If you have been wondering what that thin layer of skin connects each of your dog’s toes, you can rest easy. It’s called webbed feet. One dog breed many people wonder about is the Pitbull dog breed. Do Pitbulls have webbed feet?
Many Pitbulls owners have concluded that their dogs have webbed feet, but technically a wrong assumption. Pitbulls have connective tissue between their toes, but it’s technically not webbed feet. Read on to find out the function of webbed feet and the kinds of dogs that have them.
Does My Pitbull Have Webbed Feet?
Pitbulls don’t have webbed feet. There is a thin connective tissue between their feet, but that is not technically webbing. All dog breeds have some connective tissue between their feet to help them swim and float in water. Pitbulls that possess webbed vertebrae extremely rare.
Dog breeds with webbed feet are typically water dogs like the Labs, Portuguese Water Dogs, or Poodles.
What is Webbed Feet?
Webbed feet are usually made of toes and a thin layer of skin between them called a membrane. It’s the tissue that connects the toes, making them look like duck feet. Dogs that have webbed feet can swim very quickly.
They can paddle through water by propelling themselves the same way your flippers propel you whenever you go snorkeling. Apart from swimming, dogs with webbed feet can also paddle through mud without much difficulty. Ducks, swans, and amphibians are known to have webbed feet. But some dog breeds have webbed feet as one of their prominent features.
Is Having Webbed Feet Dangerous For My Dog?
Dogs with webbed feet enjoy various advantages. However, they can also be dangerous to their health. Dogs walk with their toes, so having webbed feet can lead to limping and some health conditions. Here are some health conditions that can occur in dogs that have webbed feet:
1). Cleft Palate
In some cases, dogs with webbed feet have a cleft palate. Usually, such dogs also have genetic abnormalities. In normal dogs, their mouth roof is stuck together, leaving no blank space. However, if a dog has webbed feet, instead of their mouth roof being stuck together when they were an embryo, their feet became stuck instead.
2). Shortened Tibia-Fibula
The tibia and fibula are the two bones in the lower part of your dog’s legs. They are situated at the back of their leg. These bones are linked to the premature closure of the growth plate. The same gene responsible for webbed toes may also cause the fusion of the tibia and fibula. Shortened tibia and fibula is very dangerous for your dog as it can cause limping and bone fractures. Fortunately, this condition can be corrected with surgery.
3). Scoliosis
If your dog has scoliosis, its spine bends to one side instead of straight. If you want to know if your dog has this skin condition, run your hands through the back of your dog. You can also verify this by checking how your dog carries its weight. Scoliosis is usually associated with limping or difficulty in walking. If this condition is left untreated, your dog can become permanently paralyzed. Since webbed feet and scoliosis are caused by spinal and bone malformations, it’s not surprising that dogs with webbed feet are prone to have scoliosis.
What Are The Dog Breeds That Have Webbed Feet?
Many dog breeds possess webbed feet. Some popular dog breeds with webbed feet are:
1). Otterhound
Otterhounds are rare dogs of British origin. As their name suggests, they hunt otters. Otterhounds have a powerful sense of smell that makes them very useful hunters. They also have big webbed feet that enable them to swim. Their coarse, water-resistant coat helps to regulate their temperature.
2). Labrador Retriever
The Labrador retriever is among the most popular dog breeds in the United States of America. They are very friendly and athletic. They are also very efficient swimmers as their webbed feet help them paddle through the water.
3). Dachshund
Nearly everyone is familiar with this Wiener-Dog. Their long slim bodies are very easy to identify. As adorable and small as they are, they were bred to hunt rabbits and squirrels. Even though having webbed feet, they can still dig holes, grip objects, and dive into holes.
4). Portuguese Water Dog
Water dogs are genetically built to swim. Portuguese Water Dogs have similar characteristics with Newfoundlands, but they’re not as heavy or wooly. These water dogs assist fishers by herding schools of fish toward the fisherman’s nest. They were also bred to communicate messages from boat to boat and retrieve items. Portuguese water dogs are smaller than Newfoundlands, so they are not built for heavy lifting or carrying loads.
Conclusion For “Do Pitbulls Have Webbed Feet”
Pitbulls are not classified among dog breeds that possess webbed feet. They have thin connective tissue that joins their toes together. If you have a dog with webbed feet just like that of a duck, you can discuss your concerns with your vet.
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For more information related to “Do Pitbulls Have Webbed Feet,” watch “12 Dog Breeds with Webbed Feet” from Little Paws Training down below: