Let’s be honest here – we love our four-legged friends unconditionally, but some dogs come with a bit more “character” than others. You know what I mean – that unmistakable aroma that hits you when you walk through the front door, or those precious slobbery kisses that leave you wiping your face (and shirt, and couch) afterward. If you’re considering adding a new family member who might come with some extra fragrance and moisture, buckle up. These ten breeds are absolutely wonderful companions, but they definitely bring their own unique scents and slobber to the table.
Saint Bernard: The Gentle Giant with a Slobber Problem
Picture this: you’re relaxing on your couch when suddenly your Saint Bernard shakes his massive head, sending drool flying in every direction like a sprinkler system gone rogue. Saint Bernards are also prone to drooling and often have double strings, known as shoestrings, hanging from their jowls. Perhaps the drooliest of all droolers is the Saint Bernard. Prepare for drool to go flying when these big dogs shake their enormous heads; their large jowls collect a ton of it.
One of the largest contributors to a Saint Bernard’s smell is their excessive drooling. If an owner of a Saint Bernard does not maintain the consistent drooling, it is possible for the drool to turn into a distinctively foul smell. Their thick double coats trap moisture and odors, making regular grooming absolutely essential. Think of it like maintaining a giant, lovable, slobbering teddy bear.
Basset Hound: The Walking Aroma Factory
Basset Hounds are prone to bloat and gassiness, which means they’re also prone to odor. Their long, floppy ears can also get foul-smelling infections. Those adorable droopy ears that make them look so sweet? They’re basically moisture traps waiting to happen.
As any Basset Hound owner will tell you, this loveable clown of a breed – originally kept as a hunting dog – produces an insane amount of drool daily. Basset Hounds are known to be extreme droolers and with that comes the funky, always damp smell that coats your floors and furnishings so designated easy-wash blankets are a must for pet parents of this breed. They’re sweethearts, but they definitely leave their mark on everything they touch.
English Bulldog: Wrinkles Equal Trouble
Bulldogs are notorious for their strong odor, which can be attributed to their wrinkled skin, drooling tendencies, and natural body oils. The folds in their skin trap moisture and dirt, which can create a musty or sour smell if not properly cleaned and dried. Those cute wrinkles everyone loves? They’re like little pockets collecting everything you don’t want them to collect.
English bulldogs drool due to their floppy jowls and facial structure. Plus, their flat faces make them champion mouth-breathers, which doesn’t help with the drool situation. It’s like having a snoring, slobbering roommate who never pays rent but steals your heart anyway.
Cocker Spaniel: Beauty with a Price
Cocker spaniels get first place for the smelliest breed, if they aren’t kept well-groomed. Known for being one of the most loving companions, Cocker Spaniels are another dog breed prone to odor problems. Their gorgeous flowing coats aren’t just for show – they’re oil magnets that require serious maintenance.
Cockers are known for having an oily coat that requires frequent bathing to avoid greasy buildup. Ear infections also go hand in hand with this breed. Those beautiful silky ears are basically bacterial playgrounds if you don’t keep them clean and dry.
Bloodhound: The Slobberhound Champion
Often called a nose with a dog attached, the Bloodhound is famous for their powerful sense of smell. They’re also known for drooling excessively, earning the nickname “slobberhound”. When you’ve got the best nose in the business, apparently everything else becomes a bit of a mess.
Much like Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds are known for their intense smell. Because of their loose skin and folds, they are consequently subject to horrible odors. Additionally, Bloodhounds are prone to allergies and infections in both their ears and skin, which is another cause of the undesirable smell.
Mastiff: Size Matters (And So Does Slobber)
Everything about the Mastiff is huge, including the amount of drool they produce. These gentle giants are typically clean house dogs, but Mastiff parents usually have a towel on hand to wipe the saliva off their pup’s face. When you’re dealing with a dog that can weigh as much as a small person, their drool production is proportionally massive too.
Both of our mastiffs had a very strong, musky dog odor no matter what. It’s like they come with their own permanent cologne – one that you either learn to love or learn to mask with industrial-strength air fresheners.
Boxer: The Athletic Drooler
The Boxer – classified as a brachycephalic breed due to its shortened snouts – is the dog to own if you’re ready to receive the most slobbery of kisses every other day. On my 3rd and 4th Boxer now……..They want to be around you, they are going to sit ON you, most of them are going to slobber/drool on your clothes and furniture, and yes, they fart a lot.
However, they can also be prone to odors due to their short coats with natural oils, skin folds, and tendency to drool, which can trap moisture and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Exercise often triggers even more saliva production in these dogs, resulting in additional slobber. So basically, the more active and happy they are, the more they’ll slobber all over you.
Pug: Small Dog, Big Problems
Pugs are famous for their adorable wrinkly faces. Yet, the wrinkles that cover their body can add to their stench. If not cleaned properly, the skin folds could gather dirt and get infected. Those squishy faces we all love to smoosh are basically dirt magnets.
Additionally, Pugs tend to drool more than other breeds, which can contribute to an unpleasant smell. They are best known for their slobbery kisses and tendency to drool because of their flat and wrinkled snouts. It’s amazing how much mess can come from such a small package.
Newfoundland: The Wet, Smelly Gentle Giant
However, this same thick coat and large size can contribute to a strong odor. Newfoundlands are large, water-loving dogs with thick, dense coats that can trap odors. Their love of water can lead to a frequent wet dog smell if they are not dried properly. Additionally, their size and coat can make them prone to drooling and skin infections, which can contribute to their overall smelliness.
The Newfie is a gentle giant that produces a gigantic amount of drool. As a bonus, the Newfoundland’s long, thick coat often catches drool and becomes saturated. Owners of these dogs spend a lot of time wiping drool off their dog’s face (as well as wiping down any surface the Newfie is around!) It’s like owning a giant, walking, drooling mop.
Shar Pei: Wrinkles Gone Wrong
Petplan highlights that the skin folds around a Shar Pei’s face and tail can contribute to yeast infections and other skin issues, making regular bathing essential for maintaining their health. Shar Peis are prone to a condition called ‘Hereditary Cutaneous Hyaluronosis,’ where the skin blisters and releases hyaluron if the blister is ruptured. This can result in infections with an unpleasant odor.
Shar-peis can get bacterial infections in the folds of their skins like some of the other breeds we’ve talked about here. Those distinctive wrinkles that make them look like they’re permanently frowning? They require more maintenance than a vintage car to keep them clean and odor-free.
Living With Your Aromatic, Drooly Best Friend
Here’s the thing about these wonderfully messy breeds – they don’t know they’re stinky or drooly, and they certainly don’t care. Like all smelly dog breeds, we still love them despite their occasional odors. These 12 dog breeds may rank among the smelliest, their loving nature and unique personalities make them beloved companions. They’re too busy being loyal, loving, and absolutely devoted to their families.
The key to success with these breeds is acceptance and preparation. Stock up on towels, invest in washable furniture covers, and embrace the fact that your house will never smell like a fancy hotel lobby. But in return, you’ll get a companion who loves you unconditionally, slobber and all. Living with a dog that drools requires a degree of acceptance and proactive management. Pet owners of drooling breeds often keep absorbent towels or bandanas on hand to wipe away excess saliva.
Remember, every dog is an individual. Some Saint Bernards might be relatively tidy while some supposedly “clean” breeds can surprise you with their own special aromas. The most important thing? Choose a dog based on temperament, energy level, and how well they fit your lifestyle – not just their potential for creating interesting smells. After all, there’s no shortage of air fresheners and washing machines, but there’s only one perfect dog for your family.
What would you have guessed about these lovably messy breeds before reading this?
