Brain scans reveal how dogs process human facial expressions

Brain scans of awake pet dogs have revealed how they process human facial expressions. Research conducted by the University of Vienna indicates that human smiles trigger a distinctive response in a right-sided brain network, specifically involving the temporal cortex and the caudate nucleus, an area associated with rewards.

The study, which primarily utilized border collies, suggests that dogs do not merely categorize faces into positive or negative categories. Instead, they appear to process complex emotional nuances. For instance, brain activity patterns showed that fearful faces were processed differently than both angry and sad expressions.

Lead researcher Raúl Hernández-Pérez noted that dogs, much like humans, are capable of picking up small details on the face. This ability suggests significant evolutionary adaptations that support their social and emotional understanding of humans.