![]() ![]() It’s similar to the idea of a human using swim paddles vs. Webbed feet act as “paddles” in the water to help displace more water when a Labrador is swimming. The webbed feet of the Labrador Retriever give it a huge advantage in the water, both in swimming and water retrieving. Lab breeders in both the United States and Great Britain have been able to breed to improve standards and traits they prefer in the dogs they produce and continue to breed dogs that demonstrate exceptional performance as both a family dog and retriever. Throughout the last several hundred years, Labs have become extremely popular not only due to their physical abilities but to their playful, friendly personalities and strong bond to humans. If you separate a Lab’s toenails gently on their paw, you’ll see webbing in between them that attaches and connects them together underneath their fur. Webbed feet were seen as a distinct advantage over other dogs who did not possess this trait, and those early Labs with webbed feet were likely selected for future breeding due to this feature giving them a tremendous performance advantage. They developed a reputation for excellent performance as retrievers especially in the water, and comfortable even at colder temperatures in northern Canada. Labrador Retrievers have been bred for centuries, originating in the Newfoundland area of northeastern Canada several hundred years ago. Let’s go over the advantage that webbed feet give the Labrador Retriever, and how it helps them excel on both land and in the water. How does this work to their advantage in performing typical Lab activities? What benefit does this give Labradors over other types of dogs with smaller paws or lack of webbing? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you ever see your Lab licking at his paws excessively or limping, those are signs to you that something is amiss in your Lab’s paw health.(This article may contain affiliate links. Also your Lab has brittle nails, he may have an underlying health condition so make sure to ask.Īfter a walk or run, always check your Lab’s paws for these things and treat immediately. Any hanging part of the nail should be clipped off, but some nails need to be removed entirely by your vet. The first issue is stopping the bleeding and disinfecting the area. Some cracks are normal, but if the crack is bleeding or causing your dog discomfort, call the vet.Ī torn toenail, sometimes due to high activity or the nail snagging on something, such as carpet. If you live in an area where rough terrain is something your dog commonly encounters, then wash and treat the paws with a soothing salve regularly. Rocky, rough, or gravel terrain can cause havoc on a dog’s paws if they are on such surfaces frequently (just like our shoes). Cover the affected area if possible to prevent infection and try to limit your dog’s activity to avoid re-injury if the wound is significant.Ĭracked pads, usually a result of wear and tear. Keep the wound clean and watch for signs of infection. Most abrasions and cuts heal on their own quite rapidly (thank you, evolution). Lacerations, such as those caused by rocks or sticks with sharp edges. Leaving the object in could cause an infection as well as continued discomfort for your Lab. If your dog won’t let you remove the object, head on in to the vet. These are usually:įoreign objects, such as burrs or thorns in the woods or shards of glass that may be laying carelessly on the side of the road. However, just like with us, something happens to harm their feet. Yes, a dog’s paws do a lot without much intervention. And when we need to exchange our shoes for flippers to swim easily, a Lab’s naturally webbed feet are ready to propel his body through the water. Engineered into shoe designs for us but natural for dogs, paw pads act as shock absorbers as well as heating/cooling relays. Our Labs already come equipped with these capabilities, no gear required. Shoes keep our sensitive feet protected from rough services and unpleasant objects in our path, as well as keep us stable and balanced. So when you’re lacing up your athletic shoes or hiking boots, your Lab knows it’s adventure time. Our Labs lead active lives, to say the least.
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