Glossary

Whale eye

A look in which a dog turns its head away but keeps its eyes on something, showing a crescent of white, and is often uneasy.

Also called: half-moon eye, showing the whites of the eyes, side-eye, sanpaku

Whale eye, also called half-moon eye, appears when a dog's head is turned slightly away while its eyes stay fixed on something, so that the whites show at the edge. It is a common sign that a dog is uncomfortable, worried or guarding something.

It often comes with other signs of stress, such as a stiff body, closed mouth, lip licking or a lowered head. A dog that shows it while chewing a bone or while being hugged is asking for space.

It is not proof the dog will bite, but it means the dog is under pressure, so back off, give the dog room and remove the cause. Some breeds, such as some with prominent eyes, show white more easily, so read the full posture, not just the eyes. Children should be taught to notice it.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Stress signals Small changes in behavior, such as panting without heat, yawning, shaking off or a tucked tail, that show a dog is uneasy. Lip licking A quick tongue flick over the lips or nose that, outside mealtimes, often signals a dog is nervous or uncertain. Calming signals Subtle behaviors such as yawning, turning away and sniffing that dogs are said to use to ease tension and avoid conflict. Resource guarding A dog's tendency to protect food, toys, places or people from others by stiffening, growling, snapping or biting.