Dogs’ paws have a layer of fat tissue in their pads that helps insulate against cold surfaces. Their paw structure and fur also help provide protection from the elements, though extreme conditions still require caution.
Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds, which is significantly more than cats (only about 470), but far fewer than humans (around 9,000). This explains why they enjoy a wide variety of foods but rely more on their sense of smell for eating than taste.