Dogs may be better at understanding human emotions than previously thought, with researchers finding evidence that they can distinguish between different facial expressions.
Scientists from the University of Vienna used machine learning to analyse brain scans of 12 border collies while the dogs viewed images of human faces showing different emotions.
The findings provide direct evidence that dogs read emotions in human faces and respond differently to positive and negative expressions.
Happy faces trigger strongest response
Researchers found that areas of the dogs’ brains associated with higher cognitive functions and reward processing, including the temporal cortex and caudate nucleus, were activated only when the animals viewed images of happy strangers.
The same regions did not show a response when the dogs were shown angry, fearful or sad faces.
The researchers also analysed activity across the dogs’ entire brains and identified distinct patterns associated with different negative emotions.
The study’s authors said the findings provide evidence that dogs can distinguish between at least two different negative human facial expressions.
Dogs distinguish fear, anger and sadness
The researchers found that the dogs’ brain activity could differentiate fear from anger and sadness.
They suggested that the findings indicate the canine brain separates human facial expressions according to whether they convey positive or negative emotions.
Senior author Laura Cuaya said dogs have evolved alongside humans to understand their expressions and cooperate with them, adding that recognising this ability could influence how people communicate with and care for dogs.
Further research planned
The researchers plan to examine how dogs combine facial expressions with other cues, including body language, changes in voice and scent, when interpreting human emotions.
The study, published in the journal iScience, also highlights several limitations.
The research involved only 12 border collies, a breed known for being particularly skilled at responding to social cues. The dogs were also shown static images rather than moving faces.
All 12 participants were pets from loving homes, meaning dogs raised in different environments could respond differently to human emotional cues.
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