Researchers say that some scarier breeds actually have the happiest looking faces, with German Shepherds and Rottweilers topping the list. This is because these more wolf-like dogs can use more facial muscles to create their expressions, and so appear happier to humans, experts said. The researcher then carefully analysed videos of 210 dogs, representing 29 popular breeds, and catalogued the movement of different muscles and muscle groups. Dr Maglieri says: 'Breeds such as Poodles, German Shepherds, Basset Hounds and Rottweilers tended to use a larger number of facial muscle movements during play. Meanwhile, the especially glum-looking Beagle could only use two muscle groups: The lower lip depressor and the mouth stretch.

Source: Daily Mail January 17, 2026 18:48 UTC