Do dogs smile? The secrets behind those cheesy grins

Updated 27/02/2024

If you’re anything like us, you can’t help but break into a huge grin the moment you lock eyes with a four-pawed pal. But do dogs smile back? It’s the question on everyone’s lips…

Do dogs smile?

The answer is yes! Well, sort of…

It used to be thought that when dogs crack a smile, this was more of a muscular reflex than an expression of emotions. But in recent years, our understanding of canine behavior has evolved and we now know of 4 possible reasons for those toothy grins.

Why do dogs smile? 

So now you know the answer to “Can dogs smile?” let’s take a look at why they do it.

Happy hounds

Do dogs smile when happy? Yes, just like humans, our four-pawed pals smile because they’re happy and content (cue smiling dog selfies). But while it’s unlikely they’ll smile because they’re watching a funny TikTok video, grinning from ear to ear is a sign they’re feeling comfortable and safe (that’s enough to put a smile on anyone’s face!). Some people confuse panting with a dog smiling, and although your furry friend is probably having a whale of a time playing fetch, they’re likely opening their mouth wide to increase the flow of oxygen rather than grinning from ear to ear. But just because you don’t have a smiley doggo, that doesn’t mean they’re not happy - nothing spells happiness more than a wagging tail!

Copycats

Whether they’re matching our enthusiasm or sensing our unease, dogs are masters at interpreting facial expressions and body language and mimicking our behavior. They’ve learned from the best - since dog lovers can’t help but break into a smile when they see their favorite furry friends, our canine companions may have grown accustomed to copying them. Dogs have a knack for understanding what makes their beloved pet parents happy, and just as they can be taught to play dead, maybe they’ve figured out the secret to making their favorite person smile… 

“I’m not a threat”

Dogs also flash those pearly whites as a sign of submission when they perceive someone or something as more dominant. This is usually accompanied by a flattening of the ears against the head, squinting of the eyes, and sometimes rolling onto their backs to show their belly in the ultimate pose of submission. A submissive smiling dog may be signaling to other furry friends that they come in peace, or equally that they’ve done something naughty like chewed through the sofa - although the dog submissive grin isn’t typically a demonstration of guilt, but rather, an attempt to appease you. 

“Back off”

A toothy dog smile can sometimes be a sign of aggression, especially when accompanied by a number of other behavioral cues. Watch out for a dog smiling with teeth if it’s coupled with licking of the lips, snarling or growling, and a noticeable stiffening of the body, as these may be signs your four-pawed pal is feeling not so friendly. 

A smile might be worth a thousand words, but it seems to have a thousand meanings in the world of dogs! Whether you’re a brand-new pet parent or you’re dog sitting for a furry friend who keeps flashing that million-dollar smile, remember to check out the rest of your pooch pal’s body language to decipher what they’re really trying to say. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.