Do Australian Shepherds Typically Have Webbed Feet? Facts & FAQ
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The Australian Shepherd is known for its high energy and incredible work ethic. An activity you might want your Aussie to do is swimming. If you’ve been looking to adopt an Aussie, you probably want to know if they’re strong swimmers with webbed feet.
Webbed feet are a good indicator that a dog is a strong swimmer, so that begs the question, do Australian Shepherds have webbed feet? The short answer is no, adult Australian Shepherds do not typically have webbed feet. We’ll tell you everything there is to know about the Aussie’s feet and swimming capabilities and more.
Do Australian Shepherds Typically Have Webbed Feet?
Dogs with webbed feet, like Newfoundlands, Poodles, and Portuguese Water Dogs, are great swimmers. The Australian Shepherd, however, does not typically have webbed feet. If your Aussie has webbed feet, they most likely aren’t purebred. A grown Aussie with webbed feet was probably crossbred with a breed meant for swimming, such as Labrador Retriever or a Golden Retriever.
It’s important to note that almost all dog breeds have webbed feet as puppies. So, if your Aussie pup has webbed feet, that’s completely normal. Australian Shepherd adults don’t have webbed feet, and they aren’t good swimmers.
Are Australian Shepherds Good Swimmers?
Aussies are not natural swimmers, but they are quick learners. An Aussie that gets into the water will figure out how to swim very quickly. They were not bred to swim, but their high intelligence and drive for new experiences make learning an easy task. An Aussie can even be taught to be an excellent swimmer, almost on the level of dogs with webbed feet.
It’s very important for Aussies to get exercise. They need 1 to 2 hours of exercise a day, and swimming is a great way to get them some of their daily exercise. Australian Shepherds aren’t bred for swimming, but what are they bred for?
History of the Australian Shepherd
Surprisingly, the Australian Shepherd isn’t Australian—the breed was developed in the U.S.A. During the early colonization of the Americas, sheep were imported for food. When you import sheep, you need dogs to herd them.
During this time, several of these herding dogs were imported from Australia and New Zealand, and from there, the name stuck. The dogs from Australia were bred with dogs from other regions like the Pyrenees and the Basque Region. These dogs were bred for their ranching skills and work ethics. Eventually, in the 19th century, an entirely different breed had emerged.
Final Thoughts
The Aussie is a dog built for ranch work, not swimming. But, despite their lack of webbed feet, the Aussie’s natural athleticism and drive for new experiences make learning to swim easy for them. Teaching your Aussie to swim is a great way to get them some of their daily exercise.
Aussies require a lot of exercise, and owning one is a responsibility. Without the necessary amount of care, an Aussie will become unhappy. Taking them for a run and letting them swim are excellent ways to get them the exercise and interaction they need. So, if you’re looking to adopt an Aussie, remember swimming isn’t their strong suit, but they are energetic, active, and extremely loving, and they will make the perfect pet for a family.
Featured Image Credit: Vera Reva, Shutterstock
