Why do dogs lick our face? (An expert responds)

If you are a dog owner, then you already know that there are some behaviors that seem ingrained in our dogs. And one dog behavior that we have long been curious about is why do our dogs lick our face.

As pet parents, there is something about cuddling with our pups that is downright comforting. And while not all dog owners are going to love getting those happy little kisses, for others this is that moment of connection that brings us joy, even if we do end up needing to wash our faces immediately afterwards.

Knowing how we feel about having our face licked by our dog, we wanted to know what it really meant. Is this a good thing? What does it actually mean if your dog is licking your face? So we asked an expert for answers.

Thanks to Dr. Kathryn Dench (MA VetMB), and the Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, we have a better understanding of exactly why our pups are out here licking our faces. (And no, it is not a bad thing.)

Why do our dogs lick our face?

According to Dr. Dench, a large majority of dogs exhibit this specific behavior. And it is truly a form of communication for them.

"Dogs lick faces as a form of communication and bonding. This behavior is rooted in their puppyhood when puppies lick their mother's face to stimulate regurgitation of food. As domestic pets, dogs often extend this behavior to their human companions as a gesture of affection or to seek attention. In my clinical experience, I've observed that nearly 70% of dogs display this behavior, particularly those that are more socially engaged with their human families."

- Dr. Kathryn Dench

It makes perfect sense to us that this is a form of affection. And having had dogs most of our lives, we have seen this behavior in a lot of our own pups. While not every dog gets into this form of affection, many of them do. And it just seems obvious that this is both a way for then to communicate and show their attachment to us.

Are you at all surprised by Dr. Dench's answer to our question? Do you have a dog that licks your face too?