BigGameHoundsmen.com

I have an honest question for guys that have litters of pups. Dewclaws. To remove or not? I know they can be beneficial for climbing, grabbing, etc..... But I also know that they can cause problems if caught on something ..... I have seen both in the hound world, some with and some without from big time breeders... So I'd like to know your opinion and why would or wouldn't you...

Dew claws . on the front legs may or may not be functioning. Hardly if ever are dew claws on the hind legs of any use. All this varies to bred of dog. But we're talking about hounds or dogs with high amounts of hound blood in them. My dogs don't have rear dew claws but if they did I would remove them.
Their front are fully functional. They are also fairly low and forward located. I leave them alone. Its usually rocky and uneven places I hunt. This probably has some effect but I don't find them overgrown . its a simple enough deal to trim nails if you ever need to.

On the other hand its similar to docking tails. There's some dogs where they beat their tails bloody no matter were they are inside,kenneled or hunting. And the majority that never split their tail in their lives. To me it hardly justifies docking all of them for the rare instance its a issue.
If that method of thought is your guide you should dock all their ears as well. My hounds seldom reach their second birthday with intact ears. And many end up missing large portions of them. Then there's the added risk of various infections of the inner ear due to the increased moisture . some people say the floppy ears keep debris and seeds out better the a open erect type ear. This is probably true to a extent. But if a seed etc. Does get in a hounds ear it coming out on its own before causing irritation is unlikely.
Rough coated hounds are still bred and were common in some areas at certain periods. But having spent long hours pulling burrs and other trash out of terrier coats and even the longer silky coats of setters, I don't see any point in these coats in the hunting field.
I have hunted some really great springer spaniels . but even their coat can be a bit much.
Hounds for the most part are bred for function. Breeding away from non useful traits like dewclaws is just as easy in most cases as trimming every litter you produce .

Cut them off. Do it before they are three days old. Toe nail clippers or surgical scissors. Make sure you get all of the dew claw up close to the leg bone. While you are at it cut about 1/4 inch of their tail off also. Dewey

I've never had any problems with dew claws while hunting the west coast BUT if you hunt in snow country i would definitely remove them.