On the face of it, one might not gravitate to a breed known for its “somber and serious expression,” but how does one resist a face like the one belonging to the Sussex Spaniel at the left?

Expression is an important part of breed type. The pensive expression called for in a Clumber Spaniel would be incorrect and out-of-character for a Welsh Terrier whose standard not only specifically calls for a “Welsh Terrier expression,” but describes it as a combination of how the dog uses its ears along with the set, color, and position of his eyes. Wisely, the Puli standard doesn’t even call for expression, in part because it’s pointless for a show judge to try to see expression in a dog whose face is covered with cords, and by the way, a Puli cares only about his person, and not a stranger making odd mouth noises intended to elicit expression from him.  The Komondor standard also doesn’t mention “expression,” probably for the same reasons, but expression is so important in an Spinoni Italiano that the standard says it’s “paramount importance to the breed” and should denote intelligence and gentleness.

If your breed is supposed to have a certain expression, share a picture of it?

Sussex Spaniel photo from the AKC’s Breed of the Day with consent.