We all love the canine beings as our pets. But have you ever seen one with webbed feet? If not, we are here to enlighten you. Not all breeds exhibit the distinct webbed feet.
Only some have that particular advantage. They acquired these either naturally or through long years of the evolution process. Such breeds tend to be very brave no matter what size they are. So, which dogs have webbed feet? We are going to answer that question here along with a few others.
Table of Contents
What Are Webbed Feet For Dogs?
Webbed feet is an unusual term to use with dogs. We typically relate webbed feet to aquatic animals. Images of frogs, ducks, and otters pop up in our mind when we mention webbed feet. Surprisingly, dogs can have webbed feet as well.
However, their feet are not as webbed as the mentioned animals. That is because they need to walk on the surface, unlike the aquatic animals. Having fully webbed feet would make it much harder for them.
How Are Webbed Feet Helpful for Dogs?
A good number of dog breeds exhibit webbed feet. These breeds can swim in water better than the rest. So, you can take any of them to your favorite lake and pass some quality time. Also, it enhances their chances of survival.
Besides, they can help in retrieving an object from the water. That is why a few Retriever breeds possess webbed feet. Whenever you accidentally drop something in the shallow water, they can bring it back to you.
The webbed feet dog breeds can also track down otters in streams and capture fishing nets.
Degrees of Webbing
In a sense, all dogs have their feet webbed to a certain degree. There is always some skin connecting two consecutive toes. However, that doesn’t make those feet webbed.
The breeds with genuinely webbed feet have a visible skin membrane between toes. This membrane can extend up to the third phalanges in some breeds.
List of Dogs with Webbed Feet:
1. Portuguese Water Dog
These cute little munchkins are a delight for their masters. They have thick black fur all over and are very small in size. Because of their compact size, they can’t carry heavy loads.
They typically work to herd fish towards fishing nets. Other than that, these dogs can also retrieve small objects and convey messages between boats.
2. Dachshund
Dachshund or Wiener dogs are a very common breed. Their long body is their trademark. This shape enables them to get into any tight space and help their masters.
The other membrane between their toes makes their feet webbed. Instead of swimming, these webbed feet actually help them to dig. They use this web like a shovel to move the dirt out.
3. Weimaraner
Compared to the first two breeds, this one is a much larger dog. Royalties used to depend on Weimaraners to retrieve bodies of hunted animals.
The nature of the web between their feet helps them to move through water and soil. As a result, they can chase aquatic animals into the water. The webbed feet paired with their arched toes enable them to move through any terrain.
4. Otterhound
This rare breed originally belongs to the UK. Hunters used them to find otters faster and hence the name. They have arched toes similar to Weimaraners.
Because of the webbed arched toes and thick pads, they can walk through mud and water efficiently. The webbing also keeps their grip on moist land through foot spreads.
5. Newfoundland
Newfoundland is one of those breeds who can smoothly walk through water. They have one of the most advanced webbed feet for dogs. They can move through the water effortlessly with their long toes.
These dogs can even stay underwater for a while with their thick and waterproof coating. You can trust them to pull in fish or even save you from getting drowned. They are great at swimming and retrieving floating items.
6. Redbone Coonhound
Redbone Coonhounds are one of the bravest dog breeds. It will keep you safe by scaring off the dangerous preying animals. Hunters depend on them to lock their target in position.
These European-American dogs can also walk through swampy places like a pro. That is why you can see a bunch of these in the southern area of the USA.
7. American Water Spaniel
These small adorable dogs help both hunters and fishermen. They bring back the shot birds and catch or haul fishes.
The distance between their toes is a lot shorter than other breeds. Such webbed feet also makes them proficient swimmers.
8. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
This is one of the favorite dog breeds among hunters. Its long muscular body and energetic nature is the reason behind this liking. You can identify them from the rough double-layered coating and the square muzzle.
The webbed and padded feet of these dogs are very firm. They are great at both swimming and retrieving items.
9. German Wirehaired Pointer
Similar to the previous breed, this one also helps hunters efficiently. They have a thick coat and strong smelling powers along with the webbed feet. The nature of their webbed feet is a big factor in their efficiency.
It enables them to run through water and dry land at the same speed. So the hunters can look for targets in any terrain.
10. Labrador Retriever
Along with being a good retriever, these dogs are great swimmers. The waterproof coating in the webbed feet makes it possible. Besides, these feet also help them survive in cold areas with frequent snowfalls.
The webs between toes prevent the accumulation of snow in that area. As a result, they are always safe from the excruciating pain.
11. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
These short, sweet dogs have a pretty thick coating. The name comes from their high adaptability to the cold atmosphere of Chesapeake Bay. They usually help hunters to retrieve ducks.
The webbed feet allow them to swim efficiently. The primarily rounded toes, on the other hand, help them have strong grips on land.
Conclusion
Webbed feet make this particular dog breeds a warrior of sorts. Many of them can swim, retrieve and hunt efficiently all at the same time.
So their masters can benefit from them a lot more. However, if your dog doesn’t have webbed feet due to genetic inheritance, it might be a worrying sign. In that case, check up with a vet immediately.
You May Also Interested In: