Here in the UK all the dogs used by the arson teams in the fire department are fitted with shoes to protect their feet, and long before these came available I invested in a set of husky boots for my GSD after he cut his pads badly and find they came in good use on those frosty days pavement pounding where there had been too much road salt put down - he often limped after being in contact with too much - and they were a great way to protect his feet.

I'd love to get some of the new variety as they are much better fitting that the sort I have.

How do you prepare  your dog for wearing the boots...?

I have seen quite a few GSD's that had tender feet for a variety of reasons from not being exposed to the right environment to just being senstative. I never pick stickers/goatheads from my dogs feet unless really severe as they will learn to shut down and wait for you to come help. Last time I was with  a SAR group on of their best dogs was that way but the handler always ran to the resue. My dogs went over the same ground and never flinched.

But this is a good ideal to protect the dogs like they said from glass etc. I can see alot uses if done correctly. Thats why I always imprint my dogs from pups on up as they mature to all types of things including rough ground etc....

For the most part I agree with you DR but occaisonally a track will go through an area that is covered in very large mats of the nasty things and for that it is usefull.  Our area is infested with the nasty things ( I hate sand burrs more though)

Colleen and K9 Barbie

Your right Dessert Ranger: the imprinting from puppy hood is very important...

These boots are good for police dogs, though , when glass and needles are involved...kinda a more dangerous situation and an all day jont on a pavement over 125 F* in summer...Most dogs have to walk their beat in foreign countries...not like here and ride in the a/c patrol car..

I agree the boots can be very useful; I know this can be an issue at many places such as SAR in damaged buildings. I have no problem using if needed.  My point was not to over do it and end up with tender footed dogs, Kinda like when we were kids going barefoot all the time no problem, now it can hurt as we get older as we wear shoes all the time outside.

I'll take the brown wingtip's  8 pair.