Do Huskies Have Webbed Paws

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Yes, they have!. Siberian huskies have webbed feet and this is because they are originated from the super snowy and extreme cold, Antarctic region. They were originally bred by the Siberian tribe “Chukchi” for transportation and sled dog racing. It is not easy to move through snowy paths with normal feet. So with time, they developed webbed feet to support them in movement.

If it was not for their feet, how else they were supposed to walk on snowy paths? Huskies can run, walk and work on ice for long hours only because they have webbed feet. These webbed feet made their grip strong and movement fluent making them snow warriors.

Although their feet aren’t quite as webbed as breeds meant to swim, huskies and other arctic breeds have webbed feet. This originates from their history as sled dogs, as webbed feet act like snow-shoes to keep huskies from sinking into the snow or slipping.

Does My Husky Benefit From Having Webbed Feet?

The main reason that Huskies have slight webbing between their toes is to help them walk on snow. So if you have a Husky and live in a snowy place, then yes, their webbed feet will be actively helping them to walk and run in the snow.

Huskies might not care too much about Michael Phelps’s gold medals, as they generally aren’t swimmers. Although you can teach huskies to swim, this activity doesn’t come naturally to Huskies and their webbed feet are too small to really give them much help.

Siberian Huskies are a very active breed and they should be receiving a lot of daily exercise. Their slightly webbed feet most likely give some extra level of support and protection from the rough ground underneath. So of course, having this “mutation” which is what it’s classed as, isn’t anything negative.

Related Article: Discover how you can teach your Husky to swim safely

Facts About Your Husky’s Webbed Feet

Let’s take a closer look at the anatomy of the Siberian Husky’s paw. Earlier we said that Huskies do have webbed feet, but it’s important to know it can change, some Huskies will have more prominently webbed toes and in some Huskies, this physical feature won’t be as visible.

Typically, the webbing seen in Huskies is very small, this is because they only need it for help with walking on snow.

Webbed toes are primarily seen in semi-aquatic species to help with swimming. Huskies do not have a history of swimming and most of the time, they hate the water!

The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized breed and they are typically on the lean end of the weight spectrum. It’s not too common you see a fat Husky. So most Huskies have a slim body and their legs and paws are also usually lean.

Key features of the Husky paw:

  • Husky paw is of medium size, but this ultimately depends on the size of your Husky. A bigger husky will have bigger paws and vice versa.
  • Husky paws are typically slim but strong and sturdy
  • They will be covered with fur on the sides of the toes to keep their feet warm
  • Pads will be tough and strong to support their active lifestyles
  • Slight webbing in between toes may be seen

    • ALL Siberian Huskies will have webbing in the feet, how much of it you can see will be down to your Husky’s genes and bloodline.

    Are Huskies High Energy Dogs?

    Although every dog has an individual personality and every Husky may not possess extremely high energy levels, as a general rule, Huskies do tend to have ample energy. And if not given enough mental and physical exercise, they may become hyperactive. Read more about a Husky’s exercise requirements by clicking here.

    FAQ

    How can you tell if you have a real Husky?

    Well, here is the answer to your question: Huskies do have webbed feet. Since these magnificent-looking canines originated in the cold arctic regions prone to extreme cold weather conditions with abundant ice, Huskies naturally developed webbed feet with time.

    What kind of dog has webbed paws?

    The Siberian husky has erect ears and eyes of brown to blue or maybe even one of each color. The neck is carried straight and the topline is level. The well-furred tail is carried up in a sickle or sometimes straight out behind. Siberian huskies have a very dense, plush coat with plenty of undercoat.

    What dog breed has the most webbed feet?

    Paw Size and Shape

    Other breeds that have webbed feet include the very popular Labrador Retriever as well as Poodles, the Portuguese Water Dog, American Water Spaniel, the German Wire-Haired Pointer, the German Short-Haired Pointer and the Dachshund.