You know the look. Your dog is sitting on the rug, ears pinned back slightly, lips pulled up to reveal a row of pearly whites in a goofy, wide-mouthed grin. It’s hilarious. You grab your phone, snap a photo, and suddenly that funny dog face smile is all over your Instagram feed. But if you’ve ever stopped to wonder if your dog is actually "smiling" because they heard your joke or if they’re just trying to tell you they’re about to sneeze, you aren't alone.
Dogs are masters of facial mimicry. They’ve spent roughly 30,000 years watching us, studying our weird human expressions, and figuring out which ones get them an extra slice of bacon.
But here is the thing: a dog "smiling" isn't always the same thing as a human smiling. Sometimes it’s pure joy. Other times? It’s a submissive gesture that basically means "I’m not a threat, please don't be mad about the shoe I chewed." Understanding the nuance between a happy pant and a submissive grin is the difference between a great photo op and missing a major stress signal from your best friend.
The Anatomy of a Funny Dog Face Smile
When we talk about a dog smiling, we’re usually looking at a few different physical behaviors. The most common one is the "submissive grin." This is that specific, toothy look where the front teeth are exposed, but the body language is soft.
Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor at Texas A&M University and executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, has noted that this specific tooth-baring is often a way for dogs to show they are non-threatening. It’s a peace offering. It looks ridiculous to us—sorta like a nervous kid's school picture—but in the dog world, it’s a very polite way of saying "We’re cool, right?"
Then you have the "panting smile." This is more about cooling down. When a dog is relaxed and happy, their mouth hangs open, the tongue flops out, and the corners of their mouth turn up. To our human brains, which are hardwired to look for familiar patterns, this looks exactly like a human grin. We see happiness because we want to see happiness. And honestly? Most of the time, we’re right.
Why Do They Do It?
It’s mostly about us. Seriously.
Dogs are incredibly sensitive to our reactions. If your dog accidentally pulls their lips back and you start laughing, giving them scratches, and saying "Oh my god, look at his face!", that dog just learned a valuable lesson.
- Action: Pull lips back.
- Result: Human becomes a fountain of affection and treats.
They’re smart. They repeat what works. Evolutionarily speaking, dogs that could better communicate with humans—or at least look like they were communicating—were the ones who got fed and kept warm. This is what researchers often call "selective pressure." We basically bred dogs to have more expressive faces. A 2019 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that dogs have a specific muscle, the levator anguli oculi medialis, which allows them to raise their inner eyebrows. Wolves don't have this. It’s the "puppy dog eyes" muscle. The funny dog face smile is just another tool in that evolutionary kit.
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When a Smile Isn't a Smile: Spotting the "Aggressive Snarl"
This is where it gets a bit serious. You have to be able to tell the difference between a goofy grin and a warning.
A submissive or happy smile is accompanied by "soft" features. Think squinty eyes, a wagging tail (or a whole vibrating butt), and ears that are either neutral or tucked back playfully. The body is relaxed.
An aggressive snarl is different. The lips are pulled back vertically to show the canines. The nose wrinkles up. The body is stiff. The ears are forward or pinned hard against the head. The eyes might be "hard"—staring intensely without blinking much. If you see this, it’s not a funny dog face smile. It’s a "back off" signal.
Most owners know their dogs well enough to tell, but it’s easy for kids or strangers to misinterpret a snarl for a smile. Always look at the whole dog, not just the mouth. If the tail is tucked or the dog is "whale eyeing" (showing the whites of their eyes), they aren't happy. They're stressed.
The "Flehmen Response" and Other Weird Faces
Sometimes that "smile" isn't even about emotions at all. Have you ever seen your dog catch a scent, then curl their upper lip and look like they’re tasting the air with a goofy, grimacing expression?
That’s the Flehmen response.
Dogs (and many other animals like horses and cats) have something called the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson's organ. It’s located in the roof of the mouth. When they find a particularly "interesting" smell—usually pheromones from another animal—they pull their lips back to direct those scent molecules toward that organ. It looks like a weird, intense smile. In reality, they are just doing some high-level chemistry analysis on who peed on that fire hydrant earlier.
Is it Just Certain Breeds?
Some breeds are just naturally "smilier" than others.
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- Samoyeds: They are literally nicknamed the "Sammy Smile." Their mouths naturally upturn to prevent drool from freezing on their faces in Arctic temperatures. Form meets function.
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers/Pit Bulls: These guys have very wide mouths and short coats, making their "smiles" look massive and incredibly human-like.
- Golden Retrievers: The kings of the relaxed, panting grin. They always look like they just heard a great joke.
- Greyhounds: Often do the "chatter," where they show teeth and vibrate their jaws when they're excited.
The Science of Laughter
Do dogs laugh? Kind of.
Animal behaviorist Patricia Simonet at Sierra Nevada College recorded dogs playing and noticed a specific type of forced, breathy exhalation. When she played these recordings back to dogs in a shelter, they calmed down. They started playing. It wasn't a vocal "ha-ha," but it was a distinct sound associated with positive social interaction.
When you combine that "dog laugh" breath with a funny dog face smile, you’re looking at a dog that is genuinely having the time of their life.
It’s easy to dismiss this as anthropomorphism—assigning human traits to animals. For a long time, scientists were very wary of saying "dogs feel happy." But the tide has turned. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist at Emory University, used MRI scans on awake dogs to see how their brains reacted to various stimuli. He found that the caudate nucleus (the part of the brain associated with rewards and positive emotions) lit up when dogs smelled their owners or received praise.
So, yeah. Your dog feels joy. And that smile is a physical manifestation of that internal state, even if it’s been slightly exaggerated by thousands of years of wanting your snacks.
How to Get the Best "Smile" Photos
If you’re trying to capture that perfect funny dog face smile for the 'gram, you can't just command it. Well, some people train a "show me your teeth" command, but for the natural look, you need a different approach.
First, get them moving. A dog that just finished a light game of fetch is going to be panting. That's your "base" smile.
Second, use high-value rewards. Hold a piece of chicken right above the camera lens. The anticipation often causes dogs to perk up their ears and brighten their "expression."
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Third, make weird noises. A high-pitched "woo-woo!" or a squeaky toy will often get that head tilt/smile combo that everyone loves.
Just remember: don't force it. If your dog is tired or annoyed, the photos will look stiff. The best smiles are the ones that happen when you’re just hanging out, doing nothing in particular.
The Takeaway on Canine Grins
We love the funny dog face smile because it bridges the gap between species. It makes us feel like they "get" us. And in many ways, they do. They might not understand the plot of the movie you’re watching, but they understand the vibe of the room.
If you want to see your dog smile more, the secret isn't a better camera or a specific treat. It's engagement. Dogs smile most when they are socially stimulated.
- Try new environments: Take them to a new trail where the smells are fresh.
- Play-bonding: Engage in "tug" or "hide and seek" to trigger those natural endorphins.
- Consistent Praise: Dogs thrive on knowing they've done a good job.
Next time you see your dog pull that ridiculous, toothy face, take a second to look at their eyes. If they’re soft and squinty, and the tail is thumping against the floor like a drumbeat, you’re witnessing one of the coolest cross-species communication tricks in history.
Don't worry about whether it's "technically" a human smile. If it makes you happy, and it makes them happy, it’s real enough.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Body: Before assuming a smile is "happy," check the tail and ears. A high, stiff tail with a smile might mean over-arousal or agitation.
- Rule out Dental Issues: If your dog is suddenly "smiling" or lifting their lip more than usual, and it seems accompanied by bad breath or pawing at the mouth, it might be pain rather than joy.
- Reward the Good Vibes: When your dog shows a relaxed, happy face, reinforce it with calm praise. This builds a positive feedback loop that reduces anxiety.