Puppy doesn’t smile

[Powertothepetal]

He seems perfectly happy, his little tail goes crazy wagging when he sees any of us, he plays with his toys, he is comfortable enough to sleep on his back on my lap.

But he never smiles.
His mouth is always closed.
The older dog is always smiling!

Is this normal?

Yes it's normal! Dogs don't smile!!

Your other dog probably looks like he's smiling because he's panting. Not every dog pants a lot.

Dogs absolutely do smile ! I have tonnes of photos of my dog smiling. It will come @Powertothepetal.

I read that dogs smile and that they learn it from humans! Maybe he just needs more time to learn? Or maybe you need better jokes.

Yeah, some dogs don't, as long as all the normal signs of happiness are there he's okay.

Dogs generally don't smile, but I did meet a Dalmatian which did. Freaked us out a bit as it came running up to us baring it's teeth, but the owner said he's ok, he's smiling at you!

Dogs generally don't smile, but I did meet a Dalmatian which did
Ah, not a submissive smile or similar but just a relaxed, open mouthed expression that looks like a smile.
All the dogs I’ve known have had that characteristic smiling face, but he doesn’t.

My old Patterdale didn't have a doggy "smile" - she was just too tense and anxious to make that facial shape even when panting, although she did pull her lips back to greet us with her front teef.

My border terrier though...always smiling.

I'm sure it will come in time or maybe not, I have 3 Dalmatians and my boy has smiled only at my DH the wee turncoat! I get a half arsed lip curl, he does give amazing wiggles and paw punches to me though so I'll let him off.
Both my girls smile both baring their teeth and the youngest an open mouth one when out walking and she's having a good time. X

Dalmatians have their own weird (sweet, but weird) smile...

But the other kind of smile - some dogs just do a smiley sort of face more than others I think.

My dog only looks like he's smiling when he's run really hard.

Not all dogs "smile" and in some it can even be a sign of heatstroke.

My puppy smiles - this is my daughter rubbing his tummy (and him loving it )

I do think it very much depends on the breed and shape of the mouth, you can't beat a Staffie smile for instance.

If a dog is happy, then the smile really doesn't matter.

My dog has always smiled it's just the shape of her muzzle, longish and slightly wolf like.

I think it's also in the eyes as well. Some dogs have very smiley eyes, some don't.

Doesn't mean the ones without smiley eyes aren't happy.

It's debatable whether they're actually smiling anyway.

Although, having said that, I'm sure my dog smirked today after she managed to get hold of a small amount of the cat poo that I've managed to stop her eating when we've been out on our walks for the last three day.

I swear she looked up at me, lick her nose and lips and smirked as we walked on.

One staffie smile

Send it back immediately, it’s clearly broken . One of our labs doesn’t smile - she’s a grumpy madam.

RoseDog

Yep, that's what I mean.

My dog smiles in the butcher’s. Also when returning from a trip to the park - looks up at me like “that was good fun!”… particularly if he’s been off lead and misbehaving.

You’re anthropomorphising. A happy animal may relax their muscles and if that’s combined with a natural upward tilt to the mouth, it can look as if they’re smiling. The same facial expression, in a different dog and under different circumstances could also indicate anxiety or submission.

Didn't know dogs smiled 🤣🤣🤣. Wow 🤦🏻‍♀️

‘Maybe he needs better jokes’ grin