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My grandfather said that a trait of wolves is that they cross their paws when they lie down. My grandfather adopted a dog who he believed was part wolf because the dog crossed its paws.

Is this a myth or fact?

My dog always crosses her paws when she lays down, sleeping at times also. so i'd say that's a fact. but not all dos or wolves do this, i believe.

Ok, I never even checked if my dog crosses his paws when he sleeps.All I know is that when he lies down, he doesn't cross his paws.

Many dogs cross their legs when thay lay down. But then again it is a trait that wolves also do have.

Actually it's not just wolves, lots of animals that have fairly long legs cross their paws when they lie down coz it's easier than folding them underneath their body.

Take cats as an example, domestic cats will fold their legs under their body when they lie down and so will tigers sometimes, but not as often, whereas Cheetahs won't, they always lie with their legs straight and often cross their paws.

I never knew that about cheetahs and so on, but it makes sense. My guess about dogs or wolves crossing their paws when they lay down is that some do and some don't (but that's been confirmed, anyway). Those that do probably do it because it's comfortable, sort of like the way some people rest their heads on their arms when they lay down.

Lots of creatures cross their paws when lying down: It's not a "Wolf trait." Anyone can do that... this sort of action is a comfort thing, not a trait.

Yeah... probably a myth. Archie always crosses his paws and so does my dad's spaniel. But.. let's not forget that all dogs are related to wolves.

umm... i ever seen wolf sleep but i don't see the hand, i believe.

I don't know. My papaw's collie does that when she lays down.