What do you think this dog is saying?

[Beanwood]

An interesting photo.....and a question in two parts, what does this expression say to you, can you describe what you see? Secondly, what would you do in this dogs presence?

 

[Atemas]

I think this dog is just looking - curious - his/her features look quite ‘soft’

I think I would talk to him/her and maybe stroke him/her

It’s quite difficult ‘reading’ a photo as you can only see the face/head so can’t pick up on body language

 

[Beanwood]

It’s quite difficult ‘reading’ a photo as you can only see the face/head so can’t pick up on body language

Absolutely. Context is everything when it comes to body language.

So, a bit more information...the dog is quite still. Would that change your approach do you think?

 

[Atemas]

Yes it would - it suggests he/she is on alert

 

[SwampDonkey]

Fixed hard stare pupils bigger than normal. I would avoid if I meet him on the park. Very still maybe unsure. Not a dog I would approach.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

This is precisely the look of dogs that Carbon is reactive to. So if I saw this dog, I'd pivot and take Carbon in the opposite direction.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Doggy equivalent of " did you spill my pint"

 

[HAH]

Doggy equivalent of " did you spill my pint"

I was thinking similar - “you said my mum’s a what...?”

 

[Stacia]

I can look at it two ways. My first reaction was to feel this dog could attack, the second that he was attentive, but his eyes lack that quizzical expression. I would need to see the dog in real life to make a correct decision as to what I would do in his presence.

 

[Joy]

I did wonder if he was staring hard at someone eating something and hoping to be given some. I think it's impossible to tell without a wider view.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I did wonder if he was staring hard at someone eating something and hoping to be given some. I think it's impossible to tell without a wider view.

Good point. That could be a "give me your sandwich now" face.

 

[SwampDonkey]

On my local parks I have to make quick decisions I would move away.

 

[Jacqui-S]

I thought the ears down and hard stare were potentially threatening.
I would look away and move slowly out of the way.
But.....seeing tail and movement would help.

 

[Natalie]

I don't think I ever get this close to a dog to view its expression and make a decision. If the other dog is off lead and moving towards us I now leave Monty off lead too ( assuming we are in relative close proximity, to give Monty the choice to move away)

If I saw this dog up close, and it was still, and I had a choice to put Monty on lead and avoid it, I would.

However, I think this is close to the body language that Monty can portray. He is still, although with tail wagging, sometimes an intense stare, weighing up whether to run towards/ wait/ or roll over another dog approaching him. No hint of aggression- all anticipation, a waiting and weighing up of what rewards an encounter with another dog might bring.

 

[Candy]

I think that dog's expression would make Joy anxious, particularly if they were both on lead, in which case I would immediately say 'This way!' very cheerily and we would about turn. If they were both off lead I would check both dogs' body language and make my decision from there. Joy would be likely to check in with me, stick quite close to me and scoot straight past. Interesting to think about and to hear what other people think.

 

[MrChew]

To me that dog looks tense or wary and I would probably keep my distance.

 

[VanillaBean]

Interesting interpretations on this.

In part it looks like he is uncomfortable with the camera pointing at him. Given that we can't see how near/far the lens and person is. I know Vanilla can give that look when she is not comfortable with a camera stuck in her face.

But at same time it is also a 'I am assessing the situation that is happening in front of me. I may like you but I will decide in a minute'

I actually would more talk to him and see what his reaction would be. I normally either 'blow a kiss' ask 'what's up' in a friendly voice. Depending on the reaction I would then decide to approach or not.

His ears aren't fully back, so I don't necessarily think he is aggressive or fear (yet), but your next move could decide how it transpires. But need to see whole body to make a full assessment.

 

[Boogie]

If I met him without a dog I’d make sure I looked away and didn’t meet his eyes.

If I met him with a dog I’d pop them on the lead and give him a wide berth.

To me he’s alert and ‘ready for anything’ not necessarily agressive but could easily switch to aggression.

 

[Beanwood]

Very interesting replies. The photo was taken from an old blog. The author had picked this photo out and given it a very different interpretation of expression compared to the original photographer, who arguably would have had more information about the context, if not any doggy body language experience. The author of the blog (who used the photo) is a well known canine blogger.

 

[FayRose]

So what was the photographer's interpretation @Beanwood and what was the blogger's? Can you say or is that not allowed?