Do Labs Have Webbed Feet?

Have you ever been curious about your Labrador’s feet? While it’s probably not the hottest topic of conversation, if you take one glance at his paws you would likely be curious about the way they look and why they are like that. So what’s the deal with your Retriever? Do Labs have webbed feet, and is it normal for his breed?

So, do Labs have webbed feet? Yes. As a matter of fact, all dogs have webbing (to a certain extent). Think of webbing like the skin in between your fingers. The Labrador, however, does have more webbing than many other dogs. This is due to the fact that he was originally bred for swimming and catching fish, and continues to be a great swimmer.

If you are curious about your Labs paws then you have come to the right place. It’s fairly interesting the meaning behind why your Lab has such a generous amount of webbing on his feet, and we will discuss that in more detail when you keep reading. We will also be sharing other fun facts about Labrador’s unique structure, too.

What is Webbing?

When you hear the term ‘webbed feet’, you likely think of a duck. Their webbed feet are obviously webbed with a pronounced amount of skin in between the toes. Of course, this is to help him glide through the water effortlessly. But when it comes to dogs, is the webbing the same?

To put it simply, yes, webbing is essentially the same between every species.

While the duck has prominent webbing that can be seen with ease, dogs have a slightly less amount of webbing. Even humans have some webbing in between their toes and hands.

Whether it’s on a duck or a dog, it’s all there for the same reason: to help your dog be able to swim.

The other parts of his paw, such as the padding, allows him to grip in all types of terrains while the claws will ensure he is able to dig in the ground with ease.

Do All Dogs Have Webbing Between Their Paws?

If your dog is not known to be a ‘swimming breed’, then you might think that his paws have a lack of webbing. But the fact of the matter is that all dogs have webbing- it is the amount of webbing that differs from breed to breed.

What About the Labrador?

When it comes down to the Labrador Retriever, he is known to have a significant amount of webbing on his paws.

And as we previously mentioned this is simply because Labs are great swimmers and thoroughly enjoy spending their time in the water.

The History Behind Labradors and Their Webbed Feet

At this point, you are likely wondering- Why does the Labrador have such pronounced webbing on their feet, anyway?

Labradors have a very fond love for swimming in the water, but that isn’t necessarily why they have such webbed paws. It all goes back to the history behind why Labradors were bred in the first place.

Did you know that Labrador Retrievers were originally bred to be hunters? In their beginning stages, the Labrador would hunt with his owner. Most of the time, though, the hunting would take place in the ice-cold waters of Newfoundland.

The Labrador’s job was to jump into the icy lakes and hunt for fish. That being said, the Labrador needed webbed feet in order to help him swim and navigate through the water.

These dogs were continuously bred with one another in an attempt to keep the webbing intact and prominent, and the webbing holds true even to this day.

Another cool fact about the Labrador is their double coat, which is another reason why they were chosen to help the fishermen.

The Labrador has a double coat with a water-resistant top layer and insulating undercoat. Together, this helps him stay warm even when he is whipping around through icy waters, and he can easily shake off the water when he’s done.

The webbed feet and double coat are what generates your Labrador’s love for the water.

It’s also what helps him to be so successful in any type of water he finds himself in. Even the most ice-cold rivers and lakes are no match for your water-loving canine.

5 Potential Paw Problems to Look Out For

While the webbing is completely normal and nothing to worry about, there are a few things that should catch your attention. Unfortunately, even the webbed wonders of the Labrador Retriever are not immune to potential paw problems. Here are the top 5 things to watch out for:

1. Allergies

Yes, your furry friend can have allergies, too.

You will notice an allergy with your Lab if his paws appear to be red and inflamed. He may also start to lick his paws more regularly than before.

2. Bacterial Infections

Of course, bacterial infections are never going to be a good thing when it comes to your dog’s paws.

If you notice that he is licking and biting his paws excessively and there is swelling, redness, and itching, then it might be time for a vet checkup.

3. Fungal Infection

Another type of infection to be concerned about is the fungal infection.

Licking excessively is going to be a big indicator of fungal infection as well as reddened nail beds.

4. Ringworm

Your Labrador Retriever, who loves to be outside, can certainly find himself with ringworm in his paws.

Keep in mind, though, that ringworm is not actually a worm and will take on the appearance of a rash or some type of swollen abscess.

5. Toenail Injury

Your poor, athletic Labrador Retriever can also find himself with a devastating toe injury!

If you notice that the nails are starting to become worn down or ingrown, you might need some help from the vet to bring them back to good health.

To put it simply, your Labrador Retriever is supposed to have wide, webbed paws in order to help him glide through the water with ease. But anytime you notice something ‘off’ about his paws, you need to get it checked out. The last thing you want to do is have your athletic, loving, and cute Lab in pain.

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