Shield Proficiency and things without arms?

[Yogibear41]

If something has shield proficiency, is intelligent (8+ int), but is quadrupedal, can it benefit from non-floating/animated shields? Basically asking if you could just attach the shield to the side of it for lack of a better term to give it an armor bonus.

[Vogonjeltz]

Shields are said to go on the arm.
Legs are not arms.
No.

*a heavy shield, for example precludes the use of the arm for anything else. I guess I'd be ok with a dragon with grasping forelimbs using an appropriately sized shield, so long as it was recognized they couldn't run on four legs anymore.

[hamishspence]

There's a certain amount of grey area between "forearm" and "foreleg" when the creature has some grasping ability.

Especially if it routinely rears up.

I could see a dragon making use of a shield.

[Yanisa]

By strict reading of RAW, no.


Buckler

This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm.


Shield, Heavy, Wooden or Steel

You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand.


Shield, Light, Wooden or Steel

You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand.

Oddly, tower shields do not have this clause, they do say.

Shield, Tower

...nor can you use your shield hand for anything else....

However you can make a case by case basis, like for dragons, but I suspect it is the DM who will have the last word. Nothing in the rules to back you up.