1st May 2006

Read more: Dogs | Comments (0)

Question:

Can you tell me why dogs never seem to slide on ice – is it something to do with their feet?

Answer:

Dogs do not have special adhesive properties on their pads but, as you rightly have noticed, they are very foot sure. This is because their pads create a large surface area on which they rely to prevent their feet from slipping. They also have a relatively low centre of gravity that is spread out over all four feet. However, there are certainly limits to the anti-slip nature of their pads, as you will see when an excited dog is trying to reach you in order to greet you on a highly polished wood floor!