Why do dogs lick humans? Is it a form of affection? Is it to clean them? Is it to get the salt off their body? (I’d like to think of it as affection)
Thanks
Because he’s male.
Oh, it’s a dog? Sorry. 
Dogs lick their owners to indicate that they feel they need them, that they are part of the “family”.
could be the peanut butter.
Because he can?
Well, he also licks his testicles, doesn’t he? So I would agree that it is a sign of affection.
Am I the only one who get this?
Mahaloth got it right. In wolf packs, subordinate wolfs lick at the mouths of the pack leaders when they greet them - it’s generally considered a carry over from puppyhood when the parents used to feed the pups by regurgitating food.
I’ve heard that pups will lick their Mom to encourage her to give them food.
Ah, found a cite, which also includes other theories. Sounds like it’s mostly affection.
Isn’t the “dog” male? The “bitch” female? How come they are all lumped into dog? My dog licks me because she loves me. She doesn’’ lick my mouth, she licks my leg. Go figure. I choose to think it is love. She, however, has not forgotten her wolf ancestry.
Affection, grooming, submission…why not ask your pet?
Perhaps we should ask the pet psychologist.
Dog is to human as bitch is to woman.
Don’t read that the wrong way, please.
Does anyone know what is to man?
It is affection, deep affection- yes! - he’s hoping you’ll vomit so he can eat it; what husband would do that for you?
I’ve always heard sire as the male dog.
Mahaloth, I got it.
I don’t believe the term ‘sire’ is appropriate unless the dog has, you know, sired a litter; I’m looking at my dogs AKC pedigree right now and it states ‘sire’ for the male dog and ‘dam’ is for the female dog in the pedigree.