Toby's Growl - Video 1

[Len]

Greetings:

In a previous thread I asked about Toby's menacing growl. He's never bitten, never bares his teeth, and seems playful while he does this. Of course he's refusing to do it now, knowing that I will post it. For now, this is the best I can get from him:

. Normally it's much louder, deeper and sounds more threatening. I'll post again when I get a better recording.

Based only on this video, I expect most will reply that the growl is benign, like the purr of a cat. (Toby wouldn't appreciate the analogy.) I'll post again when I get a better recording.

Thanks -

Len

 

[M.F.]

That sounds just like my boy when he’s loving a good rub down. We grunt back at him!

Toby is lovely!

 

[Kelsey]

He sounds like he’s just a chatty dog. Both my dogs were/are like that. My boy now, Axel, will even moan and grown if I move around too much he is quite the princess.

Toby is very handsome!

 

[Atemas]

Toby is a dear . That growl sounds innocent to me but I appreciate it’s not what really concerns you. He seemed to respond to the cue ‘growl’

 

[snowbunny]

What a gorgeous boy
This does look and sound very conversational, but I appreciate it’s not quite what you are concerned about.

 

[Selina27]

Gorgeous dog.

I think he's just "talking" to you there

 

[Boogie]

Absolutely - it’s the equivalent of our ‘mmmmmmmm’ of pleasure - eg when we get a shoulder massage.

A warning growl comes from the mouth, round the palate and teeth area - a pleasure ‘growl’ comes from the throat. If you growl yourself in those two ways you’ll see what I mean.

I’ve just been doing it and Echo gave me a quizzical look!

 

[snowbunny]

One thing to look at is the corners of his mouth. See how where I've taken this screen-grab, his mouth is closed soft and "forward"? This is a sign of relaxation/play. When dogs are giving warnings, the muscles around the mouth tend to be much harder, and the corner often drawn back.

 

[Charlie]

What a great looking boy. He sounds just like my two during play such as tug or when I am on the floor scratching and cuddling them, also general 'chatter' xx

 

[MellowYellow]

What a lovely boy!

 

[Len]

One thing to look at is the corners of his mouth. See how where I've taken this screen-grab, his mouth is closed soft and "forward"? This is a sign of relaxation/play. When dogs are giving warnings, the muscles around the mouth tend to be much harder, and the corner often drawn back.

View attachment 11531

That's an interesting observation you've made about Toby's mouth. We've noted the same. When his growl is amped up, he looks relaxed, in every sense, but sounds annoyed. I'll post again when I get a better video. Thanks again for the observation.

Len