Our previous dalmatian was a "smiler " . She always greeted people with a huge (but to some a terrifying ) smile .

Her ears would flap back and she would show all her teeth but she was the most subservient and non aggressive dog ever ...her tail would be wagging like mad and she would lower her body too. She was very happy to welcome strangers into the garden or even the house ....she loved everybody ...even a burglar would have been welcomed...

She did this from being a puppy . People who were familiar with dogs of course would immediately recognise that she was non threatening but a non doggy person who had never encountered such a dog before could well be terrified.