What a dog paw print looks like
A dog paw print has four toe pads, a larger heel pad and, most of the time, small claw marks in front. Here is what each part is, and how to tell it from a cat's print.
The parts of a dog paw print
- Four toe pads (digital pads) sit in an arc at the front.
- One heel pad (the metacarpal pad) sits behind them. It's the largest and roughly triangular.
- Claw marks usually show as small dots or points just ahead of each toe.
- The dewclaw sits higher up the leg, so it rarely shows in a print.
Dog print or cat print?
Dog prints are usually longer than they are wide and look balanced from side to side. You can often see claw marks. Cat prints are rounder, a little lopsided, with no claw marks, and the heel pad has three bumps along the back edge instead of the dog's single smooth curve.
Front paws and back paws
A dog's front paws are a little bigger and rounder than the back ones, because they carry more weight. Further up the front leg there's a small carpal pad too, which only shows if your dog is running, jumping or sliding to a stop.
Small dog, big dog
A Chihuahua or a terrier can leave a print about an inch across. A Labrador, shepherd or Great Dane can leave one three inches wide or more. The shape stays much the same; only the size changes.