Dogs' Brains Can Distinguish Different Human Facial Expressions, Study Finds

New research using fMRI scans reveals that dogs' brains exhibit distinct patterns of activity when they view human facial expressions of happiness, fear, anger, and sadness. The study, led by Dr. Laura Cuaya from the University of Vienna, goes beyond previous behavioral tests that only compared one positive and one negative expression, showing that dogs can differentiate between various types of unhappy faces as well. The findings were published on August 10, 2026, and were reported by Ars Technica, The Guardian, and BBC Science & Environment.