July 12, 2024, 9:21 am | Read time: 4 minutes
If we find something funny or have fun, we laugh. Some animal species, such as primates, also show similar behavior. But what about our “best friend”? Can dogs laugh too? Behavioral biologist and PETBOOK editor Saskia Schneider reveals the answer.
Laughter is innate to us humans. Even babies exhibit this emotional expression and reciprocate it. Laughter is contagious. Some animal species, especially primates, exhibit behaviors quite similar to human laughter. But what about our pets? Can dogs laugh too?
What is laughter?
We associate laughter primarily with a spontaneous utterance in any number of variations, such as “ha-ha” or “ho-ho”. However, according to the scientific definition, laughter is characterized not only by vocalizations but also by a burst-like exhalation. The latter is also found in dogs.
Our four-legged friends can even produce a sound similar to a “hhuh-hhah” by panting vigorously. In contrast to our often loud and extensive laughter, that of dogs is not always so clearly audible.
Dogs laugh in these situations
Dogs usually make this sound when playing to encourage people or other dogs to join in. In behavioral research, this behavior is also referred to as “play-panting”.
The dog’s facial expression looks like a broad smile: the mouth is open so that the tongue can be seen and the corners of the mouth extend towards the ears. Play panting often occurs simultaneously with the lowering of the front body (a play invitation), but it can also happen independently.
In your own dog, this behavior is best observed in playful situations, such as playing in the park with other dogs. My dog Yumi “laughs” mainly when playing ball or when she wants me to hide her favorite stuffed animal.
Do dogs have a sense of humor?
We humans mainly laugh when we find something funny. But what about dogs? They show “laughter” in connection with members of the same species or people. This is an important difference because we humans can also start laughing without the presence of others, for example, when we remember something funny.
It is difficult to say whether dogs are can find something funny. Play panting appears to be primarily an invitation: The laughter is intended to entice other dogs, or even humans, to join in the play.
Do some dogs laugh more than others?
Over millennia, dogs have been selectively bred so that many breeds today remain behaviorally juvenile even into adulthood. As a result, they exhibit youthful behavior, such as social play, even in old age. However, there are major differences between breeds in this respect.
According to a study by behavioral researchers Dr. Benjamin Hart and Lynnette Hart from the University of California, the following dog breeds are considered to be particularly “playful”: Irish Setters, English Springer Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers and Golden Retrievers. Since laughter is primarily exhibited during playful interactions, it’s more likely that these breeds laugh more frequently than less playful breeds. In the study, these included the Samoyed, the Bulldog, the Basset Hound and the Chihuahua.
Do dogs understand when we laugh?
Dogs can recognize and correctly interpret human emotions such as sadness or happiness. This was evident in a study by a team of Hungarian researchers from Eötvös Loránd University, who examined the brain activity of dogs using MRI. The scientists discovered that dogs also have special areas in their brains to understand dog barking and human voices.
The study concluded that dogs and humans process social information similarly. The more positive the sound, such as laughter, the stronger the reaction. Dogs, therefore, recognize our laughter as an expression of a positive mood. However, it is unclear whether they also understand the context – i.e. the reason why we are laughing. Especially when we laugh at something because we find it funny.
Laughter reduces stress – even in dogs
Laughter has many effects on us humans. Among other things, it can defuse tense situations and reduce stress. Laughter also has a similar effect on dogs. US researchers discovered this in a 2005 study. They played various recordings of fellow dogs in an animal shelter, including “dog laughter”.
According to the researchers, when the dogs in the shelter listened to recordings of other laughing dogs, their stress levels were visibly reduced. In addition, the animals showed increased social behaviors such as approaching other dogs.
Conclusion: Dogs laugh too, but differently to us humans
So dogs can laugh too. But in a different way to us humans. One thing they have in common, however, is that laughter is an expression of joy. Therefore, dogs not only react when other dogs laugh, they also interpret our laughter as something positive.
It remains unclear, however, whether dogs have learned to accurately interpret our laughter through cohabitation, or if this behavior has developed as a result of selective breeding.
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