Have you ever wondered if labs have webbed feet? I received loads of messages via messenger asking the same problem. So I decided to do some research on it.
Do labs have webbed feet? Yes. Since labs are one of the water breeds, they have more grown webbed feet than other dogs. These thin membranes between their toes help Labrador Retrievers swim, run, dig, walk, maintain the stability, and be extremely useful during the winter.
Since Labrador Retrievers have many advantages from webbed feet, you need to be aware of that.
Labs’ webbed feet are Extremely beneficial for walking.
When we examine the primary purpose of Labrador Retrievers, they originally used as a hunting dog..
In fact, they are one of the water breeds. So labs have fully grown webbed feet.
Since they are hunting dogs, they have to go to various types of places with their owners.
When walking above different kinds of surfaces
In most cases, Labrador Retrievers have to go over various kinds of surfaces such as muddy or slippery surfaces.
In fact, their webbed toes help much them to maintain stability without falling or sinking.
How?
When labs are walking above those surfaces, their webbed feet are become wider and work as a strong grip.
In fact, this ability is somewhat greater than the dogs who have less membrane between the toes.
I mean since they have more extended webbed toes, they can grab a large area of the ground.
I have visited 8 Labrador Retrievers before writing this article. Three of them are work as hunting companions. The owners said their dogs are excellent at hunting ducks.
In fact, labs are pretty much fast, high energetic, and intelligent. So it makes them good hunters.
Labrador Retrievers’ webbed feet are much helpful during the winter.
First, let me ask you a small question. Can you walk through snow without using snow boots?
It’s not about the cold. Definitely, you will sink. But it’s pretty much straightforward walk through the snow by wearing snow boots.
If nature had not given them fully grown webbed feet, the Labrador Retrievers also might have the same problem.
Here, their paw pads exactly work as our snow boots. It helps them to maintain stability when navigating through the snow.
But here I would like to mention one small crucial thing that Labrador Retriever owners should know.
Assume you go out with your dog during the winter. Don’t forget to clean their paws once you return home.
Why?
When they go through the snow, there might have some stuck snow inside their paws. Trust me, it’s excruciating for them.
So once you return, separate their toes apart and clean thoroughly.
But how can you avoid this problem?
Well, I suggest you put them Dog snow boots. It will be so comfortable for them.
Labs’ webbed feet are very useful for swimming.
Are Labrador Retrievers good swimmers? Yes, they are.
Since labs have a water resistance coat, a suitable body for swimming, and fully grown webbed feet, they can become excellent swimmers.
When we examine their swimming ability, they are so talented when compared to other average dog breeds.
But there is one problem.
I told you before that I have visited 8 Labrador Retrievers before writing this article.
Two of them had no experience of swimming in a lake or other body of water.
Even though they are excellent swimmers, these two will most likely face a hard time during their first swimming experience in such a water body.
It’s like you have a Ferrari in your house and you don’t know how to drive.
So understand this. Every dog have to swim in some point in their life. So training them to swim is a crucial thing to do.
Based on my experiences, I would say that they can start training sessions once they turned about 12 weeks.
If you have a mature Labrador Retriever who doesn’t know how to swim, don’t worry. They also can become excellent simmers.
But it might get a little bit longer than what a puppy gets. But it’s an entirely doable thing.
So here is the thing. Every dog is natural swimmers. So any dog can learn to swim with the consistency, effort, positive reinforcement, and persistence.
Any dog can learn to swim with the consistency, effort, positive reinforcement, and persistence.
Dog Breeds Experts.
But how to train your Labrador Retriever to swim?
The first thing I would say is don’t think your dog as a defeater. Since they have naturally some tendency to swim, it may pretty easy with the right process,
If a dog has never been swim before, probably he might have a fear of water.
Unless they overcome this problem, It’s very hard to train them to swim. Even though labs have fully grown webbed feet, it won’t be worthwhile until they overcome this problem.
But how can they overcome the fear of water?
We discussed above that these dogs are high energy dogs. So they require some strenuous outside exercises at least once per week.
So go for a long walk or hike with your lab. Then try to find a shallow water body which is not depth more than one-third of your dog.
So now you have to cross the water body. Remember, don’t give a hand to your dog.
Then the only thing you have to do is call nicely from the other side. Probably he may cry or mimic a little bit and then find a suitable path to reach you.
So do this several times more. You will see it’s pretty much easy to solve this problem.
Now is the time for training sessions!
Congratulations! Now your dog has entirely overcome the fear of water. This is the time to start swimming training sessions.
But the cool thing is you no need to dedicate time for this. Take him with you whenever you are going to swim.
If you have a swimming pool, it will be straightforward to train them. Or else, you can buy a large dog pool.
Okay, let’s start the training session.
Remember, don’t put our dog into the water suddenly. Take him into the water gently and slowly.
At the same time, give a small weight upwards through their belly. It will help a little bit to get used to the water and increase the confidence level.
In this situation, normally labs start to paddle using their webbed feet. It exactly works like Oars.
When they paddle, their paws automatically become wider, pushing a large surface of water backward. So they will start to float.
In fact, help them to keep their head above the water level. Don’t let him swim along until you feel some confidence.
Each and every time, stay with him. I suggest you put a Dog life jacket during his/her first training sessions.
Here is a pro tip: You can speed up the training process with plenty of puppy treats.
Labs’ webbed feet are much helpful for digging
Actually, this is not kind of good advantage for them. But when we consider the origin of dogs, this trait has been since their ancient time.
In fact, they love to dig holes in the backyard. Mostly those places have somewhat coldness.
Why they dig holes?
Since labs have thick double coats, they may feel warm during hot days.
Mostly labs tend to dig holes during the summer. Since labs have fully grown webbed feet, digging hole is pretty easy for them.
After digging the hole, they tend to lay on it. My dog can sleep in those holes throughout the day.
Sometimes this trait somewhat annoying, but it’s completely normal.
What if your labs don’t have webbed feet?
Actually, I would say for this problem if you have a lab who hasn’t webbed feet, don’t worry too much. He already lived some time, and I think he gets used to it.
But you must be worry if he keeps as a hunting dog. Because it’s a little bit hard to hunt without webbed feet.
Some people keep him at home only as a pet. So that people don’t worry about too much. But if you’re still worried about it, go to a veterinarian to see if everything is alright.
But primarily if your labs are purebred, he should get available webbed feet.
Do you know? Today many people tend to breed dogs with a lack of knowledge. So due to that, in some cases, this breed has distorted.
So finding a purebred Labrador Retriever is a crucial thing.
How do you know if your labrador is a purebred?
As we discussed above you have to have find a purebred lab when you about to buy.
But we cannot directly say labs are purebred by simply looking at their webbed feet. There are many things you have to consider.
So let’s dive right in.
| Male height | 57-62 cm |
| Female height | 55-60 cm |
| Male weight | 29-36 kg |
| Female weight | 25-32 kg |
| Eye color | Brown, Hazal |
Typically we can see some specific characteristics from labradors. Mainly we can identify a labrador from his tail, ears, feet, and colors.
Tail
The tail is thick at the base at the point where it joins the backbone and tapers towards the tip. The tail is not curved like street dogs and straight.
Ears
Commonly we can see ears of labradors dropping.
Labs webbed feet
This article all about this. Labs have webbed feet.
color
Commonly we can see only three colors from labradors. But some people tend to mix them with different lineages. So mainly we can see black, chocolate brown and fawn/yellow. In addition to that, we can see browner or more white colors.
If the dog 2 months old, it is sufficient to recognize him. Because a two-month-old lab puppy has all the characteristics of an adult lab. That’s why we should not buy a puppy who is not 2 months old.
So if you want to buy a purebred lab puppy, be sure to do a lot of research about him. Then buy him. You need to think about a lot of things before buying a dog. We can keep some trust when we buy him from the breeder.
Make sure to ask questions from him ( you know about this dog breed because you have done some research.) and ask him to give KC papers of the dog.
CONCLUSION
If you are a labrador lover, this article for you. Through this article, I have discussed a common problem among labrador retriever fans. That is, “Do labs have webbed feet? “.By reading this, you can understand,
- Labs webbed toes help much for walking
- Labs webbed feet help much for swimming
- their webbed toes help much for walking
- What if your dog don’t have webbed feet?
- How do you know if your labrador is a purebred?
