Meaning
A person may be suffering, struggling, or in turmoil inside, but their outward appearance hides it. Just as a dog sweats but its coat of long hair conceals the sweat, someone's smiling face or fine clothes can cover real hardship and pain. A reminder not to assume all is well just because it looks well on the surface.
Examples
-
She look happy but she a struggle — dog a sweat, but long hair hide it.
She looks happy but she's struggling — the outside hides the inner pain.
-
Dem look rich but dem in debt; dog a sweat, but long hair hide it.
They look rich but they're in debt; appearances hide the struggle.
Origin
A traditional proverb; the dog's sweat is hidden by its long hair. See [[tek-kin-teet-cover-heart-bun]].
How it’s used
Outward appearance hides inner suffering/struggle. See [[tek-kin-teet-cover-heart-bun]].