why do they greet you with toys?

[kate2]

daft question and just a curiosity really, but whenever I come home one or both dogs usually grabs hold of a stuffed toy and runs round with it in their mouth, wagging their little bums like mad  

they don't hand over or drop the toy, so not inviting play I don't think, or giving me a present they just pick something up and hold it and run round in silly circles wagging their whole rear end! and even when they are laying in their bed they take a toy in there and wag their tail in their bed holding onto the toy

I'm sure its not just spaniels, so why do they pick up a toy when someone comes in? 

[Jaysmumagain]

Both mine have and do that, I always thought it was because of their past working and retrieving origins.

Hope someone can give a more concrete answer

[chrisp]

Mollie does this all the time.  She has to run and grab something in her mouth and then runs round and round you in circles.  Then, after a while, she stops and then runs round and round you the other way!!!  If she can't find a toy quick enough, you can literally see her panicking trying to find one!

[Joules]

I always thought it was a gundog thing - they are bred to retrieve things 

[rubybella]

Both my lab and spaniel do this. As soon as the door goes they rush to find a toy to take, my spaniel often snatches the toy of my lab if she can't find another one in time !!

[MIN]

Gemma has to have a toy in her mouth. if anybody comes to the house or if they are just passing but G thinks they might come she has to grab a toy. it is panic stations if she can not get to one ( then a slipper has to do). also a toy in her mouth is the last thing we see at bedtime and the first thing we see in the morning . she also knows each toy by name and will fetch which ever one we ask for (we use this as part of her training)

[ruby n millies mum]

mine do this to... except they greet visitor with gifts as well , i have to be quick if i'm in the middle of doing laundry, it gets a little embarrassing sometimes

[Pearly]

I read some where recently that dogs carry things because in the wild they would have carried food to a safe place to eat, also back to pups etc.  it's probably the biggest compliment a dog can give it's owner  and is a natural instinct

Pearl not only doesn't carry anything and won't retrieve but knows that the fridge is her ready supply of food so why bother 

[hnnhncklss]

I thought it was only mine that does this, and he'll panic and grab a plastic bottle from the recycling if he can't find a toy! 

I've always thought it was because of their working origins too, but apparently it's not just gundogs that do it. I've just had a quick google and this blog post has an interesting answer 

http://patch.com/virginia/greateralexandria/for-doggy-greetings-the-slobbery-toy-is-mans-best-compliment

[fionad]

I once had a whippet who couldn't find a toy so he greeted me with a fresh egg. He didn't drop or crush it either!

[Murphys Law]

Murphy has to have a toy in his mouth.

If I bend down to stroke him, he will shy away and run off to get one of his toys.

[karenl]

My Amber is a little bit strange , when I start hoovering she takes all her teddies out of her bed and puts them in another room !?

[kate2]

haha perhaps she thinks you'll suck them up!!  

I was greeted with a roll of masking tape, and the innards out of a fleece lined bed yesterday 

[chrisp]

My Amber is a little bit strange , when I start hoovering she takes all her teddies out of her bed and puts them in another room !?

Yes, Mollie does this too... she pulls her bed into another room!

[Sara_Clara]

Yes, Pebbles does this too.  I thought it was a just a spaniel thing as my Lab. never did it.  Mind you it's useful is she's barking at a newcomer at the door as soon quiets her down once the toy is in her mouth.  It is so sweet though isn't it?