This Dalmatian’s Toothy Grin Has Millions Smiling Back – But Do Dogs Really Smile?
While most dogs lack the expressive faces of humans, some break the mold. Meet Grey, a Dalmatian whose dazzling smile has made him a viral sensation. With over 600K TikTok followers (@greythedalmatian), millions of users are charmed by his joyful videos and heartwarming grin.
Grey has a one-of-a-kind smile that’s rare among dogs—he scrunches his nose to reveal all his front teeth, creating a look that’s both hilarious and adorable. In a recent TikTok video, his owner dives into the details of his now-famous grin.
The Beginning of The Famous Smile
The viewers get to know from the video that Grey learned to smile like that when he was just about 3 months old. As a puppy, he started with doing nose scrunchies whenever his dog mom got him out of his crate because he was so excited to see her and wished to get tasty treats from her.
@greythedalmatian Have you seen a dog smile before? #dogsoftiktok #dalmatiansoftiktok #dogsmile ♬ original sound – Grey the Dalmatian
When Grey matured, his parent would catch him smiling all the time. His playful nose scrunches evolved into a full-fledged smile, complete with a toothy grin that he now proudly shows off to the world.
With 9.4 million views and 1.3 million likes, the video has certainly gained popularity. In addition, thousands of TikTok users have shared their love for the Dalmatian in the comments section. Angie commented, “This dog made my day🥰”. Meanwhile, another user, wrote, “Showing off those pearly whites. Adorable.”
Sweetheart Behind the Viral Grin
Grey’s smile has turned him into an internet celebrity but in real life, he gets mixed reactions. While some find it extremely cute, there have been instances where people have mistakenly assumed Grey is unfriendly due to his smile. The dog’s parent recalls an incident where the dog adorably greeted a delivery man with his wide grin, but it ended up scaring him off.
Thus, the dog mom assures the viewers that Grey doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He is the sweetest dog and loves meeting all humans and most dogs. Whether he’s making people laugh online or spreading joy in real life, this Dalmatian’s smile is a reminder that true beauty comes in all forms—sometimes with a few extra teeth showing.
Do Dogs Smile?
Watching Grey the Dalmatian’s unusual smile, many people must be thinking the question, “Can dogs smile?” Let’s explore what the dog experts have to say about this.
As per veterinarian Sandra C. Mitchell, although most behaviorists distinguish between canine facial expressions and genuine smiles, dogs exhibit various “smile-like” behaviors, including wide-mouth panting, relaxed tongue exposure, and submissive grins. Even toothbaring, often indicative of aggression, can be misinterpreted.
Dr. Mitchell says, “However, most of the time when dogs smile, they are indeed happy, so it’s easy to relate that expression to human smiles.” Thus, if you have ever had questions like “Can dogs really smile,” and “Can a dog smile,” the answer is yes, they can.
A Reddit user, u/noggin-scratcher, answers the question of can dogs actually smile by writing, “Not in the human sense of pulling their mouth up at each corner – I don’t think they have their facial muscles arranged that way. But a happy/relaxed /content dog will sometimes have its mouth slightly open in a way that looks sort of smile-like; enough for our anthropomorphizing interpretations to latch onto.”
Why Do Dogs Smile?
The canine smile is attributed to evolution and dogs’ exceptional ability to interpret human behavior. By exhibiting smile-like expressions, dogs elicit positive responses, such as affection, verbal praise, or treats, reinforcing this behavior.
“Genetically, this behavior may come from neoteny, which means when animals become domesticated, they retain some behaviors from puppyhood in adulthood. This includes emotional greetings, jumping, tail-wagging, licking, and yes—the adorable canine smile,” notes Dr. Mitchell.
Why do dogs smile with teeth?
Dogs showing their teeth is usually associated with being hostile. However, according to dog behaviorist, Amy Bender, “Occasionally, a dog bares his teeth without any aggressive tendencies behind it. This is referred to as a submissive grin or a smile.”
The submissive grin in dogs is often accompanied by non-threatening body language, including lip licking, an averted gaze, relaxed posture, and laid-back ears. This expression serves as an appeasement gesture, intended to calm tense situations.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to consider individual variations. For some pets, the submissive grin may signal stress and anxiety rather than submission. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay attention to your pet’s body posture and behavior closely, even if they’ve shown this expression before.
How Do I Teach My Dog To Smile?
Many dog owners would love nothing more than their furry friends to smile during the family portraits. Teaching your dog to smile can be achieved by following these steps according to Hepper:
- Observe: Watch for moments when your dog shows their teeth naturally, like excitement or playfulness.
- Reward: Use triggers (e.g., keys, treats) to elicit smiling, then praise and reward.
- Repeat: Consistently pair “smile” with rewards.
- Be Consistent: Schedule daily training sessions (10-15 minutes).
- Refine: Gradually phase out rewards as your dog learns.
Moreover, you can take the help of a dog trainer to teach your dog cool tricks including doing a goofy or toothy smile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can dogs smile when they are happy?
Yes, dogs can smile when happy. Animal behavior specialist, Dr. Lore Haug, asserts that dogs smile by pulling back their lips and showing teeth, often accompanied by greeting behaviors like approaching, wagging their tails, or whining, indicating “active submission,” which is akin to meaning the dog is happy.
Can dogs laugh or smile?
Yes, dogs can smile but laughing is another matter. According to dog experts at Purina, animal behaviorists debate whether dogs laugh. While they can’t laugh like humans, dogs make a breathy, panting sound during play, often inviting humans and other dogs to join in. These are known as dog play pants.
Can dogs smile like humans?
Dogs don’t mimic human smiles, but they learn to associate smiling with positive reactions. Seeing a smiling owner triggers them to smile, creating a contagious happiness cycle. This phenomenon, similar to laughter contagion, releases oxytocin, fostering a joyful interaction between humans and dogs.
Can a dog smile at you?
Yes, dogs can smile at you! Dr. Haug claims dogs exhibit smiling behavior as an appeasement gesture, specifically directed only towards humans, indicating affection and seeking connection.
