DEW CLAWS. 091 



DEW CLAWS. 



Many Wiltshire coursers invariably remove the dew claws, and 

 in very flinty countries it may admit of a doubt whether this 

 practice should be adopted. In all others it is certainly unneces- 

 sary, since these claws are undoubtedly useful in the turn, if not cut 

 by the flints, when of course they become sore, and interfere with, 

 rather than assist, the act of turning. If removed, it should be 

 done at about the third week, with a pair of sharp scissors, drawing 

 the skin well up the leg and from the claw, so as to remove as 

 little of that integument as possible. If they are at all loose they 

 are always better off, but my own opinion is that, if firm and 

 sitting close to the leg, they are in all countries better on than off. 

 It is true, they sometimes get injured, but so do all other parts, 

 but I question whether they do not often save the leg itself from 

 cuts, and thereby serve a useful purpose. Besides, unless really 

 required, no humane man would lend himself to so barbarous an 

 operation, and, therefore, we should be satisfied that the balance 

 is much in favour of the operation before having recourse to it. 



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