Every dog owner is convinced their pet is the happiest and most cheerful in the world. But it turns out that the “happiness level” on a dog’s face can actually be measured — and scientists have done just that.
Rottweilers and Poodles Lead the Ranking
Ethologist Veronica Malgeri from the University of Pisa and her colleagues set out to explore how thousands of years of selective breeding have shaped dogs’ facial expressions. The team analyzed video recordings to observe how many facial muscles dogs use when displaying a relaxed, open-mouth expression — a universal signal of playful mood.
The researchers studied videos of 210 dogs representing 29 popular breeds and found that all dogs “smile,” though they do so in different ways. Wolf-like breeds, for example, can use up to three times more facial muscles for communication than other dogs.
“Poodles, German Shepherds, Basset Hounds, and Rottweilers used a greater number of facial muscle movements, creating more complex and expressive faces,” explains Dr. Malgeri. “Beagles and Jack Russell Terriers, on the other hand, showed a simpler version of the same signal.”
Dogs with flat faces, such as Pugs and French Bulldogs, have more limited facial mobility due to skull structure, yet they do not lag far behind other breeds.
The Happiest-Looking Dogs, According to Scientists
- Rottweiler
- Poodle
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Shiba Inu
- Border Collie
- German Shepherd
- Basset Hound
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Breeds With the “Happiest Eyes”
- Weimaraner
- Newfoundland
- Greyhound
- French Bulldog
- English Bulldog
- Doberman
The study also found that Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, Borzois, and Cocker Spaniels tend to look less cheerful, while Australian Shepherds, Beagles, Shar-Peis, and Jack Russell Terriers appeared the saddest.
Who Is Really Happier?
Researchers emphasize that facial expressiveness does not equal actual happiness. A German Shepherd is not necessarily happier than a Beagle — its “smile” is simply more noticeable to humans.
“As with humans, raised mouth corners and wrinkles around the eyes signal happiness,” says Dr. Malgeri. “When we see similar facial cues in animals, we instinctively interpret them as joy.”
She also notes that playful facial expressions are primarily meant for communication with other animals. The study showed that dogs even use them when playing with horses. “Horses react to these signals almost the same way humans respond to contagious laughter,” Malgeri adds.
From Wolf to Companion: How Humans Shaped Dogs
Humans domesticated wolves between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago, and since then dogs have become one of humanity’s most successful partnerships.
“Domestication likely happened passively,” explains Dr. Krishna Virama, associate professor at Stony Brook University. “More docile wolves lived near humans, feeding on scraps. Over time, a mutually beneficial relationship formed, leading to the emergence of hundreds of breeds.”
Living alongside humans for millennia has shaped dogs’ evolution, giving them the ability to communicate with us without words. Research shows that dogs consciously use facial expressions to convey emotions and intentions. So when you notice your dog “smiling,” remember — you’re witnessing the result of thousands of years of evolution.
