Ever been mid-convo with your dog (because, yes, we all talk to our dogs), and they casually drop a wink like they’re in on the joke? That little squint, that blink-with-attitude — it’s not your imagination. Some dogs really do wink, and it’s not just adorable — it can be a form of communication, affection, or even pure sass.
Winking in dogs is often a social signal — a calming gesture that says “I’m chill,” “you’re cool,” or “give me that treat before I resort to chaos.” According to Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of canine psychology, dogs use facial expressions to interact with humans more than with each other, especially when they know their human is watching.
Let’s dive into the charming world of 7 dog breeds that wink at owners playfully, intentionally, or instinctively, and why their flirty eye blinks are stealing hearts (and probably snacks) everywhere.
Dog Breeds That Wink At Owners Playfully
1. Labrador Retriever
Labradors are the golden boys of the dog world — friendly, loyal, goofy, and emotionally in tune with their humans. If you have this best friend, you’ve probably been on the receiving end of a playful wink after a fetch session or a particularly daring snack theft.
These particular pets are extremely expressive, and their facial muscles work overtime to charm their way into our hearts (and our fridges). Winking for them can be a form of mimicry; they’ve watched you blink or smile, and they do their version to bond or say, “I’m just playing, buddy.”
They’re also among the breeds most attuned to human emotions. A 2014 study published in Animal Cognition found that Labradors excel at reading facial cues and often use eye contact as a form of communication. That wink? It could be their way of signaling, “All is good in the world. Now toss the ball.
Now considered to be phenomenal family pets, they were bred to retrieve game from water, but now they mostly retrieve your slippers, your groceries, and your will to stay mad at them.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are the fluffy therapists of the dog world. They’re emotionally available, absurdly loyal, and they always seem to know when you need a cuddle, a laugh, or a slow wink that says, “You’re doing great, sweetie.”
Their ability to wink isn’t just endearing — it’s a communication tool. Goldens are natural mimics and are particularly skilled at reading human expressions. A 2021 canine behavior study by Kyoto University revealed that Golden Retrievers demonstrated some of the highest levels of voluntary facial mimicry.
Winking also plays into their “people-pleasing” nature. If they see you respond positively to a wink, they’ll likely repeat it. Using their paws, they’ll also follow you around the dog park and wink at you whenever they want to stay outdoors for a little longer.
It chases the prey with great efficiency.
Goldens were originally bred in Scotland to retrieve game from land and water.
These days? They’re out here retrieving hearts and dropping winks like it’s their side hustle rather than using their bite force to scare away the prey. They adjust to family lifestyles quite efficiently.
3. Boxer
Boxers are the drama queens (and kings) of the canine kingdom. They’re muscular, energetic, and have a face that looks like it’s always about to deliver a punchline. And yes, they wink — often and with flair.
These companion dogs have highly expressive faces, thanks to their strong facial muscles and wide-set eyes. When they wink, it’s usually a part of a larger performance that includes dramatic head tilts, goofy grins, and the occasional zoomie-induced pirouette.
They use winking and smiling as a calming signal, too, especially if they sense tension in their humans or just want to transition from “play mode” to “cuddle mode.”
The kids love them; these gentle canines make phenomenal family dogs.
They descended from ancient war dogs and were used in hunting large game. Now? Their biggest prey is your personal space.
4. Pomeranian
Poms are lovely dogs with a rich history.
These tiny floofballs carry the confidence of a lion and the mischief of a toddler who just discovered sugar. And they wink? Oh, they wink on purpose.
Poms are brilliant little companions with a strong sense of self, as per Purina. They know they’re cute, and they use it to their advantage. Winking often follows an act of mischief or play.
Because of their compact mouth and bright, expressive eyes, winks look especially exaggerated on Poms. A 2020 Journal of Veterinary Behavior study noted that small breeds like Pomeranians often rely more on exaggerated facial cues to engage their humans.
Did you know Queen Victoria was so obsessed with Pomeranians that she owned over 30 of them? Imagine being winked at by a pack of royal fluff.
5. Jack Russell Terrier
Small but mighty, Jack Russells are basically kinetic energy wrapped in fur. These little dynamos love adventure, chaos, and yes, playfully winking at their humans like they’re the main character.
These terriers are among the most intelligent dog breeds and are known for their problem-solving skills. Winking can be their way of initiating play or signaling a “no hard feelings” message after knocking over your coffee… again.
Jack Russells don’t walk — they bounce, leap, sprint, and then bounce again. If you’ve ever wanted a furry tornado that doubles as a fitness coach, this is your dog. They have enough energy to power a small town… or at least your entire afternoon.
Jack Russells were originally bred to flush foxes out of their dens. Now, they mostly flush out snacks from between your couch cushions.
6. French Bulldog
Frenchies are the quirky comedians of the dog world. Their squishy faces and massive bat ears make them look like they’re perpetually about to deliver a punchline. And their wink? Always perfectly timed.
They often wink as a learned behavior. They quickly figure out that certain facial expressions make humans laugh or coo, so they repeat them. Combine that with their low-energy charm, and you’ve got a dog that blinks at you like, “I’m too cute for discipline.”
Frenchies are world-class loungers. Like, if “sleeping on the couch” were an Olympic sport, your Frenchie would take gold, then fall asleep on the podium. PDSA says they’ll follow you around the house… just to find the next comfiest surface to vibe on.
And yes, they’ll judge your life choices with a side-eye before snoring like a tiny chainsaw.
French Bulldogs became wildly popular among Parisian lace workers in the 1800s. Even back then, they were out here giving main-character energy.
7. Portuguese Water Dog
These curly-coated, gentle cuties might not be the first breed that comes to mind when you think of winkers, but don’t underestimate them. Portuguese Water Dogs are highly intelligent and super attuned to their owners, making them secret experts at playful eye-blinking.
Originally bred to herd fish and retrieve lost gear for Portuguese fishermen, as per the AKC, these dogs have a natural instinct to pay close attention to human cues. Their winks are subtle but intentional, often signaling contentment or playfulness.
These dogs are scary intelligent.
We’re talking “solve a puzzle toy in under 30 seconds” kind of smart. They pick up commands like it’s gossip at brunch — fast and with full commitment. Training them is a joy… until they start opening doors on their own. (Yes, it happens.)
They’re one of the few curly-coated breeds that are hypoallergenic — aka, they shed less than your toxic ex. This makes them perfect for folks who want all the snuggles without sneezing themselves into another dimension.
Some Presidential Pup Energy: Obama’s family’s two dogs, Bo and Sunny, were both Portuguese Water Dogs. And since Obama gave them fame, they have constantly been loved by everyone!
Conclusion
Winking in dogs isn’t just a cute accident — it’s often a deliberate form of communication, an expression of joy, or just a quirky trait some breeds love to flaunt. From the expressive Labrador to the royal Pomeranian, these playful wiggling remind us that dogs don’t just live in our homes — they live in our hearts and occasionally, rent-free in our Instagram reels.
So next time your pup hits you with a slow blink or cheeky wink, just wink back. You’re not crazy. You’re just fluent in Dog.
