True or False: Dogs sweat primarily through their paw pads.

The story behind the answer

True. Dogs have merocrine (eccrine) sweat glands mainly in their paw pads, which can leave damp footprints on hot days. These glands help with minor cooling and improve traction. Most of a dog’s body has apocrine glands that function more for scent communication than for temperature control, so dogs rely primarily on panting to shed heat through evaporating moisture from the tongue and airways.

Remember it this way: paws perspire, pups pant. Fur limits body sweating, so cooling comes from the mouth and a little from the pads. You might also notice a cool, moist nose—it helps with scenting and a bit of heat exchange too.