It's no secret dogs are generally considered happy creatures.

It only takes a tennis ball to make one's day, or a look in their direction to start a tail wagging, but they don't smile, do they?

Well no, we didn't think so anyway. They're not human after all.

Turns out we were wrong however, as Chris Smalling's wife Sam proved when she posted a picture of the pair's pooch to Instagram.

The image shows the dog sitting in front of a portrait of itself along with the caption: "I hope this picture puts a smile on everybodies (sic) face like it did mine."

Have you ever seen a wider smile?

And well, we have to admit, it certainly did.

Now the image would be funny enough if it just showed the portrait attached to the wall, showing the dog, which appears to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, smiling.

However, the real McCoy sits proudly in front of the image - as if he's just sat to have it painted - with exactly the same expression etched on his face.

The Manchester United defender poses with his wife Sam in 2014 (
Image:
Manchester Evening News)

As to be expected, those who have seen the image have responded to it in a predictable manner - well, in exactly the way we did.

"Adorable face," wrote one, while another added: "Perfect".

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Does Chris Smalling own the happiest dog in the world?