Social Question

ZEPHYRA's avatar

Does your dog look sad even though it shouldn't really be?

Asked by ZEPHYRA (21750points) May 14th, 2014

Do some dogs just look that way because of their expression when in actual fact they don’t have a reason to be sad? I know cases where the dogs in question are treated like humans, get to go out, have the best of everything but still look sad. Do you have experience of this?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

11 Answers

GloPro's avatar

Like this little guy?

Or any of these?

If I had a sad looking dog he’d get fat because I’d stuff him with treats trying to make him happy.

Cruiser's avatar

She used to before we adopted her.

Dan_Lyons's avatar

The name Basset Hound comes immediately to mind.

LornaLove's avatar

Perhaps you are sad @ZEPHYRA and projecting onto your dog? If so, here’s a big hug!

marinelife's avatar

You can’t tell how a dog is feeling by his facial expression. Instead watch his tail. He will let you know if he is sad.

My dog is part hunting dog, he has melting brown eyes in a gray and black face and just judged on human facial expression he would be said to look sad. But he is one of the happiest dogs I know. He even wags his tail in his sleep!

Dutchess_III's avatar

@Cruiser Ahhhh. What a DARLING little puppy!

When we got Dakota she was already 2 years old and hadn’t been in the best environment. The guy who gave her to us had bought her, and tried and tried to train her to be a vicious guard dog. She is too gentle and intelligent for that and it really stressed her out. He deemed her to be a “failure” and just gave her to us. She went from an 8 X 10 concrete and wire kennel to the lake and sleeping in a water bed. That didn’t exactly help at first! She was kind of dazed and confused for the first couple of days.
But then, this light slowly started coming into her eyes and her whole expression changed.
Yes, I believe you can see worry, fear and stress in a dog’s expression. I can see when she’s being mischievous toward our other dog, getting ready to tease her!

Dutchess_III's avatar

Oh, wait. That wasn’t exactly the question. Well, St. Bernards tend to look a little depressed because their faces droop.

rojo's avatar

Only when I put him out when I leave. So I guess he does, technically, have a reason to be sad.

Skaggfacemutt's avatar

@gailcalled You are so right. People do this all the time. They think their cat is coming to greet them because he loves them (not really, he just wants to see if you will feed him). And the cat sleeps on your feet because he loves you (no, he likes your body heat). My cat rubs his face all over mine (he wants to be scratched). Yes, it’s fun to enjoy your pets, but if you could see into their brains, you would probably only see the pursuit of basic needs.

Dutchess_III's avatar

I agree about cats, @Skaggfacemutt. However, I firmly believe dogs are a different story. When Rick is packing his bags for an overnight stay, Dakota sulks on her bed in the corner of the bedroom. She doesn’t snap out of it till he comes home. She is obviously glad to see him.
She does the same thing when I leave.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.
Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther