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Reading your dog's eyes

A soft gaze, a hard stare, the whites of the eyes showing: your dog's eyes tell you how they're feeling right now. Here's how to read them.

A look into your dog's eyes is often the first thing that tells you how they're doing. You don't need to be an expert – it's enough to know a few simple things and to always keep the whole dog in view.

Soft or hard gaze

When your dog is relaxed, their eyes look soft and their gaze is gentle. When they're tense, the gaze turns hard and fixed. If your dog stares at something with a firm, rigid gaze, that's a serious warning sign: something could happen any moment.

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Frequently asked questions

What is “Reading your dog's eyes” about?

A soft gaze, a hard stare, the whites of the eyes showing: your dog's eyes tell you how they're feeling right now. Here's how to read them. A look into your dog's eyes is often the first thing that tells you how they're doing. You don't need to be an expert – it's enough to know a few simple things and to always keep the whole dog in view.

What else is part of “Reading your dog's eyes”?

When your dog is relaxed, their eyes look soft and their gaze is gentle. When they're tense, the gaze turns hard and fixed. If your dog stares at something with a firm, rigid gaze, that's a serious warning sign: something could happen any moment.

Does the article “Reading your dog's eyes” replace veterinary advice?

This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.

Who wrote “Reading your dog's eyes”, and how up to date is the article?

The article comes from the DOGSY knowledge team and is written in plain language. Last updated: 9 July 2026.

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This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.