As IZ reports with reference to Psychology Today, dogs are able to express their emotions, but they do not do it in the same way as humans. In particular, their physiological facial structure with limited flexibility of the lips and muscles leads to the fact that dogs have only a few key facial expressions. One of them, which often occurs, is the expression when the dog opens its mouth slightly and its tongue appears to be sticking out of its mouth. Such an expression indicates that the dog feels calm and content, and this is the closest analogue to a smile in humans. In addition, this expression is accompanied by body language, which further enhances the feeling that the dog is in a comfortable state.
Physiologically, dogs cannot have the same flexibility in facial expressions as humans because of the structure of their lips and muscles. The strong muscular structure provides strength, but limits the ability to express emotions through various nuances in facial movements. As a result, dogs can only express a limited number of emotions, and most of them can be identified by such obvious signs as an open mouth and a visible tongue. This expression, similar to a human smile, indicates that the dog is happy and calm.
Another important point is the fact that this expression is not only a physical one, but also a social signal that dogs use to interact with people and other animals. A relaxed dog face with an open mouth is a signal that the animal is not a threat and is ready for social interaction. This allows a person to recognize whether the dog is friendly and calm, or perhaps feeling tense or anxious. As a result of research, it became known that most people easily recognize this expression and perceive it as a sign that the dog does not pose a danger.
Historically, this expression of dogs has been known for a long time. For example, in ancient Egypt and Mesoamerica, toys in the form of dogs with open mouths and visible tongues were made, which symbolized their joy. This image remained popular for centuries and became part of the cultural heritage, indicating that people in different cultures intuitively understood that dogs are able to express emotions through their faces. Modern scientific research supports this observation, indicating that this facial expression is a natural and important aspect of dogs' emotional communication.
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