Most people are right-handed, but have you noticed your dog using one paw more often than the other? Whether it’s reaching for a treat or stepping off the curb, dogs can show paw preference, just like humans.
Research has uncovered some surprising trends in canine laterality (the scientific term for paw preference) and the best part is—you can find out your own pup’s paw dominance at home with a few simple tests!
Let’s jump in and find out if your dog is a righty or a lefty.
Do Dogs Have a Paw Preference?
While some dogs favor one paw over the other, many show no preference at all. Unlike humans, where only about 10% are left-handed, dogs seem to have a more even split. There’s no genetic test for paw preference, but research has uncovered some patterns that give us a little more insight into laterality.
The Science of Dogs and Laterality
Scientists are increasingly studying the science behind paw preference in dogs. The patterns they’ve found could help us understand more about dog behavior and job performance.
For instance, Embark, a company that specializes in dog and cat genetics, partnered with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in June 2012. Together they studied paw preference in over 100 dogs. The breeds studied included herding dogs, terriers, and retrievers. The study also separated show dogs from agility dogs to determine the differences there. Embark found that overall, 62% of the dogs showed right-paw preference, similar to a previous study.
The table below summarizes the paw preferences found during the Embark study:
| Dog Group | Left-Pawed | Right-Pawed |
| Agility Dogs | 17 | 29 |
| Show Dogs | 23 | 36 |
| Herding Dogs | 13 | 23 |
| Terriers | 5 | 9 |
| Retrievers | 8 | 3 |
Another study, published by Applied Animal Behaviour Science in 2023, looked at paw preference in working dogs to see how it might affect their job performance. The researchers found that most of the dogs preferred their right paws, while only a few showed a preference for their left paws.
The study suggested that paw preference could be linked to traits like confidence and aggression, which can be important for working dogs. It also found that dogs with a stronger paw preference were more likely to be fully operational (able to perform their assigned tasks or duties effectively without limitations).
This suggests that laterality may help determine which dogs are best for specific jobs.
How to Tell if Your Dog is Right or Left-Pawed
You don’t need genetics or specialized scientific tests to figure out if your dog has a paw preference. There are a few simple tests you can do at home that will give you insight into which paw your dog favors. These methods are easy and can be fun for you and your dog!
Step Test
One of the most common ways to test paw preference is by observing which paw your dog uses to take the first step when starting to walk from a sitting position.
Steps:
- Place your dog in a sitting position on a flat surface.
- Call them over to you from across the room or hold a treat or toy in front of them to get them moving.
- Observe which paw they use first when they step forward.
- Repeat the process several times and record the results.
Crate Test
The crate test is another simple test that involves watching which direction your dog turns when they enter their crate or kennel.
Steps:
- Ask your dog to go into their crate or kennel.
- Watch closely to see if they turn to the left or the right to face forward once inside.
- Repeat and record.
Tape Test
This test involves sticking a small piece of tape on your dog’s nose and seeing which paw they use to remove it.
Steps:
- Lightly place a small piece of tape on the tip of your dog’s nose, without covering their nostrils.
- Watch to see which paw they use to remove the tape.
- Repeat and record.
Kong Test
In the Kong test, you’ll see which paw your dog uses when eating a treat out of a Kong or when playing with a chew toy or other long-lasting treat. Since dogs often use one or both toys to hold or move the toy or treat, this can be an easy way to spot their paw preference.
Steps:
- Fill a Kong with peanut butter or other treats. Or, give your dog a long-lasting chew (such as a bully stick or Yak cheese).
- Give the treat to your dog and observe which paw they use to hold or move the treat.
- Make sure to record the results each time you give your dog a Kong or chew treat.
The Results
After completing one or more of these tests and recording the results, you may see a pattern in which paw your dog uses the most. To get an accurate reading of their paw preference, it’s important to record multiple sessions.
Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT-KAS, a certified professional dog trainer and expert in animal behavior, recommends recording at least 50 instances of paw usage. This allows you to make a realistic determination of your dog’s paw preference by ensuring the results are consistent and not just based on random behavior. Here’s how to read your results:
- If your dog consistently favors one paw over the other, they’re likely right or left-pawed respectively.
- If you do not see a clear pattern or your dog uses both paws equally, you can assume your dog is ambilateral (the dog equivalent of humans being ambidextrous).
By following these simple tests and recording enough results, you’ll be able to tell if your dog is right or left-pawed.
Do You Have a Right or Left-Pawed Dog?
While dogs can be right or left-pawed, some don’t show a paw preference at all. Just like humans can be ambidextrous (use both hands equally), dogs can be ambilateral. Studies show that, like humans, dogs tend to be right-pawed, but more research is needed to fully understand paw preference in dogs. I bet you’re going to try some of these tests with your dog now, right? Enjoy the process and have fun!