Do Dalmatians Smile?

Soon after we acquired Katy she approached me with her lips curled back, showing her teeth, her face wrinkled, and her eyes all crinkly. Fortunately she was simultaneously wagging her tail. "Kerry, come look at Katy," I yelled. "Snarly face!"

This is how I learned that Dalmatians are smilers. This cross between a smile and snarl is referred to as a smarl, a unique trait to all Dalmatians. The Dalmatian is the only breed that has the necessary facial muscles to smile when they are happy. If a person has not seen a smarl before, it can be a scary experience if mistaken to be a snarl, but generally it is a sign of affection. Dalmatians smile when they are happy by pulling back the corners of their lips and baring their teeth. If the Dalmatian is especially happy and relaxed, it will smarl and then close its eyes. Don't make the mistake of confusing the smarl with a snarl. If the Dalmatian has its mouth pulled back, showing its back teeth, is growling, and not wagging its tail, it is most likely snarling and should not be approached.

A smarl can also be strategy on a Dalmatian's part if they've been naughty. The Dalmatian figures no one can get mad at a grinning dog and will smarl if being scolded, or sensing they are about to be reprimanded. Several years ago we were preparing for a long road trip and were outside at six in the morning loading the truck. Knowing something was up, Katy kept disappearing down the back alley, returning when we called, running up the driveway, wagging her tail with a smarl on her face. We drove across the border and stopped at an all night grocery store to load up on some provisions. We had beaded seat covers on the truck seats to make it more comfortable for driving. In the ten minutes that we were in the store, Katy had spent time in the driver's seat chewing off some of the beads, leaving gaps that made the seat rather uncomfortable. "Did you do that?" we asked her, and she answered with a ferocious smarl and wagging tail.

Dalmatians smile when they are happy especially during playtime or grinning at their owners when they return home. I used to keep a collection of stuffed animals on my bed. One day I returned from work and Katy had taken them all off the bed and lined them up at the door to greet me. "Did you do this?" I asked her, and was rewarded with a smarl.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic