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Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them

theatlantic.com

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Re: Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them

#2

Post by NeedMoreTea »

Dogs' eyes don't generally look sad, especially if they're quizzically raising one eyebrow. Why change the title from the much more interesting, and accurate original?

"Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them"

I was actually expecting a dire clickbait sort of article, when it actually turns out to be substantive and interesting.

Re: Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them

#3

Post by taneq »

They're talking a lot about the LAOM muscle which raises the eyebrow - I always thought it made dogs look more anxious than sad when they tense it - but they don't really talk about the RAOL muscle much.

> With dogs, Horowitz points out, we’re so driven to connect that we often search for “smiles” in the shapes of dogs’ mouths.

I think a lot of the "smile" facial expression you see on dogs is produced, not by the mouth, but by the RAOL muscle pulling the corners of the eyes out slightly to mimic the way humans' eyes squint slightly when we smile.

In any case, it'd be surprising if dogs didn't have some behavioural / communicative adaptations, given that their role in our lives has historically been a collaborative one. Look at all of the dramatic cosmetic changes we've made in selecting different breeds of dog. Surely selecting for increased utility as a hunting or farming animal would exert even more pressure?

Re: Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them

#5

Post by hermitdev »

In my experience, the dogs ive been around dont generally look sad. The totality of their facial expressions show their emotion.

Ive a one year old pup, border collie/labrador mix. I can take a quick glance at his face and know exactly how he's feeling. Probably 80% of the time, its pure joy. Happy to run around, chew on toys, jump on the furniture and try and play (unrequitedly) with our cats. About another 10%, he's scared of other animals he can see out of the Windows of our townhouse and barks incessantly. The other 10%, I have no idea.

Eyes on a dog don't tell the whole story. Need to look at eyes, ears, back position, tail and legs to tell.

As I write this, my dog is laying against me, calm amd near sleep. Depending on perspective, I could see his face as seeming sad, but I know he's just sleepy. He's only awake because I am and I've not put him to bed yet. But his face says to me he's calm and content. His breathing is also slowing. His favorite chew toy is inches from his mouth and against my arm and he's content to let it stay there; that's how I know he's tired. If you were to just look at a photo of my dogs face right now, he might appear sad, but I know hes just calm and sleepy.

Re: Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them

#6

Post by tlb »

NeedMoreTea wrote: post #2

Dogs' eyes don't generally look sad, especially if they're quizzically raising one eyebrow. Why change the title from the much more interesting, and accurate original? "Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them" I was actually expecting a dire clickbait sort of article, when it actually turns out to be substantive and interesting.

Title changed from "Why do dogs look sad", thanks.

Re: Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them

#9

Post by Raticide »

ralusek wrote: post #4

> By evolutionary standards, the time since this split [from wolves] has been remarkably short for two new facial muscles to have developed. 2 facial muscles? What about Chihuahuas to Great Danes, is that not a more impressive evolution than 2 facial muscles?

I think it's because chihuahuas and great danes have all the same bits, just with different scales/shapes. Where as entirely new muscles take a lot more work to evolve.
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