- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dogs love to play! Whether it’s wrestling or chasing, they have lots of fun every day. But do they laugh while they play?
Yes, dogs do laugh! Dr. Hagar Hauser, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, says that when dogs play, they sometimes make a special sound like a laugh. It’s a strong breath out, kind of like a “dog laugh.”
In this article, we’ll help you recognize your dog’s laugh so you can understand your pup better and grow closer to them. Once you hear it, you’ll always notice it!
Why Do Dogs Laugh?
Dogs laugh to talk to their playmates while having fun. Research shows that dogs’ laughs are a special sound they only make during play.
Dr. Hauser says that dogs also make other sounds when they play, like:
Dr. Hauser says these play sounds are like panting or heavy breathing—short, rhythmic, low-pitched, and sometimes noisy.
What Does a Dog’s Laugh Sound Like?
So what exactly does a dog’s laugh sound like? Contrary to the famous saying, you won’t hear a dog “howling with laughter.” Instead, a dog’s laugh involves panting and sounds like a forced exhalation of breath.
A dog makes a “huh-huh” sound, similar to a human’s “hah-hah” sound.
To try to create the dog laugh sound yourself, follow these steps:
- Make an ‘O’ with your mouth.
- Completely cover your top teeth with your upper lip.
- Exhale in forced, short breaths.
- Make a “huh-huh” sounding exhale.
When you hear the “huh-huh” sound, this is your dog’s laugh and they’re communicating to you that they’re ready to play. Game on!
Do Dogs Understand When We Laugh?
Studies show that dogs are good at picking up on human gestures and learning what they mean. Research also shows that dogs can tell the difference between our emotions, like happiness and anger.
“When humans laugh, they show their teeth, which is in contrast to dogs who bare their teeth to indicate aggression or appeasement,” Dr. Hauser explains. “Dogs have likely paired the high-pitched laugh, smile, and change in eye positioning with showing of teeth as a positive emotion in humans.”
Dr. Hauser also says that dogs can match different emotions, like happy or playful vs. aggressive, with a single sound from a person. This suggests that dogs understand laughter as a positive emotion.
But do dogs know when we’re laughing at them? Right now, no research shows that dogs feel embarrassed when we laugh at them. Scientists are just starting to explore whether dogs can feel emotions like empathy or guilt, and early evidence suggests they might not.
Do Dogs Have a Sense of Humor?
Steve Dale, a certified animal behavior and pet expert for over 20 years, believes “some breeds are pranksters and have an unmistakable sense of humor.” He says that dogs can invent their own games. Some funny tricks he’s seen dogs do include:
- Hiding behind a sofa and then popping out
- Starting games of chase
- Stealing things like a shoe
But do dogs think these tricks are funny? Dr. Hauser says that teasing as a form of humor has been seen in apes. However, it’s hard to tell if a dog is trying to make us laugh or if they’re playing these “teasing” games to get our attention.
Unlike emotions like fear or joy, a dog’s sense of humor is harder to understand. There’s little research on it, and experts don’t always agree.
However, some dog behaviorists think that when dogs play tricks on their pet parents, it shows they might have a sense of humor.
iStock/Kosamtu
Which Dog Breeds Are The Funniest?
Some humans are just born funny; the same applies to our dogs! Through his experience, Dale has noticed that some dog breeds are funnier than others. These funny breeds include:
- French Bulldog
- Havanese
- Boxer
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Siberian Husky
- Dachshund
- Beagle
- Miniature & Toy Poodles
Even if your pup doesn’t know they’re being funny, there’s no doubt that their goofy actions often make us laugh out loud!
Why Is a Dog’s Sense of Humor Important?
Why does it matter if dogs have a sense of humor? The reason is simple. Understanding what dogs are thinking and feeling helps us care for and love them even more, says Jessica Pierce, Ph.D., a bioethicist and author.
Dr. Pierce encourages people to watch their dogs and see if they’re trying to be funny. She also suggests finding new and fun ways to play with them. “If people are invited to play with their dogs more and find new, interesting games they can engage with their dogs in, that’s wonderful,” she says. “Maybe we can make our dogs laugh, too—just like they make us laugh.”
