We are having a tough time breaking him of that bad habit.