Whether they step on something sharp or their feet get dry and cracked, you should have a treatment kit ready to handle any problems.
Which dogs have webbed feet how to#
How to Protect Your Lab’s Paw Webbing Do Labrador Retrievers Have Webbed FeetĪlthough labs have strong webbing, there’s a chance they could be injured. Injured, or you want a prep kit, read on. If your dog’s foot webbing looks too thin. They’re also incredibly athletic, possessing excellent endurance and strength to swim for 10 to 30 minutes. Labs remain among the best swimmers in the world, though. However, every breed has unique origins that allow it to do well in water. Less shedding means less clumped hair, oiliness, and weight.Īs you can see, Labradors aren’t the only ones with webbed toes. Furthermore, it doesn’t shed too much if it’s adequately brushed. As explained by Lorken Farms, a lab’s coat allows it to swim quickly without being pulled back by the weight of wet hair. They were used for hunting and retrieving their prey, hence the name, ‘Labrador Retriever.’Īnother trait that made Labrador Retrievers such good water dogs is their water-repellent coat. Labrador Retrievers are from Newfoundland, which is surrounded by water. Labs have webbed feet for the same reason as other water dogs Their origins can be traced back to places with lots of sand, water, mud, or a combination of all three. In fact, some dogs aren’t prepared for swimming whatsoever! Their Origins Matter As you read earlier in the article, all dogs are born with them, but they’re not all water dogs. These breeds are capable of swimming and wading through water without any issues. Lesser-known water dogs include otterhounds, German short-haired pointers, and American water spaniels. Alongside Labrador Retrievers, you’ll also recognize poodles, Dachshunds, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. The breeds that keep the majority of their paw webbing are known as water dogs. It stays the same size as their paws grow, making it much less effective. K9 of Mine suggests all dogs have webbing, but many of them lose it as they get older. It directly impacts their ability to swim. The amount of webbing depends on their breed and genetics, though. You might not be able to see it, but your dog has webbing between its toes. In fact, the only dogs that don’t have webbed feet experienced an injury or birth issue. Are Labs the Only Dogs With Webbed Feet?Īlmost all dogs have webbed feet. If you want to learn more about other breeds with paw webbing, proceed to the next section. More or less, webbing isn’t a severe issue, but it’s worth asking your vet if anything’s wrong. Less webbing isn’t a problem, though your dog might not be able to swim as quickly or easily.Īs you can see, all Labrador Retrievers are supposed to have webbed feet, but the amount differs. More webbing allows your dog to swim and push through various terrain easier. It’s not a problem as much as a ‘luck of the draw’ as described by Embark Vet. Some labs have more webbing than others.As your dog relaxes its feet, the webbing recedes. It also works wonders when getting through mud, sand, snow, and other challenging terrains. When their toes spread apart, the webbing creates a wide surface so that they can push and pull water. It’s a thin membrane connecting your toes.So, what is paw webbing, and why does your Labrador have it? They have to fight gravity and their body weight, which are far too much for their paw’s webbing to handle. Overweight dogs have trouble swimming because they’re not balanced enough to stay afloat. The only issues standing in their way are fear of water, loud noises, or obesity. Labs can navigate ponds, lakes, pools, and more without sinking. The webbing is a big reason most puppies can swim without any training.Ĭompared to humans, dogs are excellent at swimming from birth. Contrary to popular belief, it’s much more effective than people think. According to, almost all dogs worldwide have webbing between their toes. Most of their impressive capabilities come from their intelligence, but did you know labs have evolved to have webbed toes, padded feet, and strong muscles to improve their purpose?Īll Labradors have webbed feet unless they’ve experienced an injury or birth defect. They’re prized for their ability to hunt, swim, and stay on task. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular, beloved dog breeds in the world. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Do Golden Retrievers Have Webbed Feet ()
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