WATCH: Dog smiles for the camera

Every time the five month old American Staffordshire Terrier hears „say cheese” he breaks into a toothy grin to melt the heart.

Then again, Herbert has a lot to smile about. Things looked bad for the Amstaff last month when he was stricken with canine influenza in a dog pound.

PAWS Chicago, an American rescue shelter with a no-euthanasia policy, took him into their care shortly after Christmas and have seen him blossom under the foster care of animal lover Amanda Robles.

Rescue puppy Herbert smiles whenever his owner says cheese

Sarah McDonald, an associate director for media and community relations at PAWS Chicago, says: „The best thing about the video is seeing Herbert come out of his shell. When he first came to us, he was really timid and he displayed some signs showing he was under-socialised. His feet were splayed, which probably means he may have spent a lot of his puppyhood in a cage.

Now that he made you laugh, help him find a home

Amanda Robles

It is hoped that he will be available for adoption in coming weeks after he has got over the flu.

Amanda posted the video on her Facebook page with the following message: „This little rockstar will be up for adoption in about two weeks. He’s such a sweet boy and always wants to sleep in your lap. Now that he made you laugh, help find him a home.”