Q: I’ve noticed my dog has five toes on each of his front feet and four on each of his back feet? Is
that normal?
Buddy Reines
Shreveport, Louisiana
Dear Mr. Reines,
A: Yes, five toes on the front feet and four on the back feet is normal canine anatomy. That said, some breeds are known for having more toes than that. Polydactyl breeds, as dogs with extra toes are known, include the Norwegian Lundehound. It has five or six toes on each foot. Rotweillers also often have extra toes. So do shiba inus, Australian shepherds, Great Pyrenees, and several other breeds.
Extra toes on a dog are not a problem unless they catch on things or otherwise hinder a dog’s mobility.
