Is it a cleaning thing or an affection thing?
2007-01-19 06:34:16 · 12 answers · asked by Snickford 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You see in the wild dogs lick each others faces not only while they are pups but also into adulthood. This action has many different purposes. As puppies the young dogs lick their parents faces to stimulate regurgitation. Young dogs cannot digest meat in its crude form so the parents and uncles and aunts of the pack swallow the meat which then begins to digest in their stomachs. When the adult dogs reach the den the younger dogs begin to lick their mouths which stimulates the regurgitation of the partially digested meat. The puppies then eat this meat.
Dogs also lick faces as a sign of respect. In the wild the dog pack has a definite hierarchy which must be followed at all times and one of the ways in which the dogs show respect to the dominant male and female is by face licking. Woe be to the dog who doesn't lick the face of the Alpha male.
2007-01-19 06:40:27 · answer #1 · answered by mistresscris 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is primarily an appeasement or respectful gesture. The more "submissive" dog will lick the face of the more "dominant" dog. Keep in mind that "dominance" is situational, so it's not unusual for two dogs to lick eachother's faces in varying circumstances.
It could also be affection or bonding, but this would likely be the explanation in fewer cases.
2007-01-19 06:57:43 · answer #2 · answered by melissa k 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I actually have a 4 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous universal poodle and a 2 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous miniature poodle. virtually each and each day the older one (male) will lick the more youthful one (lady) around the eyes or ears. i for my section imagine that he's only cleansing her and for the reason that she in no way strikes away, i anticipate she enjoys it. for the reason that they are likely pals, i'm assuming it truly is only what they do. they are both fastened so its likely a delightful gesture, no longer only for different motives. Like monkeys sparkling different monkeys so it would want to properly be ok.
2016-11-25 20:44:17 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. If another has a wound, they try to clean it for them. If they're dirty, they try to clean them. If they like them, they lick each other. Granted, they don't need to be licking in the hears crotch or ahem, OTHER areas, when people are around. They do it for cleaning, health and affection.
It's the same thing as a human mother bathing her baby, and taking it to the doctor.
2007-01-19 06:39:47 · answer #4 · answered by Pluto 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an affection thing. Dogs can't obviously kiss so they lick each other.
2007-01-19 07:40:46 · answer #5 · answered by WheelchairBA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its both. Dogs show their affection in licking. My two do it all the time. If you watch how they lick each other you can tell if they are being lovey Dovey or just cleaning.
2007-01-19 06:39:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's both, grooming each other and showing affection for each other. Dogs express affection, by licking for both humans and other animals.
2007-01-19 07:42:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its placement in the pack. Im sure you have all heard of alpha there is always a beta and a nurturer. Its also a dominance over the other. If my nurterer (smallest) can't clean their ears, eyes, nose, teeth crotch he will hump them to get control of them. Yes my house is a little strange!!
2007-01-19 06:46:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason they lick their nuts.
j/k...they're just dogs and that's how they say I love you!
2007-01-19 06:42:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's generally a submissive gesture, meant to convey "Hey, I won't do you any harm!" The more submissive dog does it to the more dominant dog who he is trying to make friends with, play with, etc.
2007-01-19 06:42:37 · answer #10 · answered by lrachelle 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋