If you love spending the day at the beach or around water, you’re probably wondering “do Pugs have webbed feet?” After all, you’re probably looking for a dog that loves to swim as much as you do. Well, in this article I’ll answer the question about whether or not Pugs have webbed feet and introduce some dogs that do.
Do Pugs Have Webbed Feet?
Well, the truth is that all canine feet have a little bit of webbing. While the webbing in your Pugs feet are just used for connecting the skin, they are NOT water dwellers. Webbed feet are something that you see on creatures that spend a lot of time in the water, such as ducks and frogs.
While Pugs can swim, simply put, they are not water dogs. I’ve put together an article to help you keep your Pug safe around water.
I’m NOT saying that your Pug won’t enjoy the water. Mindy my black Pug loved getting baths, being wet with the water fountain on hot days, and swimming in the backyard pool when she was younger.
We even took her to the beach a few times. That said, there’s a lot to know about taking a Pug to the beach, so be sure to read our guide.
Just don’t expect your Pug to dive into the water if you’re taking her kayaking. Every Pug is different and Mindy never jumped into the lake while we were kayaking.
If you’re a water dweller, you may want to consider getting a dog that does have webbed feet. Yes, some canines have webbed feet like ducks and frogs. I’ll be sharing a list of the dogs that love being in and around water, but first, let’s take a closer look at the Pug’s feet.
What Is Webbing?
Basically, it is a membrane that helps connect the toes together. You can see the webbing on your Pugs feet if you look closely. The next time you clip their nails spread their toes apart and you’ll see the membrane connecting their toes.
As I mentioned above, this webbing is not meant for water like other dogs. If a dog’s feet are webbed for water, they can use their feet to help them move freely in the water. Think of webbed feet like the boat paddles or the flippers of a scuba diver, in that they work in pretty much the same way.
The membrane on the food helps create a wide flat foot that covers more surface area in the water. This, in turn, allows the animal to move through the water with ease without exerting a lot of force.
Some dogs have more webbing than others, which has allowed them to become masters of the water. Dogs with webbed feet can swim faster and with more control than those regular paws.
Unfortunately, the Pug is not one of them, and won’t do very well around water.
A Look At Your Pugs Feet and Legs
Okay, let’s take a closer look at the Pug’s foot, so you can get a better understanding of it. Unlike other dogs, Pugs are prone to different types of paw problems. Most of them won’t like you handling or touching their paws.
These short stalky dogs have short legs that allow them to run, jump and walk. However, don’t expect this breed to walk long distances, they are just not built that way.
They do have strong ankles, small ankles, and their toes are split up, with webbing to connect the toes. Their hind legs are strong and should be parallel to each other from the back.
Basically, they have small cute feet that need to be cared for properly. Here’s a molding I made of Mindy my black Pugs feet before she passed away.
You’d be surprised to know that dogs have different types of feet. Some dogs even have cat feet, such as the Doberman Pinscher, Akita, Tibetan Mastiff and etc. But that’s a different story and you surely wouldn’t want to tell them that.
Now that you know about the Pug’s feet, let’s take a closer look at the differences between dogs with webbed feet and non-webbed feet. It will give you a better idea of what to expect if you decide to get a dog with webbed feet. (don’t worry, I’ll share some of the dogs to consider below)
Webbed Dog Feet vs Non-Webbed
Syndactyly means that the toes are fused together. If only the dog’s toes are fused together, it is referred to as “simple syndactyly.”
Dogs with webbed toes are generally healthy happy dogs that love swimming. The same can pretty much be said about dogs that don’t have webbed feet designed for swimming.
Dogs that have syndactyly, even just a small case, may require surgery. The surgery is done to help relieve the pain that is caused due to the skin stretching and tightening whenever pressure is applied to the paws.
The only major difference between dogs with webbed feet designed for swimming and those without are the dogs with webbed feet will be happier if they are allowed to get into the water.
In fact, they will crave the water. Our Labrador Retriever used to cry when we made her stay inside if we were having a pool party and she wasn’t allowed in the water.
Mindy my Pug, couldn’t care less about getting in the water. She would cry only because she wanted to be outside with us.
10 Dog Breeds That Have Webbed Feet
Now that you know about webbed feet, let’s take a look at some dogs that you may want to consider that are perfect for the water.
- Newfoundland
- Otterhound
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Redbone Coonhound
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Weimaraner
- Dachshund
- American Water Spaniel
- German Wirehaired Pointer
- Labrador Retrievers
Any of the dogs from the list above will make the perfect companion if you spend a lot of time around or in the water.
Final Take Away on Your Pugs Feet
Just because Pug’s don’t have webbed feet designed for being in the water. Doesn’t mean that they don’t make great pets. However, you need to understand how much exercise this breed can handle and the types of activities you can do with them.
The Pug breed is extremely loyal and can make a great pet for any family. They get along well with other dogs and will bring you years of unconditional love.
References and Further Reading
Melissa Breyer – 18 Things You Didn’t Know About Dog Paws
Hanson, R.R. – Veterinary Manual – Congenital And Inherited Disorders of Bones Joints, and Muscles In Dogs
Richardson EF -NCBI – Surgical Management Of Syndactyly In A Dog