---
title: "Dogs distinguish human emotions in brain scans, Vienna study finds"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/dogs-distinguish-human-emotions-in-brain-scans-vienna-study-finds"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/dogs-distinguish-human-emotions-in-brain-scans-vienna-study-finds"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/dogs-distinguish-human-emotions-in-brain-scans-vienna-study-finds.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/dogs-distinguish-human-emotions-in-brain-scans-vienna-study-finds"
category: "Science & Tech"
area: "European Union"
published: "2026-08-11T13:25:31.436Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-11T12:16:42.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-11T13:25:31.436Z"
trust_score: 86
critic_score: 95
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-11T15:20:07.923Z"
---

# Dogs distinguish human emotions in brain scans, Vienna study finds

*Researchers identify specific brain regions activated by happy faces, and separate patterns for fear, anger and sadness*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Trust 86: Reuters cites University of Vienna researchers, press release, iScience journal, and names senior author Laura Cuaya.
- Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95: article explains significance, quotes researchers, separates facts, provides specific data, and outlines next steps.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: language is measured; headline matches content without sensational exaggeration.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Brain scans of twelve dogs showed that happy human faces activate the temporal cortex and caudate nucleus, regions linked to cognition and reward processing.
- The study, published in iScience, is the first to provide neural evidence that dogs distinguish between specific negative emotions like fear, anger and sadness.
- All dogs in the study were pets from loving families; researchers cautioned that dogs in other environments may respond differently to human cues.
- Next steps include comparing how human and canine brains process the same emotional signals and integrating other cues like body language and scent.

Researchers at the University of Vienna used brain scans to study how dogs respond to human facial expressions. The study, published in the Cell Press journal iScience on 11 August 2026, involved twelve dogs viewing images of strangers displaying happiness, anger, fear and sadness.

The scans showed that happy faces activated the dogs’ temporal cortex and caudate nucleus, areas associated with higher cognitive functions and reward processing. Anger, fear and sadness did not trigger the same regions. A whole-brain analysis revealed distinct patterns of activity that differentiated fear from anger and sadness, providing the first evidence that dogs can tell these emotions apart.

Senior author Laura Cuaya said the findings suggest happy human faces may have emotional significance for dogs. The researchers noted that all participants were pets from loving families and cautioned that dogs in other environments might process human emotional cues differently. Future work will explore how dogs integrate body language, voice and scent, and compare human and canine brain responses to the same signals.

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mentioned that the study found happy human faces activate specific brain regions linked to cognition and reward. None of the centre-rated digests carried the researchers’ caution that the findings may not apply to dogs outside loving family environments. The left-rated digests did not omit either detail.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 66 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 24% (16)
- Centre: 49% (32)
- Right: 27% (18)

20 of 86 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-11T15:20:07.923Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-11T15:30:10.293Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The eight left-rated digests and two full reports led on the emotional bond between dogs and humans. The Independent and Sydney Morning Herald framed the study as confirming what dog owners already suspected: that dogs can distinguish between smiles and negative expressions. The Independent quoted study author Raúl Hernández-Pérez, who said dogs are "very interesting" for their ability to pick up small facial details, and senior author Laura Cuaya, who noted that happy faces may have "emotional significance" for dogs.
- The left-rated digests highlighted the evolutionary aspect of the findings. The Irish Times and The Age described the study as the first evidence that dogs can tell apart specific human emotions, not just categorise them as positive or negative. The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times and The Age carried identical digests advising readers to "smile at every dog you see on the street."

### Centre

- The eight centre-rated digests and one full report focused on the scientific methodology and the specific brain regions involved. WTVB’s full report led with the finding that the study provided the "first ever evidence" of dogs distinguishing human emotions, quoting the university’s press release. It named the temporal cortex and caudate nucleus as the regions activated by happy faces and noted that anger, fear and sadness did not trigger those areas.
- The centre-rated digests, including those from The Globe & Mail and mannheim24.de, repeated the activation of brain regions linked to "higher cognitive functions and reward processing." None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the evolutionary or emotional implications of the findings, or the researchers’ caution about dogs from non-loving environments.

### Right

- The six right-rated digests led on the study’s novelty as a scientific breakthrough. GB News described it as a "landmark study" and the "first neural evidence" that dogs can differentiate between specific negative emotions. Clarin and Yonhap News Agency both highlighted the finding that dogs distinguish fear from sadness, with Clarin noting that dogs also rely on body language, voice and scent in real life.
- None of the right-rated digests mentioned the activation of the temporal cortex or caudate nucleus by happy faces, or the researchers’ caution about the dogs’ backgrounds. The Herald Palladium and Webster County Citizen carried identical digests to the centre-rated outlets, focusing on the general premise of the study without additional framing.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 5
- high: 38
- unknown: 27
- veryHigh: 15

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [swr.online](https://swr.de/leben/verbraucher/studie-zeigt-was-im-hundehirn-passiert-wenn-menschen-laecheln-100.html) — What Happens in the Dog Brain when People Smile
- [RPP](https://rpp.pe/videos/vital/por-que-debemos-sonreir-a-nuestros-perros-noticia-1700975) — Why Should We Smile at Our Dogs?
- [mannheim24.de](https://mannheim24.de/welt/mensch-hund-beziehung-wie-hunde-gesichtsausdruecke-deuten-zr-94438499.html) — "Only by Looking at Faces Can Dogs Distinguish Emotions – Which Reveals Three Studies
- [Irish Times](https://irishtimes.com/world/2026/08/11/study-of-dogs-confirms-what-you-may-already-know-they-can-tell-when-were-happy-or-sad) — Study of dogs confirms what you may already know – they can tell when we’re happy or sad
- [The Globe & Mail](https://theglobeandmail.com/world/article-dogs-distinguish-emotions-human-face) — Dogs can tell when humans are happy, sad or angry, study shows
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/11/dogs-can-distinguish-between-emotions-in-a-human-face-study-shows) — Dogs can distinguish between emotions in a human face, study shows
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/internacional/descubren-perros-pueden-distinguir-miedo-tristeza-rostros-humanos_0_xNdUe3CqUO.html) — They Discover that Dogs Can Distinguish Between Fear and Sadness on Human Faces
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/science/science-breakthrough-dogs-distinguish-emotions) — Scientists publish landmark study on how dogs can distinguish between human emotions
- [Sydney Morning Herald](https://smh.com.au/national/scientists-scanned-14-canine-brains-they-found-another-reason-to-love-dogs-20260811-p60n61.html) — Scientists scanned 14 canine brains. They found another reason to love dogs
- [The Age](https://theage.com.au/national/scientists-scanned-14-canine-brains-they-found-another-reason-to-love-dogs-20260811-p60n61.html) — Scientists scanned 14 canine brains. They found another reason to love dogs
- [Perfil](https://perfil.com/noticias/sociedad/tu-perro-puede-distinguir-cuando-estas-triste-que-descubrieron-los-cientificos-al-mirar-dentro-de-su-cerebro.phtml) — Your Dog Can Tell when You're Sad: What Scientists Discovered by Looking Inside His Brain
- [Brisbane Times](https://brisbanetimes.com.au/national/scientists-scanned-14-canine-brains-they-found-another-reason-to-love-dogs-20260811-p60n61.html) — Scientists scanned 14 canine brains. They found another reason to love dogs
- [WA today](https://watoday.com.au/national/scientists-scanned-14-canine-brains-they-found-another-reason-to-love-dogs-20260811-p60n61.html) — Scientists scanned 14 canine brains. They found another reason to love dogs
- [efeverde.com](https://efeverde.com/perros-distinguir-emociones-rostros-humanos) — Dogs Can Distinguish Between Fear and Sadness on Human Faces
- [vienna.at](https://vienna.at/hundehirne-unterscheiden-gefuehle-in-menschengesichtern/10381556) — Dog Brains Can Distinguish Emotions in Human Faces.
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/dog-tell-emotion-human-face-b3030357.html) — Your dog can spot when you are happy or scared, scientists find
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ciencia/2026/08/cerebro-de-cachorros-capta-varias-emocoes-no-rosto-humano-segundo-estudo.shtml) — Dog Brain Captures Various Emotions on the Human Face - 11/08/2026
- [Newswise](https://newswise.com/articles/brain-scans-show-that-dogs-can-distinguish-various-emotions-in-human-faces) — Brain Scans Show That Dogs Can Distinguish Various Emotions in Human Faces
- [BIOENGINEER.ORG](https://bioengineer.org/dogs-distinguish-human-fear-from-sadness-study-finds) — Dogs Distinguish Human Fear from Sadness, Study Finds
- [Scienmag: Latest Science and Health News](https://scienmag.com/dogs-distinguish-human-fear-from-sadness-study-finds) — Dogs Distinguish Human Fear from Sadness, Study Finds
- [Unknown](https://chosun.com/economy/science/2026/08/11/MVRGKZLCMYYDINLBMJSTOOJRHE) — Dogs Can Distinguish Even Human Fear and Sadness
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/science/dog-research-human-emotions-study-b3030671.html) — Researchers discover your dog can tell if you’re sad or afraid
- [informacion.es](https://informacion.es/sociedad/2026/08/10/perros-distinguir-miedo-ira-tristeza-rostros-humanos-133250680.html) — Dogs Can Distinguish Between Fear, Anger and Sadness on Human Faces
- [laprovincia.es](https://laprovincia.es/sociedad/2026/08/10/perros-distinguir-miedo-ira-tristeza-rostros-humanos-133250684.html) — Dogs Can Distinguish Between Fear, Anger and Sadness on Human Faces
- [lacronicabadajoz.com](https://lacronicabadajoz.com/sociedad/2026/08/10/perros-distinguir-miedo-ira-tristeza-rostros-humanos-133250710.html) — Dogs Can Distinguish Between Fear, Anger and Sadness on Human Faces
- [elcorreogallego.es](https://elcorreogallego.es/sociedad/2026/08/10/perros-distinguir-miedo-ira-tristeza-rostros-humanos-133250698.html) — Dogs Can Distinguish Between Fear, Anger and Sadness on Human Faces
- [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260810125500017) — [SciTech+] "Dogs' Brains Process Happy Human Faces and Fearful Faces Differently"
- [Daily News Egypt](https://dailynewsegypt.com/2026/08/10/dogs-can-tell-when-humans-are-happy-or-upset-study-finds) — Dogs can tell when humans are happy or upset, study finds - Dailynewsegypt
- [KULR-TV](https://kulr8.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_23d8e64f-a1f9-54f5-a667-12ebe3f98284.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Watauga Democrat](https://wataugademocrat.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_ac10371f-07d0-5ce0-b4b9-428abaab3ce8.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [ABC FOX Montana](https://montanarightnow.com/national_news/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_05140604-d365-5459-a895-a4ae66a682cc.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [KTEN](https://kten.com/news/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_49e40eb7-f7b5-5d2b-aa62-32d2543228a4.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Daily Post-Athenian](https://dailypostathenian.com/news/national/article_a4bc8e24-49f0-5e8b-a3ea-e44cb87d5dfb.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [El Paso Inc.](https://elpasoinc.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_f9cf26b3-8b7e-5278-b444-ac8b099e62b8.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [InsideNoVA.com](https://insidenova.com/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_e90bd635-301e-5b0b-9a94-5c02bd7fd342.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [thepress.net](https://thepress.net/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_8377f6dc-fea6-5759-80a5-a60d611c5df6.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Columbia Gorge News](https://columbiagorgenews.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_f0d2be45-5d81-5fbf-baf6-e324b0c1d88c.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Floyd Chronicle & Times](https://floydct.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_714d227c-f4f4-5ae2-87a1-1064005ac78b.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [KAKE News](https://kake.com/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_a62a769c-b6a8-5231-8715-f72f664cff01.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [KPVI](https://kpvi.com/interests/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_0c0e5ebb-1be4-5a83-b79c-7043d436d4dc.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Southernminn.com](https://southernminn.com/around_the_web/community/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_d2d4aee0-d3ad-5c46-b95b-5311843e3469.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [The Herald Palladium](https://heraldpalladium.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_a66d65e1-01a6-5462-9a93-9e091283effa.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Webster County Citizen](https://webstercountycitizen.com/news/national/article_d18488bf-6587-5742-8b41-1ccf185ae719.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Your Alaska Link](https://youralaskalink.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_aa9b56a7-5930-559c-99f5-4df6ffe3343b.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [SF Weekly](https://sfweekly.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_a9636585-6a0b-5d16-a7f0-f780c3b5701d.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [The Mountain Press](https://themountainpress.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_25974676-d4bc-5e2a-9651-b6f256bd7358.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Idaho County Free Press](https://idahocountyfreepress.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_b8a4dae6-2df3-5376-add9-0d78a42663af.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [The Sanford Herald](https://sanfordherald.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_8f9a50d1-129d-5536-9b2e-7e9bb31cb4ba.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Chronicle-Tribune](https://chronicle-tribune.com/news/wire/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_438e5520-393c-5359-8037-2279a41b5fae.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [The Daily Courier](https://thedigitalcourier.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_d8952b94-f77a-58d6-aad8-77dc32d1268a.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Leader Publications](https://myleaderpaper.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_74003f8a-0760-567d-953b-8639f416c429.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Pacific Daily News](https://guampdn.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_7bb2abf6-1bd2-5719-9eb5-980398ea6b34.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Sunnyside Sun](https://sunnysidesun.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_e689f7f0-0136-513a-a402-0df53282431a.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [CoMo BUZ](https://comobuz.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_b5a8b4fc-7d91-52b9-8828-bdb08a2494e0.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Rochester Sentinel](https://rochsent.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_bb56a9df-eeb1-5368-9803-8718ef678885.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Appalachian News-Express](https://news-expressky.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_333e5af8-6026-5eb1-af50-4d4541ff5c6e.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [http://www.wfxg.com](https://wfxg.com/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_32668dbe-4566-56dd-b990-b685488b14e0.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Princeton Clarion](https://pdclarion.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_34714ad4-a723-51c7-b9a5-a57d01ebe93d.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [News-Topic](https://newstopicnews.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_aceef332-7761-5a3a-a5d1-7c9a6422f6ff.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [The Daily Herald](https://rrdailyherald.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_dc15da85-2396-559b-9af7-043e449bac56.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Delaware Business Now](https://delawarebusinessnow.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_ef43ebf4-e65a-5423-9a8b-0ba91622969c.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [ashepostandtimes.com](https://ashepostandtimes.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_92b5edb6-fb1d-563d-a985-b7bc6b62b345.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [The Guam Daily Post](https://postguam.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_a0a6db7d-a301-5179-91a0-7827410a5806.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [mykxlg.com](https://mykxlg.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_c2287a55-5bd9-5c13-a268-5fded641763b.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [iosconews.com](https://iosconews.com/news/nation/article_c3248eea-6a2f-5b84-bd50-a933655fe8ce.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Ashley County Ledger](https://ashleycountyledger.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_9f2a1857-6424-544b-a924-e39f1fbeca66.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [stonecountyenterprise.com](https://stonecountyenterprise.com/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_440e3949-3902-5806-9c97-7485772ed845.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Whiskers 101](https://whiskers101.com/lifestyles/pets/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_6973b3ee-9526-5ec7-aa66-b3d6274ee92e.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Grand Rapids Herald-Review](https://grandrapidsmn.com/around_the_web/other/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_acfecbb1-f5d6-5a92-827b-c28e08ddfd1d.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [romesentinel.com](https://romesentinel.com/ce/news/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_4b641206-0dbd-5c0f-ac3b-de80d65c8177.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Purdue Exponent](https://purdueexponent.org/news/national/can-dogs-tell-fear-from-sadness-brain-scans-may-reveal-answer/article_66858b2a-49bd-5ac5-b18f-dcc6f1f05abc.html) — Can dogs tell fear from sadness? Brain scans may reveal answer
- [Discover Magazine](https://discovermagazine.com/how-a-cat-person-helped-reveal-dogs-ability-to-distinguish-human-emotions-49518) — How a Cat Person Helped Reveal Dogs' Ability to Distinguish Human Emotions
- [Time Magazine](https://time.com/article/2026/08/10/your-dog-can-tell-when-youre-happy) — Your Dog Really Can Tell When You're Happy
- [Neuroscience News](https://neurosciencenews.com/dog-brains-human-emotion-31202) — Dog Brains Differentiate Human Anger, Fear, and Sadness
- [The Telegraph](https://telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/10/feeling-ruff-dog-can-tell-owner-happy-sad) — Feeling ruff? How your dog can tell if you're happy or sad
- [Unknown](https://english.pravda.ru/news/animal/167816-sensitive-dog-behavior) — Why some dogs react strongly to their owner's emotional state
- [Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/dogs-can-tell-if-youre-scared-or-sad) — Dogs can tell if you're scared or sad
- [RTVI](https://rtvi.com/news/sobaki-v-tomografe) — Tomograph Showed that Dogs Distinguish Human Fear From Sadness.
- [n-tv](https://n-tv.de/wissen/Studie-zeigt-wie-gut-Hunde-Gesichtsausdruecke-erkennen-id31177312.html) — Joy, Fear, Anger and Grief: Study Shows How Well Dogs Recognize Facial Expressions
- [El Pais](https://elpais.com/ciencia/2026-08-10/tu-perro-sabe-cuando-estas-triste-y-cuando-tienes-miedo-asi-es-como-su-cerebro-distingue-nuestras-emociones.html) — Your Dog Knows when You're Sad and when You're Scared: This Is How His Brain Distinguishes Our Emotions.
- [Popular Science](https://popsci.com/environment/dogs-can-tell-angry-sad-scared) — Dogs can tell if you're angry, scared, or sad
- [technewstube.com](https://technewstube.com/ars-technica/1857152/dogs-can-tell-youre-scared-sad) — Dogs can tell if you're scared or sad
- [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/ce8kr3yrl6eo) — We should smile at our dogs - a new scientific study reveals why
- [Scientific American](https://scientificamerican.com/article/can-dogs-read-your-facial-expressions-it-depends-on-your-mood) — Can dogs read your facial expressions? It depends on your mood
- [Science News](https://sciencenews.org/article/dogs-understand-emotions-humans-face) — Sad or afraid? Dogs may be able to read your face
- [HuffPost UK](https://huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/signs-dog-loves-you_uk_6a798644e4b01ec88690c5cc) — Not Just Tail Wagging: 5 Science-Backed Signs Your Dog Loves You

## Questions

**Which brain regions did the study find are activated by happy human faces?**

The study found that happy human faces activate the temporal cortex and caudate nucleus in dogs’ brains. These regions are associated with higher cognitive functions and reward processing, respectively. The finding was published in the journal iScience by researchers at the University of Vienna.

**Can dogs distinguish between different negative emotions?**

Yes, the study provided the first neural evidence that dogs can distinguish between specific negative emotions like fear, anger and sadness. Brain scans showed distinct patterns of activity for each emotion, separate from the response to happiness. The research was conducted by the University of Vienna.

**Did all the outlets report the same details about the study?**

No. The left-rated digests emphasised the emotional bond and evolutionary implications, while the centre-rated digests focused on the brain regions involved. The right-rated digests led on the study’s novelty but omitted the finding about happy faces activating specific brain regions.

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MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/tech/dogs-distinguish-human-emotions-in-brain-scans-vienna-study-finds. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Dogs distinguish human emotions in brain scans, Vienna study finds", https://mediabias.news/tech/dogs-distinguish-human-emotions-in-brain-scans-vienna-study-finds