Rottie growls when happy

[Jessika]

I don't have a Rottie, but my Aussie will "smile" when she gets very excited. Some people are uncomfortable by this, especially strangers who have never met her (and I can understand why). She doesn't do the growling thing... though she will occasionally "grunt" when we get her very excited. We call it her "oinking"

[Taz_Zoee]

I don't have a Rottie, but my Aussie will "smile" when she gets very excited. Some people are uncomfortable by this, especially strangers who have never met her (and I can understand why). She doesn't do the growling thing... though she will occasionally "grunt" when we get her very excited. We call it her "oinking"

Yes, my Aussie, Zoee, grunts and groans too when you pet her. And my mom's little poodle mix always "smiles" when you first come into the house.
I don't see a problem with either behavior. But I can see how it could be alarming to someone that doesn't know the dog is friendly. Just like my Zoee.......when we go for walks and she sees another dog she goes balistic and the hair on her back raises. That's a normal sign of aggression, but once she meets the other dog all she wants to do is play. It's a tough thing to deal with, but we've managed it for almost 8 years now.