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We’re a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend.
By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health - and that’s a scientific fact.
The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
There’s also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust.
One thing to consider is that some dogs have webbed feet - an attribute more commonly associated with birds and aquatic mammals.
Having thin layers of connecting tissue between the toes – commonly known as webbed feet – can help dogs in a several ways.
Most obviously, it helps them swim more efficiently, meaning many dogs bred to retrieve items from water are web-footed. The shape of the foot means that they can paddle quicker, displacing more water than otherwise would be possible, and be more controlled in their movements.
It also helps dogs dig faster, while the greater surface area created makes it easier to walk on surfaces like sand, snow and mud.
This means that web-footed pups are also prized by hunters and those looking for the perfect search and rescue dogs for all terrains.
Here are 12 of the breeds of dog that have webbed feet.
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5. Dachshund
Not exactly known for their swimming abilities, it comes as a surprise to many that their cute sausage dog has webbed feet. Originally bred for hunting, their specialised feet help the Dachshund dig really quickly to locate critters underground. | Canva/Getty Images
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6. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
By this point in the list it's probably clear that if a dog has 'retriever' in its name then it has webbed feet. Another example is the curly haired Chesapeake Bay Retriever. | Canva/Getty Images
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7. Weimaraner
Bred to be an all-terrain hunting dog, the Weimaraner's long legs and webbed feet make it comfortable running on all surfaces before confidently jumping into the water when required. | Canva/Getty Images
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8. Irish Water Spaniel
As the name may suggest, there are few things the Irish Water Spaniel enjoys more than going for a dip in a river, lake or sea - aided by their webbed paws. | Canva/Getty Images