Does your dog growl at you but in a friendly way?

[Koalafications]

DDog seems to communicate to us through 'growling'. It's not aggressive (that's a very different type of growl from her) but it's like she's talking in a growly manner.

So when we rub her belly she makes this kind of growly noise. When we come home and see her she growls for the first few minutes, but is trying to lick us etc so we know she's happy.There's no raised lips which is a clear sign from her that she is pissed off with whatever we have done.

I've not read about other peoples dogs doing this so I'm starting to wonder if she's a bit odd. Sometimes it's bloody annoying when I'm watching TV and she comes over for a cuddle and a belly rub and she spends the first 5 minutes growling and I can't hear the bloody TV!

[tabulahrasa]

Yes, it's pretty common, especially in some breeds...it's a low grumble rather than a growl, mine does it when he plays as well.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

One of mine does, one of mine doesn't. It's sort of like a low rumbling grrrrrrrrrrrr

[OttiliaVonBCup]

It's like a big purr, usually when we play.

[Koalafications]

Yes, that's exactly it Ottilia it's more like a cat purring. And DDog is more cat than dog.

I was just getting a bit because when she does it to family (on the rare occasion she actually lets anyone who doesn't live here give her affection) she makes this noise and they panic thinking shes going to bite them!

I can tell the difference in the sounds she makes though, it's really obvious when she's pissed off.

[exLtEveDallasNoBollocks]

RottDog used to do this and MuttDog barks at any new visitor scaring them to death but her tail is wagging saying hello

I think it's very common in Rotts, and I'd definitely describe it as purring rather than growling. I've heard collies do it as well, and GSDs do a weird light howl when happy.

I like vocal dogs [smile[

[OttiliaVonBCup]

It's very different from a growl, the body language and the sound. DDog1 is unmistakably happy when he purrs.
DDog2 never does it.

You need to know the dog.

[Koalafications]

Yes, that's the hard bit for them Ottilia they don't know her all that well so are slightly nervous of her making any noise.

LtEve I love rotties My DDog is a Shih Tzu. She doesn't bark, unless someone rings the doorbell and then she just hopes that it's my DM coming to visit (her favourite person) if it's anyone else she climbs up our legs begging to be picked up and taken away from the scary strangers!

[insanityscatching]

Yes Eric growls, although purr probably describes it better, when he's happy with his lot. He's a shih tzu cross so maybe it's in the breed.
Eric's a really chatty dog so whines, harrumphs, yips, growls, snorts throughout the day to let us know what he wants. Like your dog he barks when someone comes to the door but any other noises he makes are totally different.

[hunibuni]

My boy makes a sound that can only be described as Ru-Ru-ing when he sees me (and only me ) along with rumbles when he's being stroked but he's very chatty with DD and it can look like they are having a conversation. My girl just likes to head butt you in the direction she wants you to go!

Neither of them actually bark that often so when they do it can make you jump lol In fact my boy loves to put his head around the door and bark when you least expect it and he looks like he's grinning when you jump. Apparently the chattiness can be an Akita trait and he has been byy far the most vocal dog that I've had.

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

"I think it's very common in Rotts, and I'd definitely describe it as purring rather than growling. I've heard collies do it as well, and GSDs do a weird light howl when happy."

Mine does it, he's a rottie/collie cross. He does it when he's playing, or someone comes home, or when he needs to tell me something and I'm not paying enough attention. It's definitely not aggressive, just his way of talking to us.

[myusernameisusername]

yes when she is playing rough with us she growls play bites and snaps but stops as soon as we think she is getting to rambunctious and goes and lies down for a bit totally normal

[Madbengalmum]

My Akita, grumbles and is quite vocal, and if we have been away she squeels with excitement! The rest of the time she is extremely quiet.

[SistersofPercy]

My Mums Shih Tzu sounds like a wookie when he talks, its really funny. I've had 2 scotties, both of whom did/do a low grumble noise and speak when excited. Some people do mistake it for aggression but its very much an 'oi! I'm here, give me a fuss!'

[QueenFuri]

I've a collie x with a gsd and he grumbles it sounds like a rawr rawr when your petting him or he has his toys. He also makes a cat like ke noise when he wants out

[moosemama]

My younger lad definitely purrs, but the older one has a full Wookie style repertoire and is often called Chewbacca as a result - either that or gets treated to a chorus of 'Chewbacca - what a Wookie!' from dh and the dcs.

He also says "Oh Mom!" if he thinks I'm not doing what he wants fast enough!

[Bassetfeet]

My old collie used to grumble a lot if she couldn't be bothered with disturbing.
Very different to a growl . Just oh heck leave me alone please . So we did .

[ggirl]

My tibetan terrier is very vocal, she has all sorts of different pitched growls and weird noises. It's not easy to read her body language cos of the hair but I know the different meanings .

[Cassie258]

My rottie does this. It could be down to the purring type thing but I actually think it's due to us having an older mutt and he'd grumble every time rott dog decided to spoon with him he literally used to lie behind him and put his arm around him and I think rott dog thought it was a sign of affection. He's very clever in some ways but also like a big bouncer that's incredibly cheerful and stupid.

[icclemunchy]

Our staff "sings" when excited. When next door moved in they came round to check she was ok lol

The lab cross just has a weird back though

[ladybird69]

My Lab growls/purrs with happiness bless him and when he gets super excited he chatters his teeth together, funny old fella. I luffs my dog.

[SconessMcFloness]

My whippet does it to say hello, when he is very pleased to see someone and when playing with a toy and he's particularly excited...it's a lovely noise because he only does it when he's very very happy. My old lab used to do it too!

[SconessMcFloness]

Yep more like a chewbacca sound.