Large paws

[Stefan]

 

Maybe it´s a stupid question, but as they say no question is too stupid to ask, it's just silly not to ask a question. :) Is there anyone in the ES groups that have a deeper knowledge of the Irish setterns anatomy?
Especially paw, how is it that the front paw is significantly larger than rear paws? Is there any practical significance, or is it simply that the largest body mass will have the biggest feet?

 

 

 

[Lois McCullough]

What a lovely question personally I don't have a clue however I am sure someone wiser than I will know the answer. Look forward to seeing the replies!!!

[Chantal McIlveen-Wright]

Like Lois I am interested to read about it, I never noticed it before and went to check my 2 Irish who have indeed the front paws larger than the rear paws  :-)  :-)

[Lois McCullough]

Lovely Chantal can you imagine how many IS custodians around the world are doing just that. Our 'boys' have bigger front paws than the rear even thought the pair of them are stretched out sound asleep.

[JOANNE]

My word that is a very cute puppy :-). XX

[silvia]

interesting question.. I posed it to my husband and he's under the impression that all dogs have this feature, even the small ones.. not sure if this is true, and we dont know the reason behind.. well, body weight sounds reasonable to us, but who knows..

Maybe some more expert person will help us with the dilemma?? :)

[Melinda Auld]

I'd imagine you hit the nail on the head with your "body mass" theory.  Also, dogs dig with their front feet, and swim...so I'd say, from the point of view of evolution, these feet needed to be bigger and stronger?

[Cornelia]

Maybe this is that they have a better hold when trying to pinch things from the table or the kitchen surface :-)). Sorry, I have no serious clue - but you have a very cute puppy there :-)).

[Sherry Miller]

Perhaps to grab hold of the ground as they gather speed in running? Bet this feature is the same in most animals who run fast ( wolves, cheetahs, etc)....though I think Chantal hit it on the head with our Irish.  Darling puppy with such sweet eyes!

[Sherry Miller]

My husband told me I have it all wrong.....he says Irish Setters have large front paws so you can not ignore them when they wish to shake hands or give you a high five!

[Ellen Turberfield]

Think i agree with Sherry's husband who could ignore shaking paws or high fives with them big brown eyes looking at you (",)