When it comes to selecting a canine companion, many people look for breeds that best suit their lifestyles. From lap dogs to working dogs, they run the gamut of human activity. For this purpose, dogs have been bred and selected to handle a wide range of environmental conditions and climates. Some breeds even have webbed feet to assist them in water, making them proficient swimmers. In this article we’ll outline 15 dogs with webbed feet, and discuss some of their characteristics.
While all dogs likely have some amount of webbing between their toes, certain breeds have more prominent webbing, having been bred specifically for this trait. A majority of the breeds we’ll go over in our list will be those with prominent webbing that have been bred for the water.
15 Dogs With Webbed Feet
Keep in mind that just because your dog has webbed feet does not mean it will enjoy swimming. If you are looking to introduce your pet to the water, do so passively and allow your dog to enter on its own terms.
1. Newfoundland Dog
Average Lifespan: 8-10 years
Average Size: 100-150 pounds
Coat: medium-long, dense
An intelligent and loving dog, the Newfoundland was originally developed in Newfoundland, Canada, to assist fishermen with hauling in nets and pulling fish carts to market.
An excellent swimmer, its thick coat and webbed toes make this dog excellent for aquatic search-and-rescue missions.
Perhaps the largest of the dogs with webbed feet on this list, the Newfoundland is generally known for its love of swimming. Taking these giants to a body of water for a quick dip is one of the best ways to exercise them.
2. Golden Retriever
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 60-80 pounds
Coat: medium
One of America’s favorite dog breeds, the Golden Retriever was originally developed in Scotland to help hunters retrieve downed waterfowl. To assist them in their occupation, this breed was selected for its natural love of the water, as well as its keen abilities as a swimmer.
While its primary purpose is no longer as a bird dog, Golden Retrievers have retained their enthusiasm for water sports, and are more than happy to play a game of fetch in the pool.
3. Dachshund
Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
Average Size: 15-35 pounds
Coat: short or long
Immediately recognizable from its elongated body and short legs, the Dachshund was originally developed in Germany as a working breed to assist hunters by chasing small game.
While its body shape may seem awkward to many, its elongated frame was actually considered beneficial on the hunt, as the breed is capable of chasing prey through narrow openings that larger dogs are unable to fit through.
Although Dachshunds do have webbed feet, many are known to actively despise the water, and will avoid swimming at all costs. This is not the case with all Dachshunds, and some individuals have been reported to enjoy taking the occasional dip.
4. Poodle
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 40-70 pounds
Coat: medium-long, curly
The Poodle is a medium sized dog breed originally developed within either France or Germany to assist hunters by retrieving downed water fowl. Much like the Golden Retriever, the Poodle’s webbed toes and keen swimming ability made it the ideal companion for hunting on lakes and ponds.
The first of a number of hypoallergenic options on our list of dogs with webbed feet, the Poodle is the ideal choice for someone with allergies looking for a swimming breed.
5. Labrador Retriever
Average Lifespan: 10-12
Average Size: 50-80 pounds
Coat: medium, dense
The Labrador Retriever is a medium-large dog originally developed in England from Canadian bird dogs. Like the Golden Retriever and Poodle before it, the Labrador Retriever is an excellent swimmer and bird dog, bred to assist with retrieving waterfowl on hunts.
This breed is known for being exceptionally loyal and eager to please, making it an ideal working dog and household companion.
6. Portuguese Water Dog
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 35-60 pounds
Coat: medium-long, dense
As the name suggests, the Portuguese Water Dog was originally developed in Portugal, where it was used as a working breed in the fishing industry. This breed’s prowess in the water is no joke. Believe it or not, it was originally employed by Portuguese fishermen to swim ahead of their boats and herd schools of fish into their nets.
Made famous by Barack Obama (he owned two of them while in the Whitehouse), the Portuguese Water Dog is the second hypoallergenic breed on our list.
7. Otterhound
Average Lifespan: 10-13 years
Average Size: 60-110 pounds
Coat: long, shaggy
The Otterhound is a large bodied scent-hound originally developed in England as a working dog used by hunters to track down game.
While you may assume its name was derived from a comparison of its swimming ability to that of otters, this breed actually acquired its name from its use to hunt otters. In order to hunt these aquatic mammals, the Otterhound was bred to be an incredibly efficient and powerful swimmer.
Considered one of the rarest breeds of dogs, there are thought to be only around 600 individuals currently living, making it difficult to find and expensive to acquire.
8. Redbone Coonhound
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 40-70 pounds
Coat: short
The Redbone Coonhound is a scent-hound originally developed in the United States as a hunting dog. The breed stems from foxhounds brought over from Ireland and Scotland.
With a beautiful red coat and floppy ears, the Redbone Coonhound has a noble aspect, and is striking in appearance. The breed possess webbed feet, which enable it to track prey across a range of terrains.
Known for its bravery in the face of larger predators, the Redbone is a quintessential working breed that responds well to training and is built for physical activity.
9. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 50-80 pounds
Coat: medium, curly
As its name implies, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever hails from the Chesapeake Bay area of the United States, where it was bred to chase and retrieve downed waterfowl. Like the other retrievers on this list before it, this breed is an adept and eager swimmer, and is well equipped for physical water activity.
One of the less popular retriever breeds, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is still thought to be an excellent family breed, and is known for being good with children.
10. Irish Water Spaniel
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 45-70 pounds
Coat: medium, curly
Closely resembling the Poodle, the Irish Water Spaniel is a spaniel-type breed originally from Ireland. In fact, the breed doesn’t just resemble the Poodle, it is also thought to have been produced from crossing Poodles with Portuguese Water Dogs.
Like its predecessors, the Irish Water Spaniel is a hypoallergenic breed and one that is well suited for working in water and retrieving fowl on hunts. Curious and amiable, the breed is considered a good family dog and is known to be gentle around small children.
11. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Average Lifespan: 10-14 years
Average Size: 35-50 pounds
Coat: medium-long
The smallest of the retrievers, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a breed of bird dog originally developed in Canada.
Ascribed the name “toller” from its ability to lure water fowl within the proximity of a hunter, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an excellent hunting companion and one that is comfortable around water.
Like most retrievers, this breed is known for its intelligence, trainability, and eagerness to please its owner. Often mistaken for being a small golden retriever, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is often overlooked among the retriever breeds.
12. German Wirehaired Pointer
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 60-70 pounds
Coat: medium, wiry
Recognizable by the scruff of beard around its muzzle, the German Wirehaired Pointer is a griffon-type breed originally developed in Germany as a bird dog.
In addition to having webbed feet, this breed’s wiry coat is weather-resistant, making the German Wirehaired Pointer a hardy and tolerant dog able to withstand cold water temperatures.
Incredibly intelligent, this working breed is also considered a good family pet and household companion, albeit one that demands rigorous physical exercise.
13. Weimaraner
Average Lifespan: 11-14 years
Average Size: 50-90 pounds
Coat: short
Made famous by William Wegmen’s portraits of the dogs in human clothing, the Weimaraner was originally developed in Germany as an all-purpose bird dog. Perhaps one of the most energetic breeds on this list of dogs with webbed feet, the Weimaraner requires regular exercise, and thrives with proper training.
With its soulful eyes and easy to maintain coat, the Weimaraner is a popular companion, and one that has seen a rise in popularity in the United States.
14. German Short-haired Pointer
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 40-70 pounds
Coat: short
Related to the German Wirehaired Pointer, the German Short-haired pointer shares a similar history and lineage, having also been developed in Germany as a bird dog and hunting companion.
A muscular and agile breed, the German Short-haired Pointer competes well in dog agility competitions and is responsive to training.
Although bred as a bird dog, this breed was also developed to be a reliable household and family pet, one capable of distinguishing between work and family life, and of modifying its behavior to suit each.
15. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 50-60 pounds
Coat: medium, wiry
Even more closely resembling the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was also originally developed in Germany as a bird dog and hunting companion.
Also like the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon features a distinctive weather-resistant coat and webbed feet that make it well suited to life in the water and harsh outdoor environments.
Relatively rare outside of Germany, this breed is difficult to source and acquire within the United States, and can be quite expensive to purchase.