Some breeds are more talented than others - and, ofcourse, the Dandie is one of those breeds. They can grin! The Dandie is not the only grinning breed but also Dalmatians can do it. Not all Dandies are able to grin but many of them are. Ability to grin is genetic and if both parents have this talent, it is very obvious that puppies are able to grin too. Also if one of the parents can do it and the other can´t ....you may still have grinning puppies. And I have at home a Dandie dog who´s parents did not grin but he does. 

If both parents are able to grin it is possible that your puppy starts to grin at a very young age. But he may also start it when he is little bit older and it is also very typical that this habit goes stronger when the Dandie is getting older. Especially if you notice your Dandie when he is grinning.....he will grin even more. :-)

All Dandies do not grin exactly the same way but it varies from individual to individual. You may see grins all the way from a slightly shivering beard to full smile with all teeth visible. Some Dandies are grinning symmetrically with full mouth others with only one side of their mouths. If your Dandie is grinning very slightly it can be possible that you haven´t noticed that wonderful and extraordinary habit. 

Sometimes people who do not know that Dandies are able to grin think that a grinning Dandie is angry and shows his teeth because he will bite soon. So it is very important that breeders do tell puppy owners about this unique talent to produce a grin. That will probably save many people from unpleasant surprises. 

Not all people are able to read dog´s body language even though it in the Dandie´s case is very strong and easy to understand. Angry Dandies look far away from grinning Dandies. A grinning Dandie will put his ears backwards, lift his nose upwards, his tail is wagging and he may also keep squeaking sounds or else keep sneezing while he shows his teeth. 

Most often Dandies show their grin when they are happy or else excited but also when they feel insecure or have been told that they were naughty. A very typical situation when they can grin is when visitors are coming. They can then be so excited and happy they just have to grin! Some Dandies grin very often and to all people, others save their grins only to visitors or else to strange people and others grin only to family members. 

What comes to my Dandies - both of them can grin. Aatu grins very slightly and many people have not even noticed that he can grin. His grin is so rare and so quick that I have not managed to take any photos of it. He grins with the right side of his mouth. Ella´s grinning is wider. She has got her father´s grin.....and she most often uses only one side of her mouth, left side, but she can also give a right side grin as well as grin with full mouth. Under the headline you can see Ella´s mother; Cleopatra grinning. Cleo is sneezing at the same time and Ella does the same but not as often as her mother.

 Little grin.