Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Can Dogs Be Left or Right Pawed? Vet-Approved Facts & Explanation

Dog Paws

Everyone knows humans can be right-handed or left-handed, but have you ever wondered the same about your dog? As it turns out, some dogs prefer using one paw over the other, and some have no preference at all. A dog’s brain is structured similarly to a human’s, with each of the two hemispheres holding specializations, which researchers call “laterality.”

In this post, we’ll explore this topic in detail to better understand whether dogs are right-pawed or left-pawed.

dogster paw divider

What Is Laterality?

Before we look at particular studies on this topic, let’s define “laterality.” Laterality is the preference to use one side of the body over the other, such as a preference to use your right or left hand. In the medical sense, laterality specifies which of the brain’s two hemispheres is dominant. The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls the right side.

Happy boy and dog playing with automatic throw and fetch machine launching tennis balls
Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock

Are Dogs Mostly Right-Handed Like Humans?

Studies show that only 10% of humans in the world are left-handed, so does this apply to dogs as well?

The largest study of canine handedness from 2021,1 which tested 17,901 dogs, showed that of the dogs that showed a clear preference for one paw over the other, 58.3% of dogs were right-handed, and 41.7% of the dogs that showed a paw preference were left-handed. This makes left-handedness much more common in dogs compared to humans.

The task in this study was food retrieval from a plastic or cardboard tube that the dogs had to reach their paws into to get a treat from the end of the tube. 74% of the tested dogs showed a clear paw preference, while the other 26% showed no preference and used both paws equally, referred to as “ambilateral”. This is much higher than the percentage of ambidextrous humans which is only about 1% of the population. Interestingly, a preference to use their right paw was significantly higher in females than males and elderly dogs tended to be more right-pawed than younger dogs.

Dogster_Website dividers_v1_Jan 18 2024-01-TEST

Other Ways to Measure Laterality in Dogs

Other studies have used different methods to measure laterality in dogs.

1. Kong Test

Researchers have also used the “Kong test” to conduct studies on this topic. The Kong test is a motor test that examines a dog’s preference for holding a Kong toy stuffed with food. If you’re not familiar with the Kong toy, it is an ultra-durable, cylinder-shaped rubber toy with a hole in the bottom that you can fill with treats or goodies for enrichment.

When conducting this particular test, researchers examine how much a dog uses either the right paw or the left paw or if the dog uses both paws while holding the Kong to access the food inside, as this task requires a dog to hold the Kong still. Studies revealed that of dogs that showed a preference, there was a similar number of right-pawed and left-pawed dogs.

shiba inu dog chewing a kong chew toy
Image Credit: AlyssaRich, Shutterstock

2. First-Stepping Test

Another method for conducting such studies is a test called the “First-Stepping Test.” This experiment involves observing which paw a dog leads with from a level-standing position. After observing multiple repetitions, the dog’s paw preference can be cataloged. This test is different from the Kong test because it is not food-motivated.

Unlike the Kong test, this study suggested a bias towards the right paw and was less affected by other factors such as the age, breed and sex of the dog. The researchers concluded that a dog’s lateralized behavior is likely strongly task-dependent.


3. The Food Dish Test

This laterality test uses food dishes filled with food or treats set at 45-degree angles to a dog’s left or right. The choice of dish was visually guided so this is more of a test for visual laterality than paw laterality, and it is thought that these are independent of each other in dogs. While the dog can eat from both dishes, what counts is which dish the dog goes to first. The results showed that over half of the dogs included in the study showed no preference, and the remaining dogs were almost equal in turning to the right or left dish.

jack rusell terrier dog eating kibble from a slow feeding bowl
Image Credit: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock

Dogster_Website dividers_v1_Jan 18 2024-01-TEST

Can Laterality Suggest a Dog’s Personality or Behavior?

Studies have found that dogs who scored as ambilateral from the Kong test appeared to be more playful and aggressive than dogs that showed left- and right-bias. The same study showed that dogs who scored as ambilateral from the First Stepping Test, showed more shyness-boldness traits and sociability but no aggressiveness. These findings indicate that paw preference can be linked to a dog’s personality or behavior, especially regarding traits relating to strong emotions.

It has also been shown that domesticated species, including dogs, with a left-limbed preference have a greater susceptibility to stress, and are more likely to show heightened fear and aggression. While these studies are an excellent starting point for understanding laterality in dogs, further studies are needed for more insights into animal welfare regarding paw preference. Of course, paw preference is far from the only determining factor in animal behavior; genetics, socialization, past experiences, and health all play very important roles.

So, Is Your Dog Right-Pawed or Left-Pawed?

If you are curious about whether your dog is right or left-pawed, you can conduct these same tests at home to give you a little indication of your dog’s paw preference. In addition to these tests, try holding a treat in a closed hand and study which paw your dog uses first to investigate.

woman giving treat to a dog
Image Credit: EugeneEdge, Shutterstock

dogster paw divider

Final Thoughts

Whether a dog is right-pawed, left-pawed, or ambilateral could help us understand some aspects of canine behavior, but further studies could reveal a wide array of findings that could help us better understand our pets. However, these studies seem to indicate that the percentage of right or left-pawed dogs is more evenly distributed compared to humans.

If you are curious, now you know the simple tests you can perform at home to determine your dog’s paw preference.

See Also: 


Featured Image Credit: 9gifts, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Tail Docking vs Tail Amputation: Vet-Verified Differences & Explanation

Tail docking and tail amputation are commonly mistaken as the same thing. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct...

Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

Cockapoos make great family pets. They are gentle and loving dogs who are good with other animals and children. They are also relatively...

Dog Vomiting: What to Do When Your Pup Throws Up (Vet Approved)

Seeing your dog throw up is concerning, and after you’ve had the unpleasant experience of cleaning up after your pet, what do you...

Pyrenean Shepherd Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Traits & Care

The Pyrenean Shepherd is like the compact, shaggy cousin of the giant Great Pyrenees, quicker on their feet and with a wickedly bright...

More related

Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell Like Fish? Vet-Reviewed Causes & Solutions

We’ve all encountered some bad dog breath. While it’s considered common for your dog’s mouth to smell a little, if you notice a...

Are Dogs Allowed on Anna Maria Island Beaches? 2025 Update & Dog-Friendly Spots Nearby

When it comes to finding an ideal beach destination, Anna Maria Island is a great choice for both you and your family. From...

Do Dogs Have Eyebrows? Vet-Verified Canine Facts

When you’re looking at your pup, and they’re gazing back, do you notice the innocent slanting of their eyebrows when they hear their...

Saint Weiler (Saint Bernard & Rottweiler Mix) Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Saint Weiler dog breed is certainly not for the faint-hearted! This cross comes from a hybrid of purebred parentage of Rottweilers and...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Eggs? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Eggs are popular items in most American refrigerators. People use them in a wide variety of recipes, so it is only natural to wonder if dogs can eat them too. The short answer is yes. Your dog can eat eggs...

Can Dogs Eat_eggs

8 Best Natural Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

As the pet food industry changes, so do the recipes that you see on shelves. Many contain artificial ingredients that could cause significant health problems for your dog later. Many pet owners are alarmed to learn that some of the...

Beagle eating from a bowl

Inukshuk Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Inukshuk is not a brand that most people are familiar with, but we hope to change that! Inukshuk dog food is for very active dogs. They have four recipes, which vary in the percentage of protein they offer. Therefore, you...

Dogster_Inukshuk Dog Food Review

Solid Gold Puppy Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary The Solid Gold dog food brand came to be in 1974 and during the early years, most of their foods contain more natural ingredients that were based on a holistic diet. The company was founded by Sissy Harrington...

Dogster_Solid Gold Puppy Food Review

Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? Vet-Verified Facts & Health Benefits

Luckily, because our canines are omnivores, just like us, we can enjoy many of the same foods. There are quite a few food items that are interchangeable. So, since you likely know that you can share quite a few fruits,...

Can Dogs Eat Pineapple

8 Best Dog Foods for Cockapoos in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

The adorable, teddy-bear-like cockapoo has a hilarious personality and calm temperament that’s endearing to many families. These loveable goofs are known for their outgoing, friendly personalities and low-shedding coats. Cockapoos get along with children, other dogs, and even cats. It’s...

Cockapoo in the mountains

How Much Food to Feed a Golden Retriever (Puppy & Adult Guide)

Feeding your Golden Retriever involves a lot of variables, many of which are largely dependent on the individual pup. Your dog may vigorously chomp down all of their kibbles the second they hit the bowl or may snobbishly languish around...

Golden Retriever eating

How to Measure Dog Food Portions Based on Breed Size & Weight

Simple as it may sound, measuring dog food portions accurately is an art. According to a 2019 study, improperly measuring your dog’s food can result in health consequences, including nutritional deficiencies and obesity. Obesity affects around 25–30% of dogs, with...

measures a portion of dry dog food using an electronic scale