I was once bathing my American Bully and washing his toes when I noticed that there was some connecting tissue between his paws. I thought to myself, “Do they have webbed feet?”
After further research and consultation with a vet, I discovered that American Bullies typically do not have webbed feet. However, they do possess a connecting membrane between their paws, which is technically not webbing and is completely normal. Some American Bullies may have more prominent webbed feet, resembling those of water dog breeds.
Today, in this article, I will tell you about how to know whether your American bullies have webbed feet or not and what’s the reasons behind the bullies having webbed feet.
So, let’s dive in!
Contents
Why Most American Bullies Don’t Have Webbed Feet
Most American Bullies do not have webbed feet because they are not a breed that typically requires or benefits from having webbed feet. Webbed feet are typically found in breeds that are known for their swimming abilities and water retrieval skills, such as Labrador Retrievers or Newfoundlands.
American Bullies are a relatively new breed that was developed for their appearance and temperament rather than specific working abilities.
American bullies are a mix of various bully breeds, including American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. These breeds are not known for their swimming abilities, so there was no selection for webbed feet during the breeding process.
Additionally, webbed feet are an adaptation seen in certain animals that live in aquatic environments or have a need for efficient swimming. The lack of webbed feet in American Bullies is simply a result of their genetic makeup and the absence of a need for such a feature in their breed history.
What Should a Pure Breed American Bully’s Feet Look Like?
There is no specific take on the webbed feet of the American bully by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC). However, there are breed standards and guidelines related to the feet of the American bully.
According to the breed standards for American bullies, you should ensure that your dog’s feet are rounded, medium-sized, arched, and with tight, compact toes. These characteristics are important for maintaining the overall structure and movement of the breed.
Long toes, flat feet, and splayed feet are considered faults and may affect the dog’s agility and ability to move efficiently.
The connective tissue between the toes should be thin, shallow, and not prominent. This allows for flexibility and proper weight distribution when the dog is walking or running.
Additionally, the feet should face forward and not be tilted inward or outward, as this can lead to gait abnormalities and potential joint issues.
What if My American Bully Does Have Webbed Feet?
By now, you have understood that American bullies do not have webbed feet they just have connective tissue in between their toes, but if you still think that your American surely has webbed feet, then it could be due to the following reasons
Mixed breed-
One of the most common reasons is that you might not have a purebred American bully. In the USA, there are no specific regulations related to American bullies which results in the mixing of the breeds.
There is a good chance the American bully breed you have bought from a pet shop or from a local breeder might not be a pure breed and could be mixed with genes of the other webbed feet dog breeds like labrador retriever, Poodle, Dachshund, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Weimaraner, Portuguese water dog, otterhound to name a few.
Genetic abnormalities-
If your American bully is a pure breed but still they possess webbed feet then it might be due to genetic abnormalities.
There has to be something happening in the genetic background of your American bully that has given them this unique characteristic.
It is important to know that webbed feet-like structure caused by genetic mutation can sometimes be susceptible to issues like scoliosis, and cleft palate, or can cause hip dysplasia and other types of bone malfunctioning issues.
So, if you notice your American bully has web feet consult with a vet to be sure that it does not have other health issues issues.
Webbed feet due to genetic mutation without any type of health issues it completely fine.
You can buy a Dog DNA Test kit which is quite easily available on platforms like Amazon. You can use this kit to find out whether your bully is a mixed breed or not. If the answer is yes, you will get to know that the webbed feet are due to the mixing of the other breeds and if no, then it is a genetic issue.
The Relationship Between American Bullies and Swimming
Even though some American Bullies don’t have webbed feet, many of them can still enjoy swimming. Some people mistakenly believe that dogs must have webbed feet to be good swimmers. While webbed feet do help dogs swim better by providing more drive in water, they are not the only factor that determines a dog’s ability to swim.
Other factors, such as a dog’s body shape, size, and buoyancy, also play important roles. American Bullies, with their strong and muscular bodies, can stay afloat and use their powerful hindquarters to move in the water, even without webbed feet. So, whether or not they have webbed feet, they can do well in the water.
However, it’s important to remember that not all American Bullies are naturally comfortable swimmers. Each dog has its own personality and comfort level around water.
Some American bullies don’t like swimming. So, it’s a good idea to introduce them to swimming slowly, allowing them to become familiar with the water gradually before going deeper.
But if your American bully still doesn’t like to swim. Don’t force them!
Above all, prioritize safety when you take your bully swimming. Always make sure they wear a life jacket and never leave your American Bully unsupervised near water.
What Are The Disadvantages of Having an American Bully With Webbed Feet?
1. Great home for external parasites- One disadvantage is that the excess and thin skin on their paws can attract fleas, ticks, and other parasites, so it’s important to regularly check and groom the thin skin between your American bully’s webbed toes to keep them healthy.
2. Injury- The skin between their paws can sometimes get cut or injured especially when they are active in rough terrain. If your dog gets injured, make sure to carefully check and clean the hurt area. If you think it’s a serious injury, get help from a vet right away.
3. Health issues- American bullies with Webbed feet may be susceptible to certain health issues like scoliosis(unnatural curve in the spine that can lead to compression in the spinal cord), cleft palates(looks like a hole in the roof of the mouth), and shortened leg bones(tibia and fibula).
What are the benefits of Having a web-footed American bully?
1. Great Swimmers- The webbing between their toes allows for increased surface area, enabling them to swim more efficiently. This feature is beneficial for Pitbulls, it helps them paddle through the water with ease, making them well-suited for activities like dock diving and water rescue.
2. Better stability- The webbed feet provide American bullies with better stability and balance on various terrains. The extra skin between their toes acts as a natural snowshoe, distributing their weight and preventing them from sinking into soft ground or snow. This adaptation is especially useful in colder climates where American bullies may encounter icy or snowy conditions.
3. Protective barrier- The webbing between their toes acts as a protective barrier. It helps to prevent debris, such as rocks or thorns, from getting lodged between their toes and causing discomfort or injury. Moreover, the webbed feet aid in facilitating quick movement, enabling American bullies to navigate challenging terrains more efficiently.
FAQ
Are webbed feet rare in American bullies?
No, it is not very rare, you can see many American bullies having webbed feet as a large number of American bullies are mixed breeds. Only pure-breed American bullies not have webbed feet although they do have small connective tissues between the paws.
Do all dogs are born with webbed feet?
Yes, Research shows that all dog breeds are born with webbed feet but some dog breeds lose their webbed feet when they reach adulthood. Only dog breeds that are designed for swimming and activities that require the use of webbed feet carry this trait into their adulthood.
Final Thoughts
Finally, it can be concluded that all dogs have some minor connecting tissues between their toes and American bullies are no different, But if they do have connecting tissues between their paws like a labrador or other water breeds then you might have webbed feet bully.
They might possess webbed feet due to genetic reasons or might be you have a mixed breed. Do consult your vet about it.
And lastly, if you have a bully with webbed feet take them to Swimming!!