No dew claws, is he still legit?

by Ashley Gierzak
(oxford,ohio,45056)

We purchased a sweet great Pyrenees today from a breeder with no papers as we were looking for a companion dog not a piece of paper.

He checks out on breed specifications except he had no double dew claws and while I'm not sure of exactly how big he should be at 8 weeks under all that fluff was a dog with the build of a Chihuahua.

We already love the little guy and that won't change if he's not a purebred, we have 2 amazing mutts already, but I will be fairly upset if I was lied to and paid $350 for a stretch of the truth. How big should he be at 8 weeks and does the lack of a double dew claws means he's mixed with another breed?

Comments for No dew claws, is he still legit?

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Jul 05, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Breed Standard Says Double Dewclaws A Must Have
by: Frank

The breed standard for Great Pyrenees states it must have double dewclaws. The absence of double dewclaws indicates it is not pure bred.

Conversely, the presence of double dewclaws does not guarantee that it is a pure bred Great Pry, since other breeds also have double dewclaws. All of this to say that absence of double dewclaws is evidence that your puppy is not a purebred Great Pyr.

The breed standard can be found on this site. Look on the navigation bar on the left for Breed Standard.

Regarding the weight of your puppy… our Great Pry weighed in excess of 20 pounds at 8 weeks of age. And under his coat was a miniature version of his adult body, certainly not the body of a Chihuahua by any stretch of the imagination. His adult weight was 128 pounds. Enjoy your new puppy. No doubt he has found a happy home to call his own.
Jul 05, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		don't get to wrapped up in pure breed
by: Ed New Jersey

First and foremost he is a beautiful guy. I would ask if the claws then self are missing or the whole fleashy part and the claws? Next thing is he seems to have a lot of color for a Pyrenees. Even with that being said he can still be a Pyrenees. I find it hard to believe it could not be a birth defect. If it means that much to you spend the $40 to $60 for a DNA test. I have found that every governing body has a bit different outline. Of course some things remain the same, dew claws, slight color marking and basic body styles. I was crazy about do research when I first got Beau. So I did the DNA, checked all the descriptions and even traced him back to his breeder.I found out he is all pyre and still to this day some well meaning expert will tell me he is to big, his head is to broad , or some other problem. He is all pyre but let me tell you what else he is, the best dam dog I ever had or met.breed standard is great but every dog is not meant to be a show dog. As I said he is beautiful and I promise by the time he is one or two he will be a big beautiful dog and you will have all ready got your moneys worth. Look at that puppy and ask yourself what else you need. Now when those well meaning experts question why my beau is so big or his head so broad I just say " I guess I just got lucky! And judgeing from the picture of your little baby, so did you.
Dec 30, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dew claw
by: Anonymous

Hi I would ask breeder if they had the dew claws removed.If you still have questions I would get a DNA test done.some pet stores carry them now.
Feb 15, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dew Claws
by: Donna

No reputable breeder would ever remove the dew claws.

No backyard/puppymill breeder would remove the dewclaws because it would cost money.

It's important to keep them trimmed along with the rest of the dog's nails.

There is a purpose to the dewclaws.
Feb 19, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		Curious question
by: read

I have a great Pyrenees pup who is weighing in at about 30 lb and he is approximately 16 weeks old. He has one double declaw on one back leg. Other leg is a single declaw. Does that mean he is mixed breed?
Mar 19, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		Double Dews
by: Donna

If you look further down you will see the answer to your question and in more detail from
Frank.

Pyrs must have double dews but not all dogs with double dews mean they are Pyrs as other breeds have double dews, as well.

Yours is a mix. DNA companies have had different results. Check out this CBC report. Purebreds always come with registration papers from a recognized kennel club.
Jul 07, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Great pyrenees/Anatolian
by: Anonymous

He looks like a great pyrenees/ Anatolian mix. Alot of people mix these 2 breeds to create a better shepherd dog.

[Mixing two guardian breeds can also create a more aggressive dog so they don't always make family pets. It depends on the amount of socialization and handling they have as pups, and how well they are bred via genetics.]

Here are the breed standards for the Great Pyr.
Nov 01, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yes he can be pure
by: Anonymous

A Great Pyrenees can be a purebred and still have single dew claws. There are genetic variations and mutations.
People who are saying that a purebred must have the double clue claws are wrong. It's just a stupid vanity standard that would disqualify him from a show ring. But that makes no sense.
Feb 09, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dew claws of great pryenees
by: Anonymous

I appreciate the article. I had a great Pyrenees that was 110 lbs and stood 30 inches. He had three floor spots, one on the left ear, one on the right shoulder, and one on the right rear hip. He had the double dew claws. I named him avalanche because he looked like a big snow ball rolling down hill. Lol
Dec 07, 2024
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starstarstarstarstar 		Great Pyrenees double dew removal.
by: SHAUN

I have a 3.5 yr old Pureblood Great Pyrenees, who I rescued from a ranch as he was going to be put down for maming 2 sheep, killing a lamb in front of his ranch mom. So I saved him from a bullet with the help of Grams and the children. He's such a Gentle Giant now , but getting on topic both his rear dews on both rear legs when neutered. They have 11 Great Pyrenees and they're all done. Rancher told me they had more rip off while taking down wolves and coyotes, that it was cheaper to have them removed and safer for the GP, but my Bolt is a Happy House Dog Now
Dec 30, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rear dews - nails
by: Anon

Dews rip off if they are not kept trimmed. They should be left intact as they are there for a reason. Working dogs should be groomed and nails trimmed so their coats can work well and their nails not become ingrown and tear.

Dogs Naturally has a good article of the reason for them.:


Dew Claws
Mar 09, 2025
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Possibly removed
by: Anonymous

Is it at all possible the breeder had them removed? I know it a practice some use when just breeding pets I'm not sure exactly why. I have a great Pyrenees, Anatolian shepherd mix and he's got the double dew claws. And I have also seen many other people with great Pyrenees mixes that still retain the trait. All that to say even if it is a mutt it would be odd to not see the double dew claws.

{A responsible breeder would never remove the dew claws. Yes, mixed breeds can have dew claws if the genes picked up that trait, but if the dog is purebred, they will have two claws with a pad per nail on each leg. Here is an article on dew claws .}

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