Based on the paw size, this is clearly a lion dog. Temple guardian lion dogs serve at most temples especially Buddhist temples. Three of the paws are easy to see. The fourth, left-hind paw is raised to scratch.
The position of the dog is upstream from the waiting boatman. This likely is intended to indicate that it will try and stop anyone from getting into the next world who didn't earn passage with the boatman. Notice that the dog appears to be holding something in its mouth to scoop an unworthy person from the river.
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| Image: Philip Maise all rights reserved |
If you still cannot find the fourth paw of this modern photo should help.
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| Image from Petprolife.com |
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