It is possible to understand the relationship between a puppy’s paw and the puppy’s size when one knows the growth stages a puppy undergoes. However, the author concludes one cannot rely on finding the puppy’s size using its paws as the result might be wrong.
Determining the size of the puppy based on its paws is a fun and interesting activity. Other alternatives to consider are the elasticity of your puppy’s skin, breed records and the parents’ information.
Source: Puppies and Pooches, November 15, 2021. Link.
INSIGHTS: First puppy visits are full of questions. It might be fun to record the pet owner’s perception of their puppy’s adult size based on paw size. Put their guess in the medical record and bring that up at the one-year exam.
Also see: Understanding the Frito feet smell on dogs’ feet, AHD, September 4, 2018. Link. Many pet owners notice their dogs’ paws smell like corn chips. Robert J. Silver, DVM, MS, CVA, explains the root cause.