What does dewclaw mean?
A dewclaw is a vestigial claw or digit found on the inner side of a dog's, cat's, or other mammal's leg, positioned higher up than the main toes so that it does not normally touch the ground when the animal stands or walks. Most dogs have dewclaws on their front legs, while rear dewclaws are less common and are sometimes considered undesirable in certain breeds — although breeds such as the Great Pyrenees and Briard are actually required by breed standards to have double rear dewclaws. Because these claws do not wear down naturally through contact with the ground, they can grow long and curl into the pad if left untrimmed, making regular grooming important; loosely attached dewclaws may also catch on fabric and tear, which is why some owners opt for surgical removal in puppies. The word is chiefly encountered in veterinary, grooming, and canine-breeding contexts.
nounA vestigial claw or digit on the leg of a dog, cat, or other mammal, located on the inner side of the paw and not touching the ground when the animal stands. In some animals it is attached only by skin, while in others it is a functional digit.
- A non-weight-bearing claw found on the inner side of a dog's or other mammal's leg, above the paw.
- By extension in anatomy, the corresponding vestigial first digit (the pollex or hallux) in other mammals such as cattle or deer.
"The vet recommended removing the puppy's loose dewclaw to prevent it from snagging on carpet and furniture."
"The groomer carefully trimmed each nail, taking care around the sensitive dewclaw."
"In many herding breeds, the hind dewclaws are fully formed double digits rather than mere vestiges."
Regular plural formation; commonly used when discussing multiple animals or the paired claws on one animal's legs.
"Both of the Great Pyrenees' hind legs carried double dewclaws."
Some dog breeds, like the Great Pyrenees, are prized for having double dewclaws on each hind leg — a trait breeders consider essential, not a flaw.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dewclaw
The word combines 'dew' with 'claw', reflecting the folk idea that this high-set claw brushes against dew on grass but never touches the muddy ground itself. It arose in English as a compound of two native Germanic words, both of Old English origin: 'dew' (Old English dēaw) and 'claw' (Old English clġu). The term has been in use since at least the sixteenth century and has no classical cognates, being a distinctly Germanic formation.
How dewclaw is actually used
The term is used almost exclusively in veterinary, grooming, and dog-breeding contexts. Plural is 'dewclaws'. It carries a neutral, technical register rather than informal or figurative use.
Easily confused with dewclaw
A claw is any of the main curved nails on an animal's foot that bear weight, while a dewclaw is specifically the extra, higher-set digit that typically does not touch the ground.