translation for snarl and growl

Question

Talking about dogs, what's the difference between "growl" and "snarl"?

Well, I read this thread:

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php't=908406

But I don't completely understand. I would like to know the difference in Spanish. It seems to me, both mean 'gruñir', but perhaps 'snarl' is more threatening'. But, in Spanish, what words would you use?

By the way, what would be the best translation for 'perro bravo'', e.g. Beware! that is a ferocious/fierce/vicious(') dog? Thank you,

Answer 1

Pablo,
I don't know if this helps you. Our police K-9 warning stickers here say "Perro Malo." This may or may not be grammatically correct, but it does get the point across.

Answer 2

Well, here a short sentence including both words:

My dog growls to other dogs but first he snarls at them. He only likes to play with people. It's not a fierce dog.

Mi perro les gruñe a otros perros, pero primero les muestra los dientes. A El solo le gusta jugar con personas. No es un perro bravo.

Thank you,

Answer 3

A snarl is the beginning of a growl, when the dog starts to show its teeth with a low growl. A growl is louder, it is the prelude to a bark. In spanish there is not much difference between snarl and growl. They are either called gruñido or gruñir. A bark is called a ladrido.

I would say un perro bravo is a fierce dog. I don't think a dog needs to be ferocious or vicious to be called fierce. Bravo means more like brave or valiant, he fights when he needs to. To me a vicious or ferocious dog is one that attacks his own shadow.