Do Dogs Smile?

As a dog owner, you probably know how to tell when your furry friend is happy. They might wag their tail, jump up and down, or give you big, wet kisses. But what about smiling? Do dogs actually smile, or is it just a myth?

The short answer is yes, dogs can smile! But it's important to understand what we mean when we say "smile." When a dog is happy, their muscles relax and their mouth naturally forms a relaxed, open position. This can sometimes resemble a human smile, but it's not quite the same thing.

Canine smiles are different from human smiles in a few key ways. For one, dogs don't smile intentionally. They don't understand the concept of smiling or use it as a way to communicate. When a dog's mouth is open and relaxed, it's usually a sign of happiness, contentment, or relaxation, but it's not because they're trying to smile.

Another difference is the way a dog's mouth looks when they're smiling. Dogs don't have the same muscles that humans have to form a true smile, so their expressions are often more relaxed and open than a human smile. This can sometimes look like a grin, but it's not quite the same thing.

So, what do professional dog trainers and behaviourists have to say about the matter? According to Dr. Stanley Coren, a renowned dog expert and professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, dogs can show signs of happiness through their body language and facial expressions, including smiling. However, he notes that dogs don't actually understand the concept of smiling in the same way that humans do.

Another expert, Dr. Karen Overall, a certified applied animal behaviorist, says that a dog's smile is not necessarily a sign of happiness, but rather a sign of relaxed submission. When a dog is happy, their body is relaxed and their mouth naturally opens, which can look like a smile.

So, how can you tell when your dog is smiling? Keep an eye out for these signs of a happy dog:

1. Relaxed body language: When a dog is happy and relaxed, their body is loose and their tail is wagging.

2. Open mouth: A relaxed, open mouth is a good sign that your dog is feeling happy and content.

3. Soft eyes: Happy dogs often have soft, relaxed eyes, rather than intense or squinty eyes.

4. Play behaviour: If your dog is playing and having fun, they're likely to show signs of happiness, including smiling.

So, there you have it – dogs can indeed smile, but it's a different type of smile than what we're used to seeing in humans. By paying attention to your dog's body language and facial expressions, you can get a good idea of when they're feeling happy and relaxed. And who knows, you might even catch your pup smiling from ear to ear!

References:

1. Stanley Coren, PhD. “Do Dogs Smile?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 1 May 2009, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/200905/do-dogs-smile.

2. Karen Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, DACVB, ABSC. “Canine Body Language and Emotions.” Karen Overall, www.karenoverall.com/client-handouts/canine-body-language-and-emotions."