How do we read dogs’ facial expressions? Study sheds light on how species interpret each other’s emotions

The interpretation of emotions plays a crucial role in the interaction between humans and dogs, but very little research has been done on how different species interpret each other’s facial expressions. It has been especially unclear which parts of the face each species focuses on during encounters.

In the study conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Plymouth, a comparison was made of where adult humans and dogs focus their gaze when shown happy, aggressive, and neutral faces of both dogs and humans. Eye tracking technology was used to aid in the observations.

“Our results show that the eyes play a key role in recognising emotions within the same species, while the mouth provides important cues in communication between species,” says postdoctoral researcher Heini Törnqvist. “Exploring these mechanisms will deepen our understanding of how gestures and facial expressions are perceived across species.”

Eyes are key but the mouth provides interspecies cues

Both humans and dogs were more attentive to emotional faces more than they were to neutral ones. When the focus was on the same species, attention was particularly directed to the eye area.

In interspecies situations, the gaze shifted more frequently to the mouth area. Both species gazed at the mouths of aggressive dogs more than those of angry humans, while the mouths of happy humans were gazed at more than those of happy dogs.

According to the findings, the mouth area provides important cues for recognising emotional states across species.

Gaze guided by threat signals and strong facial expressions

Detecting threats is vital for both dogs and humans, and the area around the eyes is particularly important for recognising negative emotions within the same species. In interspecies situations, however, direct gaze into angry eyes was avoided.

Both species focused on strong facial expressions, such as a dog’s exposed teeth or a human’s wide smile, suggesting a similar visual processing of signals in both humans and dogs.

The study is part of the BEST research project (2021–2026), funded by the Research Council of Finland, which investigates the interaction between humans and dogs from a multidisciplinary perspective. The research article will be published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology.