Coat and Food Questions

Question
Magic's Information:
Labrador Retriever (purebred)
2 years, 10 months
Last visited the vet 3 weeks ago (to check on her ears, which are all better now)
She is currently switching from Royal Canin Labrador Retriever to Orijen (almost all on Orijen now)
Orijen Adult Formula
http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/products/adult.aspx
She was on Surolan for her ears (eight drops in each ear, twice daily, for a bit over a month), now she gets her ears cleaned once a week with OtiScrub, a cleaner.

Magic's History:
We got Magic from a breeder in Barrie who was going to breed her but to do her small size, decided to let her go to a forever home. We found Magic in July and only just brought her home in October. She is very sweet, has no aggression issues, is active and besides the ear infection she had is healthy. The ear infection cleared up with the medicine. She has a beautiful face and everyone thinks she is a puppy. She is about 58 pounds and our only concerns are listed below.

Concerns:
Magic licks and chews her back paws with gusto. She sticks her entire foot inside her mouth and chews, for a good two minutes. Is this normal? I was just wondering if this is something to be concerned about. I notice it happening about two-three times a week.
Magic's coat seems to be a bit dull, I groom her regularly. It's not as smooth as some other labs I've seen. Orijen is one of the highest quality dog foods out there and I was wondering if you have any tips on helping her coat thank you.
I know this is not your subject but could you please give me some advice on this:
We walk Magic through a conservation area for 30 minutes in the morning and 1 hour in the after noon (and she pees again at night) but with all the snow and ice I am very worried about her paws. I notice small cracks, they don't bleed and they aren't deep but I was thinking about getting her Muttluks the dog boots to protect her paws. Sometimes she holds one paw in the air for a few seconds while walking but then she seems fine and a few days a go I saw a very very slight limp, i might have imagined it. Do you think buying Muttluks for Magic is necessary or am I just being too worried?

Thank you very much for taking your time to read this.

-Sincerely,
Violet

Answer
If she walks through much salt, the Muttluks might help.  I grit my teeth about all the salt my dogs walk through, but they seem to do fine, but dogs are different.  

Some Labs have ear infections.  Usually they clear up OK, but often keep coming back.  Get back to the vet if so.  

I think Orjen is one of the most highly over rated foods there is.  It is very expensive, but has little else to recommend it.  I see many reports of dogs having problems that are eating it and other highly rated foods.  What was the breeder feeding, the Royal Canin?  Another food I see many bad reports.  Are they both Lamb based?  If so, I would look at a chicken or even beef based food.  

Is she a yellow Lab?  Last year I had a couple of black Labs eating Pro Plan chicken and rice.  I though if they were any shiner, I would need to wear sunglasses to groom them.  Raven went away to dog guide school and I have Delilah, and yellow Lab.  None of them ever have the fine coats the black ones do.