What does yawning mean?

A guy at work has had a Doberman for years and recently adopted a Whippet. They're getting along well, but the Whippet keeps yawning when they're out for a walk, and then the Doberman starts yawning too. Some people are saying they're happy together, some are saying they're stressed - any ideas?   

No idea but would think it means they're relaxed rather than stressed??

A dog yawning may be a way to deflect a threat, depends how they get along in general really, if they play together well or not.

As Kathy has said, a dog yawning is one of the first signs of stress, an attempt to calm the other person/dog down. If you watch dogs being mishandled or in stressful situations that spend a lot of time yawning, tongue flicking or licking their noses.

If I yawn at Biscuit she yawns back at me though lol, I guess it must be catching amongst all species!

I'd say perhaps in this case she/he could be a little nervous/stressed and the other pooch could be trying to to calm him/her xx

Yawning is a behaviour with more than one meaning. Of course, it can mean that a dog is tired, but it can also mean that s/he's stressed or nervous. It is necessary to look at the context to interpret. It seems unlikely that a dog would express tiredness when it's out for a walk as walkies are very exciting occasions. If a dog yawns when it's out for a walk, I would not interpret that as the dog being relaxed.

When I picked up my dog from the rescue in Glasgow, we came back (to Edinburgh) on the train as I wanted to give him my full attention for the journey (not possible when you're driving). He yawned repeatedly as we travelled and i recall wondering how he could have been so tired.

I now know that it can be a sign of stress. And, as if to prove it on this occasion, he also farted terribly all the way back to Edinburgh and the air in the train carriage turned green. Both of these behaviours can be (not always) signs of stress and nervousness. And in the situation that I describe, how could he not be nervous? 9 months behind bars at the SSPCA, what on earth was now happening in his little life?

So, in my experience, yes, yawning has been observed certainly as a sign of stress. On balance, I would say that the D and the W may also be expressing anxiety. However, it will be important to see how the behaviour develops over time.

Wouldn't know but as Rach says when I yawn Vin does too.   

Hope this helps

Why do dogs yawn?
When a dog yawns, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s tired. Dogs yawn for a variety of reasons. Evidence suggests that yawning helps cool off the brain, providing it with extra oxygen and boosting the heart rate. Yawning also helps a dog calm down or charge themselves up. Dogs prepping for agility courses will often yawn at the starting line as they get ready to navigate the course. Yawns can signify stress or excitement for dogs. You’ll often see dogs yawning in the waiting room at a veterinary office out of stress and anxiety. Dogs that yawn during obedience training are often stressed or frustrated when they are trying to please their master but don’t know how. Psychologists also believe that dogs yawn as a way to build social connections.

Thank you everyone, that was really helpful. Yes, I think the Whippet is yawning because she's a bit stressed (no wonder really!) and the Doberman is trying to reassure her. The guy that owns them is a very experienced dog owner, and a very caring one, so I'm sure the 2 dogs are going to be very good friends    The Whippet's original owner went to prison, so then the dog went to rescue, and then she had 2 homes in 2 weeks, but is now in a home where she won't be given up on.