Let’s be honest — some dogs don’t just drool. They perform it. You’ve seen the type. They shake their head after a drink and redecorate your walls. They rest their chin on your knee and leave a sticky souvenir. They make you keep a towel in every room of the house.
And weirdly? Their owners wouldn’t have it any other way.
Drooling in dogs usually comes down to anatomy — loose jowls, deep flews, brachycephalic (short-nosed) faces, or massive heads. Saliva builds up, gravity takes over, and suddenly your pants have a damp spot the shape of a dog chin.
Not all dogs drool, of course. But the ones that do? They drool with commitment.
Here are ten breeds that turn drool into an art form — plus a few honorable mentions for good measure.
1. St. Bernard
The original drool ambassador. Thanks to that famous 1990s movie, the St. Bernard is the first dog most people picture when they hear the word “drool.” And for good reason. Those massive jowls and loose lips are basically saliva reservoirs waiting for gravity to do its job. St. Bernards are gentle, patient, and famously good with children — but they’re also famous for leaving a wet trail wherever they go. A St. Bernard owner without a drool towel is like a cowboy without a hat. It just doesn’t work.
2. Basset Hound
Short legs, long ears, and a never-ending supply of drool. Basset Hounds don’t drool constantly — they operate on a schedule. After drinking water. After eating. After a good nap. And especially after catching an interesting scent that gets those jowls working. Because their loose lips hang so low, saliva pools in the folds and then… releases. Usually onto your couch. Basset owners learn to keep towels near the dog’s favorite sleeping spots. It’s not a flaw. It’s a feature.
3. Bloodhound
Every part of a Bloodhound is built for scent work — including those deep, exaggerated flews (the upper lip flaps). Those flews help trap scent particles close to the nose, which makes Bloodhounds incredible trackers. But the same anatomy also traps saliva. When a Bloodhound lifts its head after sniffing the ground for an hour? Let’s just say stand back. These dogs are affectionate, laid-back, and completely unaware that they just left a drool string from the floor to your hand.
4. Neapolitan Mastiff
If there were an Olympic event for drooling, the Neapolitan Mastiff would take gold every single time. This breed has so much loose skin that even their skin has wrinkles. Their jowls hang low, their lips are heavy, and their drool production is nothing short of legendary. Neapolitan Mastiffs are calm, protective, and loyal — but they are also wet. Owners describe keeping “drool rags” stationed around the house like fire extinguishers. You may not need them often. But when you do, you really do.
5. English Bulldog
The Bulldog’s adorable, smooshed face comes with a trade-off. Their brachycephalic (short-nosed) skull, combined with an undershot jaw, means their lips don’t seal perfectly. Saliva escapes. Frequently. And because they tend to drool more after excitement or exercise, you’ll often find a happy Bulldog standing over a small puddle of its own making. They’re not being messy. They’re just built that way. Wipe their chin, give them a treat, and move on. It’s the Bulldog way.
6. Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux (say it with confidence: “Dogg doh Bor-doe”) has one of the largest heads in the canine world. That enormous head comes with enormous flews, and enormous flews come with enormous drool. This French mastiff breed is calm, devoted, and surprisingly gentle for its size — but it is also wet. Visitors to a Dogue owner’s home quickly learn not to wear dark pants. The drool shows up white against black fabric every single time.
7. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a gentle giant with a giant drool problem — but here’s the thing. Danes don’t just drool. They fling. Because their heads are so high off the ground, a simple head shake after drinking water can send drool flying across the room. Owners have reported finding saliva on ceilings, walls, and once, improbably, inside a closed cupboard. Great Danes are sweet, loyal, and completely unaware of the aerial drool hazard they present. Love them from a safe distance after water bowl time.
8. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are massive, fluffy, water-resistant, and drooly. Those loose lips served a purpose historically — helping the breed work as water rescue dogs in icy Canadian waters. But the same lips that helped them save lives now leave sticky trails across kitchen floors. Newfies are famously sweet-tempered and excellent with children, but they are also famously messy. A Newfoundland without drool is like a beach without sand. Technically possible. But you’d be suspicious.
9. Boxer
Boxers are enthusiastic, playful, and completely unaware of their own drool. Because they have a brachycephalic (short-nosed) face and loose lips, saliva builds up quickly — especially when they’re excited. And Boxers are always excited. A Boxer greeting you at the door will often leave a wet mark on your hand, your pant leg, and possibly the wall behind you after a good head shake. They mean well. They just express their joy… moistly.
10. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a stunningly beautiful breed — thick coat, gentle expression, loyal demeanor. And drool. Not as famous for it as the Mastiffs or St. Bernards, but ask any Berner owner and they’ll confirm: those loose lips produce a surprising amount of sticky, stringy saliva. It tends to show up after drinking, eating, or simply looking at food. Berners are calm, loving family dogs. They just happen to also be walking drool dispensers. Consider the towel your new accessory.
Honorable Mentions
Cane Corso – This Italian mastiff breed has tight lips compared to its cousins, but don’t be fooled. After exercise or excitement, the Corso can produce drool that would impress a St. Bernard.
English Mastiff – The heaviest drooler that didn’t make the top ten. English Mastiffs produce volume, but the Neapolitan took its spot for sheer theatricality.
Black and Tan Coonhound – Scent hounds like the Basset and Bloodhound, Coonhounds have those same deep flews. The drool shows up after tracking — or after a good nap on your couch.
FAQ: Everything You Wondered About Dog Drool (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Are there any “dry mouth” dog breeds that don’t drool much?
Yes. While no dog is 100% drool-free, several breeds have tight lip structures and minimal saliva escape. Top low-drool large breeds include the Leonberger, Borzoi, Old English Sheepdog, Doberman Pinscher, and Standard Poodle. Among smaller dogs, the Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, and Greyhound are known for keeping their drool to themselves.
What causes excessive drooling in dogs?
Drooling falls into two categories: normal and medical.
Normal drooling happens due to:
- Breed anatomy – Loose jowls and deep flews trap saliva
- Food anticipation – Smelling something delicious gets the glands going
- Excitement or stress – Some dogs drool during greetings or vet visits
- Sleep position – Head lower than mouth = gravity wins
Medical drooling (call your vet):
- Dental disease – Infected teeth or gum inflammation
- Nausea or motion sickness – Often with lip licking or lethargy
- Heatstroke – Heavy panting plus thick drool in hot weather
- Toxins – Certain plants, toads, or chemicals
- Bloat (GDV) – Emergency: drooling, retching, swollen abdomen
When should I worry about my dog’s drooling?
You know your dog’s normal. Worry if:
- Your dog isn’t normally a drooler but suddenly starts
- Drooling comes with vomiting, lethargy, appetite loss, or bad breath
- You see blood in the saliva or your dog is pawing at their mouth
- Your dog has a distended abdomen and is retching (possible bloat — go to an emergency vet)
Can I stop my dog from drooling so much?
For anatomy-related drooling (loose jowls, deep flews): Not really. That’s just how they’re built. But you can manage it:
- Keep drool towels in every room
- Tie a bandana around their neck to catch drips
- Wipe their mouth after drinking
For medical drooling, treat the underlying cause. Your vet can check for dental issues, nausea, or other problems. Once the cause is resolved, the drooling usually stops.
Do male dogs drool more than females?
Generally no, with one exception. Intact (unneutered) males may drool more when they smell a female in heat. When they sniff receptive female urine, their salivary glands can kick into overdrive. Neutered males and females don’t typically show this specific trigger.
Why does my dog drool so much in the car?
Motion sickness. Just like humans, dogs can feel nauseous during car rides. Nausea triggers excess saliva production as the body prepares for vomiting. Talk to your vet about anti-nausea medication before long trips, and try short, positive car experiences to build tolerance.
Is drooling linked to a dog’s lifespan?
Fascinatingly, yes — research suggests a connection. A 2024 genomic study found that breeds known for hypersalivation (like Newfoundlands, Bloodhounds, and Mastiffs) have an average lifespan of 8.8 years, compared to 9.3 years for other large breeds. The study identified specific genes (including PACSIN2 and IGFS1) linked to both drooling and longevity. That said, this doesn’t mean every drooly dog will have a short life — responsible breeding and excellent care make a huge difference.
Why does my dog shake his head and fling drool everywhere?
Two reasons. First, after drinking water, dogs shake their heads to remove excess moisture — including saliva pooling in their jowls. Second, some breeds with deep flews naturally build up saliva in those lip pockets. A good head shake sends it flying. It’s normal. It’s also why many drooly-breed owners learn to duck.
Final Thought
Drool isn’t a bug. It’s a feature. Every breed on this list was built for something remarkable — tracking, guarding, rescuing, or simply loving their families. The drool is just part of the package. And honestly? Most owners wouldn’t trade it.
Keep a towel nearby. Watch out for head shakes. And wear your dog’s drool like the badge of honor it is!
