Heidi had hers removed when she was a puppy. Its VERY important that hers were removed as she is a hunting dog, and she would rip them VERY easily. Its a lot safer for her, and I feel better knowing that she can't bleed to death. She had all four of hers removed, well at least I think all four, I can only see 2 scars on her front ones, so I don't know if she had back ones. I guess I will have to look.