How to disable the android emoji when sending text smiley's on Samsung Galaxy S7?

[AC Question]

I own a Samsung Galaxy S7 through TMobile and whenever I send a text emoji like "<3" it pops up as a green android smiley with heart eyes.. It looks really bad and I can't seem to find out how to turn it off. I know you can do it with the old Galaxy's. How can I disable or fix this problem?

 

[Tim1954]

If you leave a space between the symbols like >> : - ) perhaps

 

[Tim1954]

Those squat little green ogres are quite revolting really...