2026-01-12 15:29:05
German shepherds really do look pleased to see you — and now scientists say there is a reason why.
A new study has found that German shepherds and poodles have the happiest-looking faces of all dog breeds, thanks to their ability to use a wider range of facial muscles when playing.
By contrast, breeds such as beagles and shih tzus tend to appear far less cheerful, even when they are enjoying themselves.
The research set out to explore how thousands of years of domestication and selective breeding have shaped the way dogs communicate with their faces — both with humans and with each other.
Scientists were particularly interested in whether breeds with very different facial structures can still produce similar expressions.
To find out, researchers analysed video footage of 210 dogs from 29 popular breeds. Each animal was filmed while relaxed, playful and panting with its mouth open. The team then catalogued movements of individual facial muscles and muscle groups to see how expressive each breed appeared.
German shepherds and poodles topped the league table, using more facial muscles and showing what researchers described as a fuller, more exaggerated “play face”. Other breeds that scored highly included basset hounds, rottweilers, pitbulls and Czechoslovakian wolfdogs.
At the opposite end of the scale were bull terriers, Newfoundlands and akitas, whose faces showed fewer visible movements and appeared less joyful overall.
Dr. Veronica Maglieri, who led the analysis for the University of Pisa, said: “We found breeds like the poodle and German shepherd have a much more exaggerated, full version of the play face, whereas breeds like the beagle have a very subtle, minimal version.
“You could say, if you were telling a joke, the German shepherd would look as if it was laughing out loud, while the beagle would give just the faintest hint of a smile.
“It is very interesting to see how the different breeds we have created have varying facial expressions, as this is such a key way in which dogs communicate with themselves and us.”
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