Dogs have more than four feet. For purposes of traction, they have at least twenty. Each paw has five pads that contact the ground independent of one another.

Dogs have more than four feet. For purposes of traction, they have at least twenty. Each paw has five pads that contact the ground independent of one another. Add in their nails, and they have 36 articulated points of contact. Our toes are no longer load-bearing. Whereas we walk with the bulk of our weight on maybe four pads (heel+ball on each foot) dogs walk on an octopus-like network of structures. They will always have better traction.