That entailed chasing after rabbits, digging holes, and diving into them. Wiener dogs have webbed feet for a purpose, believe it or not! Although you might not think of Dachshunds when you think of webbed-footed dogs, these low-slung cuties were designed to hunt badgers. Their thick coat is easier to brush off after a swim, and their large, webbed feet help them dog paddle. Labs are known for their sociable, athletic personalities, but they also make excellent swimmers. Labrador retrievers are so well-known that they don’t need to be introduced, and most Lab owners are aware that their favorite breed is one of the most well-known dogs with webbed paws. Even non-hunting GSPs enjoy being near water! Labrador RetrieverĪ web-footed wonder is America’s most popular dog breed. They also have webbed toes, which aid in swimming in rivers and ponds where they hunt. Their feet are “compact, close-knit, round to spoon-shaped,” according to the American Kennel Club AKC breed standard for German Shorthaired Pointers. GSPs are hunting dogs that are bred to track, point, and recover poultry. Otterhounds are uncommon in the United States, so if you see one, give it a webbed paw-shake! German Shorthaired PointerĪnother hunting dog with webbed feet! This is a breed of dog that originated in Germany. Their large, webbed feet aid in swimming, and their tough, water-resistant coat keeps them cool. Otterhounds are still popular family pets, despite the fact that otter hunting is now illegal. Otterhounds were developed to hunt otters in medieval England, when otters were in abundance. And, of course, their webbed, wide feet make them great paddles! Otterhound They can stay in the water for a long time due to their curly, waterproof coat and athletic endurance. They were bred to assist fishermen on the coasts of Spain and Portugal. Their main skill is obvious from their name: these water dogs are built to swim.

Newfies are now mostly regarded for being wonderful family dogs. They’re also super-strong, so they could pull grown men to safety in the water back in the day. They’re excellent swimmers, thanks in part to their large, webbed feet, which aid in propulsion in the water. The Newfoundland is a large, sweet-tempered working dog that began its career aboard Canadian fishing vessels, where they specialized in water rescues.

A list of several dog breeds having webbed feet can be found here. Rare dog breeds, on the other hand, have webbed feet. Webbed feet are found in some of America’s most popular dog breeds, including Labrador retrievers. However, not every dog with webbed feet swims with them! 8 dogs with webbed feet These dogs are water dogs in general, and webbing aids their swimming. The webbing is intended to provide stability while walking and additional assistance while swimming.Īlthough most dogs have webbing between their toes, several breeds have “webbed feet” that allow them to accomplish specific breed-specific tasks. Their toenails help them dig by providing traction. As they walk, the pads on the bottoms of their feet protect them and offer grip. It’s part of the way paws are made, just as how your fingers have some flesh between them.Įvery portion of a dog’s paw has a specific function. We often think of webbed feet as a feature found only in certain breeds, although webbing between the toes is found in almost all dogs. Swimmer feet are present in all canines (sort of) Continue reading to find out which canines have webbed feet and how those feet help them do what they were bred to do.

Webbed dog feet