When I was younger me and my sister used to take a large cross breed on walks for its owner ,this dog you could ask it to smile and it would show its teeth and growl but it was a sweet happy growl if that makes any sence ,people who didnt know the dog were scared when it did that ,but it was one of the most sweet softy dogs I have ever known

I asked the dog to smile at some school bullies we met on a walk once who used to bully me at school ,hehe you should have seen them run

My mums Springer Spanial (Webster ) used to smile...especailly when mum had been out shopping....he meet her with a whirl of wiggles and a toothy grin

Our Rottie does it only when my partner cuddles him.

Shaan my GSD does it. It's more of a moan than a growl

Star growls when you play with her but its a higher pitched growl.

She comes over to you with her ball and growls thats her way of saying "I want to play".

mand my rottie makes lots of growling noises when you cuddle or play with him
i think it is a rottie thing
but it doe,s scare alot of people

MY terrier does it, but i think he really is saying get lost lol!

ah it sounds cute. max just flops on his back legs akimbo

I thought it was just Abby who does this glad to know other peoples dogs purr.
Mary

Oh yes, Murphy my Rottie does that too, its a doggy version of purring. He does it more when I stroke his face as he's dozing off (hubby says I don't show him that amount of affection LOL)