Hello! Why do wolves/dogs have dew claws & how do they not get overgrown on wild wolves? it doesn't seem like they touch the ground very much to get worn down...
(Edited; original reply contained some false/misleading information)
Hi! Typically, wolves only have front dew claws but no rear dew claws. Some do, which most likely is due to cross breeding with dogs ("dewclaws in wolves have been generally regarded as a clue of hybridization with dogs").
About the overgrown part and why they have them in the first place; good question that I don't know the answer to, I've never read anything about that. If anyone knows, please share!
@trustthapo added this information on the topic: “The front claws will get worn from running. Watch some slow motion videos of wolves running and you can see them making contact with the ground. They also use them to grip and hold objects, which will also wear them down.“
