my rottie pup has extra toes

by DAVID
(EDINBURGH)

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY MY 10 WEEK OLD PUP HAS 5 CLAWS ON EACH BACK PAW. THESE ARE NOT DEW CLAWS BECAUSE HE HAS A DEW CLAW AS WELL THE CLAWS ARE CONNECTED BY BONE. HE HAS BEEN VET CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY AS THE PUPS HEALTH/LIFE WONT BE AFFECTED.

IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS WITH THEIR ROTTWEILER I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM THEM. HE IS A HANDSOME WEE GUY AND SEEMS TO BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY PLAYING WITH MY 18MONTH OLD BITCH.

BUT I CANT HELP FEARING THE WORST FOR HIM IN THE FUTURE. SOMEONE PLEASE PUT MY MIND AT REST…

Hi David
As far as I know, having an extra toe on the back feet is something that happens now and then, a minor birth defect but nothing to worry about.

It’s not confined to any one breed and can happen to any puppy. It is different to the dewclaws, although some breeds do occasionally have 2 dew claws.

As long as your puppy is healthy and happy and your veterinarian isn’t worried, then I would advise that you don’t need to worry either. I have never heard of extra toes being linked to any kind of illnesses or health conditions that could cause serious problems. However, of course your own vet is your best source of information and advice.

If anyone reading this can help put David’s mind at rest please feel free to jump in by using the ‘comments’ feature below.

Comments for my rottie pup has extra toes

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Sep 01, 2017

It’s normal NEW
by: Sharnae

Hey guys! Firstly, it is completly normal, dew claws on the rear legs happen from time to time in any breed, the are not for any convenients of the pup, but i 110% reasure you it is normal. Some veeeders have them removed when the pups are born, some leave them. My first mixed breed rottweiler had rear dew claws, best dog I ever owned, my new pure bred has rear dew claws, it happens! Don’t stress, it will never affect the pup 🙂


Apr 05, 2017

Mine had too NEW
by: Lucas

My Rott had 6 toes on each of his back legs (double “thumbs”). Wasn’t a problem during all his life, he was a happy and active dog. Sadly, died at age 10 from a kidney disease. Most amazing dog I ever had, a true friend.


Dec 09, 2016

Two extra toes NEW
by: Charlie Louise

Hi guys,

My 12 week old puppy,Nigel, also has an extra toe on each back foot. He’s like a furry little velociraptor. He is happy, healthy & completely adorable.

I’m keeping an eye on him to ensure they don’t catch on anything but I’m not concerned as the vet is pleased with his health


Oct 14, 2016

My mix rescue has a dangling extra toe NEW
by: Rosanna

Penny is her name. She weighs 8 lbs. The cutest little thing. Her extra toe is on her back left paw. She skips on that leg when she runs. For that reason I asked the vet. His response, the toe isn’t harming her in any way. But if I want they can remove it next time she has her teeth cleaned and is under anesthesia. That was a year ago, I haven’t done anything about it. The nail grows like the other toes. For now I’m letting it be.


Sep 08, 2016

7 toes NEW
by: Jennifer

I have a rott that has 7 toes on each back foot and is as healthy as can be!!! He is a little over a yr.and is huge!! He loves to play ,eat and go swimming!!!! He is very loving and I hope one day he will grow in to his feet!!!!


Sep 08, 2016

7 toes NEW
by: Jennifer

I have a rott that has 7 toes on each back foot and is as healthy as can be!!! He is a little over a yr.and is huge!! He loves to play ,eat and go swimming!!!! He is very loving and I hope one day he will grow in to his feet!!!!


Sep 08, 2016

7 toes NEW
by: Jennifer

I have a rott that has 7 toes on each back foot and is as healthy as can be!!! He is a little over a yr.and is huge!! He loves to play ,eat and go swimming!!!! He is very loving and I hope one day he will grow in to his feet!!!!


Sep 08, 2016

7 toes NEW
by: Jennifer

I have a rott that has 7 toes on each back foot and is as healthy as can be!!! He is a little over a yr.and is huge!! He loves to play ,eat and go swimming!!!! He is very loving and I hope one day he will grow in to his feet!!!!


Sep 08, 2016

7 toes NEW
by: Jennifer

I have a rott that has 7 toes on each back foot and is as healthy as can be!!! He is a little over a yr.and is huge!! He loves to play ,eat and go swimming!!!! He is very loving and I hope one day he will grow in to his feet!!!!


Aug 05, 2016

extra toenail NEW
by: Anonymous

My rottweiler pup has an extra nail on his one hind paw. I’ve been told today that it means he is not a pure bred. Is this true?


Aug 05, 2016

My pug puppy’s tumb looking toe NEW
by: Anonymous

My pug puppy Sadie has what looks to be an opposable thumb I check her mother (Lexie)(which I own)and she doesn’t even have it. I have no idea where this came from but its pretty cool


May 04, 2016

My pitbull NEW
by: Anonymous

Our 2 full breed pitbulls just had 7 puppies and the one we pick was the only one that had 5 actual toes on all four paws and they are not dewclaws they’re an extra toe! I have no clue what that means but my puppy seems healthy and happy so I’m hoping it won’t effect him


Sep 08, 2015

My jack russell mix NEW
by: Anonymous

My jack russell mix has two dew claws and only one of them is connected by bone. Apparently very rare.


Nov 07, 2014

Rottweiler Puppy NEW
by: Bhumi

I have 4 months old rottweiler puppy they have total 22 fingers , 10 in front legs 12 in Back legs , it’s ok or any problems in young age plz detail me or I need to operate his back leg .


Jan 20, 2012

Extra toes better than extra nose NEW
by: Christopher Bayhi

The 5th toe (in addition to the dew claw) is a genetic defect that happens every now and then with Rottweilers. GSDs and other breeds are predisposed to having them as well. There shouldn???t be a problem with it as long as you keep the nail trimmed as you would the other nails. If you show the dog is may be considered a fault.

Most COE breeders will have the dew claws removed at about 3 days old (when tails are docked) for two reasons:

1st the AKC Breed Standard specifically states rear dew claws must be removed. If they aren???t it???s considered a fault. If you???re not showing your boy it???s no big deal.

2nd (and more importantly)is that for some unknown reason dew claws seem to grow faster than the regular claws on the feet. If not trimmed, the dew claw can get hung up on something and be physically ripped from the leg, causing much pain, bleeding and an emergency visit to the vet. At a local shelter I saw a dog with a rear dew claw neglected (untrimmed) to the point where it had curled up into the ???meat??? of the leg. This resulted in a lame dog that required surgery to amputate the dew claw. A local vet was generous enough to do the surgery for free!

Bottom line is I wouldn???t be worried about the extra toe on the foot, but keep those dew claws trimmed! If you plan on having your dog fixed, that would be the ideal time to have the extra toe removed if it starts causing problems. It would also be an excellent time to have the rear dew claws removed if you???re having trouble keeping up with trimming or they start to curl in and cause your boy problems.


Jan 20, 2012

Extra toes better than extra nose NEW
by: Christopher Bayhi

The 5th toe (in addition to the dew claw) is a genetic defect that happens every now and then with Rottweilers. GSDs and other breeds are predisposed to having them as well. There shouldn???t be a problem with it as long as you keep the nail trimmed as you would the other nails. If you show the dog is may be considered a fault.

Most COE breeders will have the dew claws removed at about 3 days old (when tails are docked) for two reasons:

1st the AKC Breed Standard specifically states rear dew claws must be removed. If they aren???t it???s considered a fault. If you???re not showing your boy it???s no big deal.

2nd (and more importantly)is that for some unknown reason dew claws seem to grow faster than the regular claws on the feet. If not trimmed, the dew claw can get hung up on something and be physically ripped from the leg, causing much pain, bleeding and an emergency visit to the vet. At a local shelter I saw a dog with a rear dew claw neglected (untrimmed) to the point where it had curled up into the ???meat??? of the leg. This resulted in a lame dog that required surgery to amputate the dew claw. A local vet was generous enough to do the surgery for free!

Bottom line is I wouldn???t be worried about the extra toe on the foot, but keep those dew claws trimmed! If you plan on having your dog fixed, that would be the ideal time to have the extra toe removed if it starts causing problems. It would also be an excellent time to have the rear dew claws removed if you???re having trouble keeping up with trimming or they start to curl in and cause your boy problems.


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About The Rotty lover 2159 Articles
My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone