However, GSDs do have an area of skin between the toes that connects the paw together, which is web-like. Once again a lot of this comes back to the fact it increases the surface area of their feet. But many owners aren’t so lucky and have a problem with their German Shepherd puppy biting their ankles. The American Kennel Club standard for the German Shepherd does not reference webbed feet. Why do German Shepherds have webbed feet. (And What It Means If They Do), How Much Do German Shepherds Cost (Complete Buying Guide), Do German Shepherds Make Good Family Pets? How To Stop A German Shepherd Puppy From Biting And Nipping? Rounded toes well closed and arched. Want To Know 9 SECRET Tips For Training Your German Shepherd? Further, shepherds are described as a working dog rather than a water working dog like the Labrador Retriever or the Newfoundland. The webbed feet act as paddles and offer a greater surface area that enables them to swim more easily. (What To Know), Can German Shepherds Eat Oranges? Instead, it describes the breed as having short, compact feet with well-arched toes. However, the level of webbing depends on the dog. Webbed feet are usually the result of evolution over time. Have you been wondering âdo german shepherds have webbed feet?â Well, the answer is yes, however, theyâre not going to look the way you think.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'jubilantpups_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',122,'0','0'])); Keep reading to find out more about whether german shepherds have webbed feet, and whether being purebred effects this. German Shepherd Puppy Crying In Crate? Thus, the webbed feet that help in increasing friction are an excellent addition to their body. While in humans webbed feet are not greeted with too much enthusiasm, a dog's webbed feet could come in quite handy depending on the type of work the dog is supposed to do. Only a DNA test can give you a straightforward answer. Do German Shepherds have webbed feet? Are German Shepherds Easy Or Hard To Train? Offer an Extra Meal to Their Normal Routine. German Shepherds do have webbed feet :) Here are more dogs with webbed feet: Akita, Brussels Griffon, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chinook, Field Spaniel, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Otterhound, Plott Hound, Portuguese Water Dog, … Can German Shepherds Eat Shrimp? Although several animals (like ducks) have webbed feet as part of their normal anatomy, in humans; it is a birth defect. One of the benefits of having webbed feet is that it makes it a lot easier for animals to swim. Portuguese water dogs, Newfoundlands, and American water spaniels are all examples of dogs that have exceptionally webbed feet.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'jubilantpups_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',126,'0','0'])); This is because they would have spent most of their lives helping fishermen, so webbed feet provided an advantage for them. When a German Shepherd’s toes are fully fused together and they don’t have any space between them it’s called âsyndactyly,â and in some cases can mean there are other more serious health issues. Favorite Answer. German Shepherd webbed feet are an unusual feature, but shouldn’t worry you if your dog’s paws are completely healthy and fit otherwise. No, they do not. Statistics from the American Kennel Club (AKC) for 2002 and 2003 show almost three times the number of Labrador Retriever registrations over the second-ranked breed, the Golden Retriever. Simply put, not every breeder follows the breeding Standards. No, German Shepherds donât have true webbed feet by the breed standard. 1/2 months old. Have you also noticed that some German Shepherds have compact cat-like feet while others have long toes? But before we do that, it is essential to note that the American Kennel Club doesn't include webbed feet in their German shepherds' description. You may wonder why a German Shepherd has webbed feet if swimming is not a nature instinctive trait. This regardless of their smaller dimensions, dachshunds can make excellent swimmers because of their webbed feet and narrow body shape. German Shorthaired Pointers have tight skin. Still have ⦠The Black German Shepherd is an active dog, great for those who love the outdoors.A canine born to herd, their breed comes with speed, stealth, and agility.. Michelle loves enjoying the outdoors with her dogs. Webbed feet has a large surface area which will enable a dog to propel through water very easily and move fast and apply less effort. Do you see the tiny bit of skin that connects your fingers together at the base between your fingers? German shepherds have webbed feet, but their appearance is not what you expect. If you notice for some reason your german shepherd doesnât have any webbing at all, thereâs still nothing to worry about. Do Purebred German Shepherds Have Webbed Feet? All dogs have this web-like feature, much like all humans have web-like skin between their fingers. The German Shepherd thrives in advanced agility work and on agility courses. Specialized hunting breeds like the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the American Water Spaniel also sport webbed feet. This may give rise to all of the questions regarding “Do German Shepherds have webbed feet” found online. Are German Shepherds naturally good swimmers As we have discussed, German Shepherds were not bred to be ⦠Although a rottweiler may have webbed feet, it is not the breed standard.. Lv 5. While dogs are terrestrial animals, some dog breeds are known for having webbed feet, however, there is a substantial difference between their feet and the webbed feet of animals who ⦠Here are some dog breeds that have webbed feet and the reasons they have them. German Shepherds weren’t bred specifically for swimming but since they are naturally athletic, courageous, and smart dogs, they have the capability to like water and become strong swimmers. Please read our, The fact of the matter is that at some point we may need to include …, Looking for a perfect mix of high energy and intelligence? Some breeds have what are called âcat feet.â Do Australian Shepherds have dew claws? And the answer may surprise you! Even though most Dutch Shepherd dogs do not have true webbed feet, they are excellent swimmers. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The tail is set high, is usually docked (this is illegal in many European countries) and is held low at rest and horizontally when in action. The American Kennel Club, states that while their feet arenât webbed per se, they are well rounded. Webbed feet are considered outside the breed standard, but they donât detract from your dogâs beauty and are even thought to help your dog with a more powerful swim stroke! You need German Shepherd training to get the best behavior from your dog and enjoy a happy life with them. Almost all dogs have some degree of this web-like skin between their feet as it’s a natural occurrence. Dogs that have true syndactyly, when the toes are totally fused together, may require surgery to move their feet and paws normally and freely. (The Good & Bad), When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? A very small portion of the German Shepherd population could have webbed toes, but this is rarely reported in the Shepherd Dog. No, most people wouldn’t believe that this connective skin is thought to be truly webbed. Come and learn about the fascinating breed and discover why. Do German Shepherds Have Webbed Feet? True German Shepherd webbed feet are extremely rare since it’s not a desired trait. The compact feet are webbed. Pads well cushioned and durable. Apparently, it not a very “well-known” fact; but German Shepherds do have webbed feet. How fun and exciting would …, Have you heard of all the hype about curing your German Shepherdâs dry skin with …, Do German Shepherds Have Webbed Feet? There are some German shepherds that are natural swimmers, but these dogs are mixed breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer’s webbed feet are connected to powerful leg muscles that do not tire easily in the water. However, it’s still recognized by the AKC as a purebred. What Are The Benefits Of Webbed Feet For Your German Shepherd? You may wonder why a German Shepherd has webbed feet if swimming is not a nature instinctive trait. The increased surface area of webbed feet helps german shepherds to swim and walk. ... Relevance. Most German Shepherds paws aren’t going to be completely webbed together, as this is extremely rare in dogs. Why Do German Shepherds Dig Holes? It doesn't take many trips to a dog park or beach to figure out out which dog breed is ranked most popular in North America today. This web-like surface gives their feet stability and strength, like the web-like skin between your fingers. Other breeds with webbed feet include the Chesapeake Bay retriever, Portuguese water dog, field Spaniel and German wirehaired pointer. What If Your German Shepherd Doesnât Have Them? This isnât necessarily bad if the breeder is selecting their German Shepherds based on other more important qualities, like overall health and temperament. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Here are 10 dog breeds that are known to have the advantages of webbed feet per their breed standards: Remember that every dog has a little bit of skin between the toes that is normal and natural. Some of the symptoms include excessive drinking, dry mouth, fatigue, swelling of the feet, and excessive urinating. Kinda weird ?...I know lol. Remember, webbed feet are generally not a serious medical condition and can have advantages for your German Shepherd. How To Solve Forever, German Shepherd Puppy Teething Remedies (& More Information), How To Stop A German Shepherd Puppy From Chewing, German Shepherd Puppy Crying At Night (How To Soothe Them), Aggressive German Shepherd Puppy (Signs, Causes & Treatment). And although german shepherds arenât necessarily attracted to water like other dogs, they often still love swimming. Only water breeds have webbed feet such as Spaniels and labradors. That means when you click a link we may earn a small commission for helping you to find great things for your German Shepherd. If you’re only checking your German Shepherd’s feet to see if they’re purebred or not, then understand this isn’t a good way to determine breed lineage. Perhaps the idea of a …, Imagine proudly owning your very own long haired German Shepherd. The 3 Shapes of German Shepherd Paws: Cat feet, Hare feet, and Webbed feet Standards are what breeders should aim for in appearance. Lv 4. Webbed feet make some dog breeds very excellent swimmers just the same way flippers make humans excellent in swimming. )eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'jubilantpups_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',125,'0','0'])); To be honest, itâs going to be extremely unlikely that your german shepherd doesnât have some sort of webbing between their feet. It may come as a surprise, but all dogs have ⦠I'm originally from Indiana, though I've lived in many different states and traveled extensively. A simple misinterpretation of this idea may have given rise to the idea that German Shepherds have webbed feet, which isn’t true. Do Any Dogs Have Webbed Feet. German Shepherds have been my constant companions. If theyâre trying to get through wet mud or similar surfaces, the larger surface area means their paw wonât sink in as much and itâll be easier to walk. Do Belgian Malinois Have Webbed Feet: Learn All About Mal Paws The Belgian Malinois dog breed is known to be a superior canine athlete â quite possibly the most gifted dog on the planet to hear the military and police handlers tell it. Do German Shepherds Have Webbed Feet? But before we do that, it is essential to note that the American Kennel Club doesn't include webbed feet in their German shepherds' description. (& How To Fatten Them Up), How To Stop A German Shepherd Puppy Barking & Why It Occurs, How To Calm Down A German Shepherd Puppy (11 Ways). 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