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Do Boxers Have Webbed Feet?

Do Boxers Have Webbed Feet?

There are many physical traits that make a Boxer unique which is why this dog is one of the most popular family pets in the US. If you’re looking at a Boxer’s paws, you may find yourself asking “do Boxers have webbed feet?

Technically, a purebred Boxer doesn’t have webbed feet. Dog owners often think their Boxer has webbed feet because they do have a small amount of skin between their toes that look similar to the webbing.  This skin helps the Boxer maintain stability and perform activities.

It may look like your Boxer has webbed feet, but that skin is slightly different than the webbed feet of water dogs. On this page, we’re going to discuss Boxers’ paws and why they look like they have webbed feet. Keep reading to learn more. 

Do Boxers Have Webbed Feet?

When it comes to dogs with webbed feet, you won’t come across a purebred Boxer with webbed feet. While Boxers enjoy swimming, they aren’t water dogs so they haven’t been bred to have webbed feet. However, like most dog breeds, they do have skin between their toes that looks similar to webbing, but much smaller.

In some cases, you may see a crossbred Boxer that has webbed feet. This is because the dog has been bred by a Boxer with a water dog. While not all crossbred Boxers will have this trait, a Boxer may inherit webbed feed if one of its parents were a:

  • Newfoundland Dogs
  • Golden Retriever 
  • Portuguese Water Dog
  • Poodle 
  • American Water Spaniel
  • German Wire-Haired Pointer
  • German Short-Haired Pointer
  • Weimaraner
  • Daschund 
  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever
  • Otterhound
  • Irish Water Spaniel
  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Why Boxers Need Skin Between Their Toes

That skin between a dog’s toes isn’t a birth defect. In fact, it is very important to help a Boxer with its stability. Boxers are very active dogs, so they need feet that can keep up with them. If the Boxers didn’t have this layer of skin, they could be tripping and stumbling every time they went for a run.

Boxers are working dogs who need to stay active. This thin layer of skin makes it easier for the dog to do a number of activities that can help with one of the dog’s many jobs. After all, Boxers were originally bred for many different areas of work, such as hunting, pulling, racing, and more. 

What does this layer of skin help the Boxers do? Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons Boxers need this skin.

Stay Steady While Walking

Boxers are efficient at walking and running, and this skin helps to contribute to that. These dogs are very versatile when they are outdoors. They can go from walking on a slat smooth surface, like the pavement, to bumpy and rough terrain. This skin helps Boxers walk and run through areas that are less than ideal.

These dogs can also make it through slippery and muddy surfaces without sinking and sliding. This layer of skin acts as a netting when the dog steps which is very helpful because it allows the dog to grab more of the ground to stay steady. 

Winter Walking is a Breeze

The snow can create unfavorable conditions, especially when it comes to going for a walk. However, you may notice that Boxers have no issue at all tracking through the snow. Many Boxers even get excited about romping around in the snow. A winter storm is no excuse to not let a Boxer outside run around. 

Makes Digging Easier

Boxers love to dig and they are really good at it because this extra layer of skin allows them to grab more dirt. Dogs don’t use shovels to dig, instead, their main tool for the job is their paws. Since Boxers’ paws are equipped with netting from the skin, they can dig better than breeds without it.

Can Boxers Swim?

When it comes to purebred Boxers, that layer of skin is different from webbing. Boxers aren’t water dogs, so they don’t need to have webbing on their feet to perform well in the water. If you were to examine a Boxer’s body, you can see that it’s not fit for swimming. Since they have deep chests and short tails, staying afloat isn’t something they excel at.

While Boxers aren’t the best swimmers, they aren’t completely hopeless. You can train your Boxer to enjoy spending time in the water and learn how to swim. It’s best to start this practice at a young age, be patient, and remain positive. With consistency, you may end up with a Boxer who loves to swim.

Swimming should be a part of a Boxer’s physical activity routine. These dogs are very energetic and active, needing at least 90 minutes of exercise each day. One of the best activities for any dog is swimming because it works all areas of the body. The dog will get an efficient workout while enjoying itself.

Are Dogs With Webbed Feet Better Swimmers?

Dogs with webbed feet are generally better at swimming than dogs without webbing. They can swim very efficiently, allowing them to travel for longer and maintain a better speed. 

This doesn’t mean that dogs who don’t have webbed feet can’t swim. Many dog breeds that aren’t water dogs are still excellent swimmers. However, due to the shape of their feet, they are not able to swim as long of a distance as dogs with webbed feet. Dogs without webbing will get tired out sooner.

What To Know About Boxers’ Feet

The one area of a Boxer’s body that experiences the most wear and tear is its feet. These dogs’ paws see a lot of action, so dog owners will need to ensure their Boxer’s paws are getting the level of care they need. 

While the layer of skin between its toes helps the Boxer maintain balance, their feet also need to be cared for to keep them in good shape. Let’s take a look at things that dog owners need to know about their Boxer’s feet.

Boxer Feet Feel The Temperature

It’s always important to consider the temperature when taking your Boxer outdoors for a walk or run. On hot summer days, allow your Boxer to walk on grass or dirt areas. The sun can heat up the pavement, making it too hot for the dog to step on. 

During winter, the ground freezes, which can be very uncomfortable to step on. When the temperature drops, you should consider putting dog boots on your Boxer’s feet. 

Keep Nails Trimmed

Trimming the nails should be a regular part of every Boxer’s grooming routine. This will prevent the Boxer from having its nails hit the ground. While some owners believe this helps the dog’s nails maintain themselves, it actually causes more harm than good. When a Boxer’s nails hit the ground, they could become jagged or ingrown. 

Check the Paws Often

It’s important to regularly check your Boxer’s paws, especially the skin between the toes. This is because mater from outdoors can get trapped in the dog’s paws. It’s common for owners to clean out dirt, pebbles, debris, and more from their Boxer’s paws after it has been romping around outdoors.

Consider Paw Wax

If your Boxer steps on many surfaces, it may be a good idea to consider a paw wax. This is a type of protective wax that prevents the ground’s surface from causing discomfort or damage to the dog’s paw. It can also keep debris from getting trapped in the paw as well. Paw wax can be used year-round as well.

When You Spot a Cut

Just like kids, dogs can come inside with a cut from playing outdoors. If your Boxer has a cut on its paw, we recommend running cool water from the faucet on it to rinse it off. When the bleeding has stopped, you can apply a pet-friendly ointment to clean the cut. This is important to ensure the dog doesn’t get an infection. 

Since it can be difficult to stop a dog from licking its wound, you will need to keep the paw protected so the ointment can do its job. We recommend wrapping the cut by placing an old sock over your Boxer’s paw. 

Final Thoughts

Do Boxers have webbed feet? Purebred Boxers don’t have webbed feet. The only Boxers that have webbed feet are ones that have been crossbred with a water dog. However, Boxers do have a small layer of skin between their toes that does look similar to webbing. While this layer of skin does help the Boxer with many things, performing well in water isn’t one of them.

The layer of skin between a Boxer’s toes is essential for helping the dog stay balanced. It helps them stay on foot when they are walking around in difficult conditions, such as mud, rocky gravel, or snow. It also helps the dog with digging because the skin acts as a net, grabbing more dirt with every paw full.