My 10 month old pup loves nothing better than sniffing my mouth, nose and ears, what I'd like to know is why?

Also, if I'm laid on the settee, he'll come and lie with me and if he can he'll rest his head over my neck. Is this a comfort or a dominance thing? (It doesn't happen very often because I don't like him doing this)

Its just a comfort thing, some dogs just want to be touched all the time by their human parents and others are more distant. I have one of each, one likes to lie as close as possible, to the point of suffocating, and the other likes the occasional fuss, but is just not a huggy dog. I thing the breath smelling is because this is how many dogs communicate affection. They lick each others noses and lips and smell their mouths (and bums :-D ). I would just take it all as affection. It is a myth that dogs show "dominance" over humans.

In a word affection.

The reason pups originally did this was to stimulate the pack to regurgitate their food, and this then continues as a greeting ritual when the wild dogs/wolves reunite.

I Love to snuggle like that with one of mine, but usually they get too hot after a short time..

He is very affectionate and loves his cuddles!!! :)

> Is this a comfort or a dominance thing? (It doesn't happen very often because I don't like him doing this)

Definitely not dominance.

Not sure why you wouldn't like it.  At 10 months he's still a baby, and it reassures him to have this closeness.

>It doesn't happen very often because I don't like him doing this

I think it's sweet,  but perhaps just before he cuts off your circulation he might need shifting a bit.  You know, just when you start to go purple...  !!

We have one dog that likes to be skin to skin and another that easily stand whole rooms between us.  Just remember that pile of puppies your lad spent his first weeks with - they often sleep in a heap.  He's recreating that with you and must find it very comforting. 

As others have said, it isn't something to be wary of, but treasured. Dogs "see" with their noses, so he is "looking" at you with his nose, finding out what you last ate, what your ears smell like, what your face & hair are like. He is learning to recognise you in the way that dogs do.... by scent not sight. I see it as a bonding thing more than anything else.

If you want to find out how a dog sees the world, I'd recommend the book by Alexandra Horowitz: "Inside of A Dog" which explores exactly how dogs perceive the world, and us..... a very pleasant and informative read which will open your eyes to many things, and probably bring you a lot closer to understanding the lovely creature that's sharing your life.

And if he chooses to lie with you like that, then that's a close approval - he feels safe, trusts you, and loves the close contact. But he may need a little guidance and training on that score, because dogs don't understand that we get cramps and pins & needles after too much weight on us for too long!

Not sure why you wouldn't like it.

Only because it can be uncomfortable and stops me breathing lol!!! He still gets lots of other cuddles, I just don't like it over my neck.

It's been over 20 years since I had my last puppy, we usually have older rescue dogs so all the sniffing is new to me, although I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying the affection!

My dogs all love to do this, but they have a pecking order: the youngest gets to lie with his head across my legs, the dominant/oldest dog snuggles up on my shoulder and the 'quiet' boy builds a nest of pillows to lie on next to my head. Long may it continue :). The dominant/oldest dog licks their ears and washes their face every morning, and the baby likes to have a good sniff and tries to lick my ears. Glad to be part of their family.