Low rumbling growl when wanting petting

[GoodMorningMissBliss]

I have a gorgeous 15 month old sprocker/beagle mix and I wondered if anyone else’s dog does the same as mine. When he’s been snoozing, either overnight or if we’ve popped out (so he’s been alone for a bit), and one of us comes in to see him, he will wag his tail, roll on his back and make a low rumbling growling sound. He’s always done it, so nothing new, but is getting more frequent recently. At first we thought it meant he wasn’t happy, so we backed off, but over time it seems that he is actually happy to see us and wants petting (he has relaxed body language and waggy tail), so I’m wondering if it’s like a cat purring and it’s just his way of letting us know he’s happy? I’ve never heard a dog do this before!

Just to add, it’s not that we go and wake him up, he will look at us, and either come over to us or roll on his back for a belly rub and wag his tail when he’s making the rumbling noise. I can’t really describe it well, but not a snarl or play growl, it’s lower and longer.

My sisters dog does this. I think it's the doggie version of purring.
There's difference between an angry warning growl and rumbling.

I've never known a dog do this at all and I walk a lot of dogs!

That being said if he's always done it's and never escalated into anything then it may just be one of those things

@thelobsterquadrille He’d never do it on a walk or when he’s fully awake and alert, more when he’s not long woken up or been chilling for a bit on his own. It’s only with those of us in the house too. Anyone else he’ll just wag his tail and potter over to say hello. May be it’s just his strange quirk! 😆

@megletthesecond Good to hear it’s not just my pup! It’s definitely a different noise to a play growl or an excited growl.

Just noticed the pics didn’t attach. Will try again.

@thelobsterquadrille No, never escalated into anything, (apart from rolling for more belly rubs!) Had not thought of it like that. If he was unhappy I’m sure he’d let us know and he could easily just walk away from us.

Beagles and their mixes can just be a bit odd I think 🤣

I have a beagle myself and he's definitely quirky compared to other dogs 🙈🤣

😂 He’s definitely quirky! Sometimes so smart, sometimes not so much…

My dog does this has whole conversations via low growls, he's just having a chat. It's not remotely aggressive although it can be startling for people who haven't experienced this and it can be misconstrued. I'm old, always had dogs but this is the only one who's done this.

My dog does this. I wouldn’t call it a growl though… more a rumble?

My dog (RIP) used to grumble when he wanted anything.
He was a great dog

My golden retriever boy does this, we call it grumbling. It's usually when he's looking for attention/pets

My dog does a kind of wheezy grunt purr when being stroked and cuddled.I took him to the vet as a pup as I was concerned and the vet said this can be a dogs way of expressing happiness.

@GoodMorningMissBliss yep, I know what what you mean 🤣 some days I think he's super smart and other days he walks into doors 🙈

Here he is being he usual weird self!

@Howmanysleepsnow Yes, I don’t think I’m explaining it well. It would be easier if I could just post a video clip 😆 I’ve just played a clip back to myself as he’s fast off, dreaming about chasing squirrels or pigeons, and it sounds like someone snoring loudly, if that makes sense.

@newnamethanks He is a very talkative dog, so he’s probably doing the same with this!

Thanks everyone, I think I got a bit worried this evening as he was really going for it, but if I stopped stroking him he stopped rumbling and looked up as if to say ‘why did you stop?!’ And then when I started stroking him again he started making the sound again. I’m going to take it as he was just very happy! I’ve always been around dogs and everyone round here has dogs, but just never experienced this before.

@thelobsterquadrille oh he’s just lovely! Mines adopted a similar position right now!

Our dog (a saluki cross) does this. It sounds a bit like purring. He does little grunts and rumbles and it's definitely when he is happy.

Woken up to his tummy on display and little (although quite loud!) rumbles again this morning. 😊 It’s nice to hear that other dogs do the same when they are happy. Thanks for the replies everyone.

Ahhh he sounds lovely! I had thought of asking the vet about it when he’s next in, so it’s good to hear that yours said positive things.

Also have a saluki cross who does this!

My goldie does a low rumble (sounds like a growl) and several “sneezes” when we have visitors, he’s just really excited, which can alarm people, but he’s just very friendly and wants to get in on the greeting. His version of a cat’s purr I think, not aggressive at all.

Our old dog used to do this. It was nerve wracking when he was a youngster as he had a rough background and we were always very wary but we learned over time it was just his way of saying stroke me please.

My parents Jack Russell curls up her lip when you stroke her in a certain place, it looks scary but but again it’s just her little quirks

Dogs are weird.

My dog has a chatty growl that I still find a bit disconcerting and she grumbles if dd stops petting her or she wants to play. She's never aggressive so I think she's just telling us what she wants!

My dog did this too. I think she learnt it from the cats!

My Rottie does this - we call it his purr 😻

Thank you!

and here is my purring cuddle bunny. 🥰

My golden retriever girl does this, it's so cute and we know when she's looking for attention.

Like you say op, body language tells you a lot and if they are relaxed, showing you their belly etc then it's fine.

Gorgeous pup btw!