Are you curious if Great Pyrenees have webbed feet? It’s a common question, and I did some research to find the answer.
Yes, Great Pyrenees have webbed feet, but it’s not a defining characteristic of the breed. Originally bred to protect livestock, their webbed feet help them walk, swim, dig, and maintain stability, especially in winter.
Whether you’re a Great Pyrenees owner or considering getting one, it’s important to be aware of their webbed feet. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of this adaptation and provide tips on how to care for your furry friend’s paws.
With a little bit of knowledge and observation, you can ensure your Great Pyrenees is comfortable and able to navigate their surroundings with ease. Let’s dive in and learn more about Great Pyrenees’ webbed feet!
Great Pyrenees’ webbed feet are much helpful for walking.
When we explore the primary purpose of this huge dog breed, they originally bred for protecting livestocks.
The Great Pyrenees is one of the ancient breeds of the canine world and their webbed feet are so helpful for their day to day activities.
In most cases, these dogs are using to protect sheep from predators such as wolves, bears. These dogs love to wander over the mountains with their sheep.
When walking above different kinds of surfaces
They usually pass various types of surfaces while roaming, and the Great Pyrenees are known as perfect hikers and climbers.
When we consider the mountains where the Great Pyrenees often living, the surfaces called “scree.”
In most cases, they have to walk over slippery, muddy, rocky, very rough surfaces.
So unless the great Pyrenees have webbed feet, they cannot afford that. So their feet are incredibly suited for them.
When there is a muddy or slippery surface, Their paw pads are expanding. Then it provides a decent grip, and it supports to maintain stability.
As they meet a rocky or very rough surface, the great Pyrenees webbed toes are automatically adjusting according to surface.
When we compare this feature with water breeds, the Great Pyrenees have a less thin membrane between their toes. But it never diminishes the ability to walk over troublesome surfaces.
It is something that should be greatly appreciated because the great Pyrenees have massive bodies.
But nowadays most people keep the Great Pyrenees as a domestic dog. Because they look like cute polar bears. So if you have one, look inside their paws by expanding the toes apart. You can identify what webbed feet look like.
The Great Pyrenees’ webbed feet are much helpful during the winter.
If you look at their origin, these dogs have used as livestock guardian dogs on Pyrenees mountains. Therefore, these dogs are well adapted to cold and winter weather.
So these webbed paws work just like our snow boots. When they walk through the snow their paw pads are getting wider just like above explained.
So they can easily navigate through the snow without sinking too much. It is a wonderful gift from Mother Nature to gets their jobs done very easily.
But I know a lot of people keep the Great Pyrenees as domestic dogs. Although these dogs adapt well to cold weather from the origin, a domestic dog cannot easily adapt to snow.
So there is one special thing you need to know.
Assume you go out with your Great Pyrenees when there is snow outside, don’t forget to clean inside their paws once you return home.
Why?
When the snow gets stuck in their feet, trust me it is so painful. So separate the fingers apart and clean.
How to avoid that?
I suggest you to buy Dog snow boots. It will be extremely comfortable for them.
Great Pyrenees’ webbed feet are extremely beneficial for swimming
Since the great Pyrenees have slightly grown webbed feet, they can easily navigate through the water.
But don’t be mistaken. Their swimming ability is somewhat worse than water breeds.
As we discussed above, these dogs are not bred for swimming purposes. But when we use our common sense, each dog has to swim at some point in its life.
Assume you have the Great Pyrenees who don’t know how to swim. What happens when you are on a family vacation, and you meet a nice water place which is suitable for swimming?
Will you keep your dog on the bank? I think it’s a somewhat heartless thing. Especially if he doesn’t know how to swim, what will happens when you take him to the water?
Because they have a large body, it can often be so difficult for them.
So training your Great Pyrenees to swim is a crucial thing. Since the great Pyrenees have long double coats, relatively long legs, and, webbed feet they can swim like a pro.
It is not a problem if your dog is mature or a puppy. Each kind of dog can learn how to swim.
But mature ones may take somewhat longer than puppies.
So with positive reinforcement, perseverance, patience, and good training they can become good swimmers.
With the positive reinforcement, perseverance, patience, and good training they can become good swimmers.
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But at the first, he/she has to overcome the fear of water. You can do that with a small activity.
But how can they overcome the fear of water?
We have discussed that the great Pyrenees love to wander. So try to go for a hike with him. In fact, you will have a hiking partner as well as a good protector.
So here find a shallow water body that isn’t depth more than one-third of your dog. Then cross the water body and wait for the dog.
Don’t give any help to your great Pyrenees. Instead, call him nicely from the other side of the water body. Obviously he will find a suitable path to reach you.
So do this several times, and eventually, he will be able to overcome the fear of water.
How to train them to swim?
Training the great Pyrenees to swim is an easy task. Some may feel their body shape is the main obstacle to swimming. Yes, It has some effect.
But as I mentioned above, the great Pyrenees have webbed feet and wide-body which helps slightly swim.
In fact, they have a thick double coat. So whenever you are going to swim take your dog as well.
It doesn’t matter the place you are swimming. ( I don’t mention too deep places.)
But don’t put your dog directly into the water. Take him nicely and gently while giving small weight upwards through their belly.
Suddenly you will feel your great Pyrenees start paddle using their webbed feet. Help him to keep their head above the water level. Then gradually reduce the weight you have been given.
You will see your dog start to swim.
Remember: The great Pyrenees are not highly energetic dogs. So they can get tired easily. Therefore it’s advisable to put on a Dog life jacket.
You can accelerate the training process by using Dog swimming pool. In fact, They can jump and play whenever they want throughout the day.
Great Pryrennes’ webbed feet help them to dig.
Honestly, this is not a real big advantage. But, as we discussed above, the great Pyrenees have a thick double coat.
So they can feel too much warmth throughout the summer. Normally, the Great Pyrenees shed too much to maintain body temperature during the summer.
So mostly the great Pyrenees and other dogs tend to dig holes in every cold spot in the backyard.
Then they tend to lay on it and sleep all day. It may feel so comfortable for them.
What if your great Pyrenees doesn’t have webbed feet?
If they don’t have webbing in their feet, it will be very hard for them than other dogs, and their toes would be splayed out similar to our fingers.
He will be unable to do some sort of activities when compared to other great Pyrenees. But you shouldn’t worry too much because they are already living well.
If you wish to keep the great Pyrenees as a domestic pet, don’t worry too much. They won’t have too many advantages from it.
But if you wish to buy the great Pyrenees for livestock protection purposes, and if he doesn’t have webbed toes, mostly that dog isn’t suitable.
If you still worrying about it, go and check with a licensed veterinarian in your area whether everything is okay or not.
The main problem here is many people tend to breed them the way they want it. So this dog breed can be mutated over time. So identifying a purebred great Pyrenees is a crucial thing.
In fact, you have to consider many things before buy a new dog.
How to identify a purebred great Pyrenees?
When you buy a new great Pyrenees puppy, it’s a crucial thing to buy a purebred one. So it’s not enough just looking at great Pyrenees’ webbed feet. Here let’s understand how you can do that.
General information
| Height (male) | 27-32 inches |
| Height (female) | 25-29 inches |
| Weight (male) | 100 pounds and upwards |
| Weight (female) | 85 pounds and upwards |
| Coat color | White, Grey, Tan, Red |
| Coat nature | Long upper coat and thick undercoat |
| Eyes color | Dark brown |
| Eyes shape | Almond-shaped, medium-sized |
| Ears shape | V-shaped, rounded tips, small to medium size |
Examine their head
Their head is somewhat small relative to their body. If you examine their look carefully, you can identify their expressions is somewhat like,
- Intelligent
- Contemplative
- Elegant
Examine their neck
The Great Pyrenees have a medium-length neck, which is strongly muscled.
CONCLUSION
If you are a great Pyrenees lover, there might be a problem like “do the great Pyrenees have webbed feet? “. so, in this article, I have discussed,
- Introduction
- Great Pyrenees’ webbed toes are much helpful for walking.
- Great Pyrenees’ webbed paws are extremely beneficial for swimming
- What if your great Pyrenees don’t have webbed feet?
- How to identify a purebred great Pyrenees?
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