If you’re thinking about getting a canine companion, it can be worth doing some research on the dog breeds that are the biggest droolers — especially if cleaning up lots of doggy slobber each day is your idea of a nightmare.
While some people think drooling just adds to a pup’s character, others aren’t so keen about finding puddles of slobber all over their floors and furniture. It can also make playtime more difficult if your pup likes to play fetch or tug and keeps dropping the best dog toys at your feet all wet and slimy.
It’s worth noting that excessive dog drooling can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as dental issues, or a symptom of stress, so if your pup suddenly starts drooling more than normal, we recommend getting them checked over by a vet.
However, for the most part, some breeds simply dribble more than others and it’s worth being aware of which ones they are if the thought of a slobbery fur friend sounds less than appealing. With that in mind, here are the 32 dog breeds that are the biggest droolers.
32 dog breeds that the biggest droolers
1. Saint Bernard
Keep your cleaning clothes at the ready because you’ll certainly need them if you plan on welcoming a Saint Bernard into your home! Known for flipping their heads from side to side and ending up with slobber all around their muzzle (and likely your walls), this drooling is a result of their head shape and having their lips hanging down. However, that aside, Saint Bernards is one of our favorite types of large-breed dogs thanks to their gentle, charming, and patient nature. Watchful companions with a fondness for children, they are wonderfully empathic and very intelligent.
2. Neapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff has a lot of excess skin plus droopy jowls which make drooling impossible to avoid. They are huge dogs, reaching weights of up to 150 pounds with a standing height of around 31 inches, which gives them a very imposing presence. Watchful guard dogs, the sight of a Neopolitan Mastiff alone is enough to intimidate most people, and yet with those they love, this pup is incredibly loyal, gentle, and affectionate.
3. Boxer
An energetic and cheerful dog with a loyal and loving disposition, the boxer is a kind and charismatic pup that loves long play sessions with their favorite toys. Known for being very even-tempered, as long as they’re properly socialized, boxers are patient and gentle dogs who get on beautifully with children and other animals. Because they’re so devoted to their humans, boxers can be wary of strangers but they’re rarely aggressive and if introduced to lots of people from a young age, they’ll take meeting new people in their stride. Because of their large, open lips and brachycephalic faces, this breed tends to drool heavily.
4. Bullmastiff
A powerful and protective dog who craves human companionship, the bullmastiff is a gentle giant who can be quite the cuddle bug! Docile and sweet with those they love, this breed has outstanding guarding abilities and takes their job of defending their home and humans very seriously. While they are certainly imposing in their size, the bullmastiff has a patient nature that makes them well suited to life with children. A low-energy dog breed that’s happy with two short walks a day, they’re also eager to please, which makes training them a walk in the park.
5. Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a strong and powerful mastiff-type dog with a fearless and watchful nature. Large and muscular with a stocky build, they are very affectionate pups who are devoted to their families. But while they’re typically very placid, they also have a reputation for being stubborn, so when it comes to practical tips for training your dog on your own, you’ll need ample patience and lots of positive reinforcement on hand when it comes to training the Dogue de Bordeaux. This breed drools a lot, particularly after eating or drinking, and their facial folds need daily care to ensure they stay healthy.
6. Bulldog
You can thank genetics for the amount of drooling a bulldog does! They have an obvious under-bite which means their mouth doesn’t seal fully shut, resulting in an almost constant stream of dribble. However, if you can get past that, this kind, friendly, and docile dog makes a wonderfully loyal companion. Laid-back, lovable, and courageous, the bulldog has a gentle temperament that makes them well suited to homes with children.
7. Newfoundland
Newfoundland dogs (or newfies, as they’re often affectionately referred to) are sweet-tempered ‘nanny dogs’ well known for their love of children. Protective, gentle, and devoted, these friendly and sociable pups make a wonderful addition to the family and their placid nature means they also excel as therapy dogs. Heavy droolers and shedders, the newfie isn’t the best choice if you're concerned with cleanliness, but if a little mess doesn’t bother you, this breed will make for a loyal and loving companion.
8. Bernese Mountain dog
Big, strong, and built for hard work, the Bernese Mountain dog hails from Switzerland but their increasing popularity means that these days, they can be found all over the world. Fluffy, gentle giants with a calm and affectionate nature, they get on famously with children and adore family life. Eager to please and intelligent, the Bernese Mountain dog is easy to train and their gregarious and goofy demeanor makes them a delight to have around.
9. Basset hound
If you own a basset hound or have ever been around one, then you know that one of their most famous characteristics is their tendency to drool. Caused by the way their lips hang, this pup lets loose a whole lot of saliva, and yet for a lot of people, they make beloved companions. Tenacious, sweet, gentle, and placid with soulful eyes and droopy ears, the basset hound gets along well with everyone and while not as active as other breeds, they’ll still need a daily walk to keep them healthy and prevent weight gain.
10. Great Dane
Excessive drooling is part and parcel of owning a Great Dane, but don’t let that put you off — this breed is so much more than their slobber! Loving, devoted, and eager to please, the Great Dane is one of the most popular dog breeds, and they also happen to be one of the largest, too. Sociable pups that form strong bonds with their family, may have an imposing presence, but these dogs are big softies when it comes to their humans. Relatively low-energy, the Great Dane is a sweet soul who’s happiest chilling out at home with their favorite people.
11. Bloodhound
A large dog with a long, droopy face and wrinkled skin, one look at the bloodhound and you can tell this is a pup that’s going to drool a lot. Granted, the amount of saliva they let loose around the place is a major flaw, but many feel it’s a worthwhile trade when you consider this breed's gentle, patient, and loyal disposition. The bloodhound has around 320 million scent receptors in their nose (compared to the roughly six million we humans have) which makes them outstanding trackers and because they’re the furthest thing from lazy you can get, they’re one of the best dogs to hit the trails with.
12. Labrador Retriever
Everyone’s favorite friend, the lovable Labrador Retriever doesn’t drool as much as some other breeds, but they’re still known for being somewhat slobbery. However, most people don’t seem to mind because this pup is just so wonderfully gentle, kind, and even-tempered that it’s impossible not to adore them. One of the best dog breeds for companionship, the high-spirited Labrador Retriever has an endearing eagerness about them and they’re enthusiastic athletes who love keeping fit, whether by hiking, swimming or playing a good game of fetch.
13. Cane Corso
Notorious for drooling after eating and drinking, the cane corso is a noble, confident, and assertive dog whose lineage can be traced back to ancient Rome. Their name means ‘bodyguard dog’ in Latin and that’s exactly the role they like to play. While socializing a puppy is important for every breed, it’s particularly vital for guardian breeds like the cane corso who need to know how to interact with people and pets in a safe way. The good news is that this pup is highly trainable thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to please nature.
14. Clumber spaniel
A powerful bird dog with a heavy frame and robust build, the clumber spaniel has droopy upper lips that cause them to drool excessively. This can cause their coat to become matted and sticky, which is why regular grooming is so important. While they are far less popular than other spaniel breeds, the clumber spaniel is an excellent choice for families due to their gentle and calm disposition. Affectionate, eager to please, and easy to train, this pup is known to bond very closely with one human in particular and while friendly with all their family members, they can be aloof with strangers.
15. Shar pei
Independent guardians with a regal disposition, the shar pei is suspicious of strangers and other dogs, but very loving and affectionate with their owners. Easily recognizable thanks to their wrinkled appearance (which is also what causes them to drool), they are courageous pups who are very versatile and adaptable, making them one of the best dogs for apartment living — although be aware, they do bark a lot! The shar pei is very stubborn so they’re often better suited to experienced owners who can exercise plenty of firmness and patience when it comes to training them.
16. Great Pyrenees
When it comes to the best dog breeds for life on the farm, the Great Pyrenees is right up there. These large working dogs were originally bred to protect flocks and herds and while they certainly still have that in them, these days they also make gentle companions who are fiercely protective of their human family. Laid back and easygoing, the Great Pyrenees is especially fond of children and will go to great lengths to keep them safe. Independent and sensitive, they require patience with training and plenty of positive reinforcement.
17. Border terrier
There are few dogs as cheeky as the border terrier, which is what makes them such a marvelous addition to the family. Perfect for active households with lots going on, this little pup is playful, feisty, and always up for some fun. Smart and loving, the border terrier tends to be independent and self-assured and because they have a high prey drive, care needs to be taken if they’re going to be sharing a home with other pets.
18. Schnoodle
A cross between a schnauzer and a poodle, the adorable schnoodle comes in four different sizes and their coats can sport an array of colors. One of the dog breeds most likely to have separation anxiety, it’s not advisable to leave your people-loving schnoodle alone as they need constant companionship in order to stay happy and healthy. Friendly, loyal, and playful pups who get on well with children and other pets, the schnoodle is an intelligent dog who loves learning new tricks.
19. Cairn terrier
Extremely active dogs, the hardy, happy, and busy little cairn terrier is a fearless working dog who hails from the Isle of Sky in Scotland. Courageous and tenacious, these sensible and friendly pups excel in their role as family companions and do well with both novice and experienced dog owners. The cairn terrier doesn’t like being left alone for long periods and they’re very energetic, so they’re a good choice for those who love to exercise and are looking for a canine companion to keep them company on the trails.
20. Jack Russell Terrier
Inquisitive, high-spirited, and clownish, the Jack Russell Terrier is a lively and full of beans little dog who’s always up for an adventure. When it comes to hobbies you can do with your dog, the Jack Russell leaves you spoiled for choice with this pup being keen on hiking, camping, running, and almost anything else that lets them burn off some of their abundant energy. Like other terrier breeds, the Jack Russell is prone to barking (especially at other dogs), although early socialization can help reduce this natural tendency.
21. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are more likely to have a congenital condition called portosystemic shunt, which causes excessive saliva production and results in drooling. They also have large mouths that can hold a lot of saliva and this can also cause them to dribble. But putting up with this may be a small price to pay when you consider how kind, sweet-tempered, thoughtful, and calm this breed is. Gentle giants that are true softies at heart, the Irish Wolfhound is sensitive, mild-mannered, and makes an outstanding family dog.
22. Rottweiler
Because of their large, loose lips, finding slobber all over your floors is part and parcel of owning a rottweiler. Good-natured, loyal, and obedient, this breed does best with active families who will give them plenty of opportunities to move and burn off their energy. Confident protectors who are deeply devoted to their owners are courageous dogs who excel in law enforcement roles and thrive on human companionship. However, they require proper training from a young age to ensure their protective guarding instincts are channeled appropriately.
23. Boston Terrier
Always dressed in their Sunday best, the dapper Boston Terrier is the most stylish pup around thanks to their black and white tuxedo coat. Fondly referred to as the American gentleman, they are an amusing and mischievous breed with a gentle and even-tempered nature. While they can be stubborn and spunky at times (that’s the terrier in them), they are wonderfully happy and affectionate little dogs who will thrive in almost any living environment.
24. English Springer Spaniel
One of the smartest dog breeds, the English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog with bucket loads of energy and a cheerful disposition. Athletic pups who need lots of exercise to keep them happy, are highly sensitive and empathic which makes them a popular choice when it comes to service animals. Easy to train, they are very people-oriented and shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods.
25. American Staffordshire Terrier
A stocky and muscular dog with a devoted and loyal nature, the American Staffordshire Terrier may have an imposing appearance but they are known for loving and affectionate temperament. This breed forms particularly strong bonds with kids and because they’re so playful, they make wonderful childhood companions.
Intelligent and eager to please their owners, they’re a dream to train but all those smarts mean they can also quickly become destructive if they don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation. We highly recommend investing in the best dog puzzle toys to make sure their brains get a good daily workout and taking them on a good 60-minute walk each day.
26. Irish Water Spaniel
As with all large dog breeds, the Irish Water Spaniel has a tendency to drool, but given they have such fantastic personalities, we’re more than willing to let them off the hook. Sweet, gentle, and kind, the Irish Water Spaniel is quiet, even-tempered, laid-back, and very trainable. Plus, if you're looking for dogs that hardly shed, this breed is well worth considering as their dense curly coat sheds very little making them a good choice for allergy sufferers.
27. English Mastiff
A gentle giant with incredible strength, the English Mastiff is a mammoth dog that can weigh up to 220lbs — and their prominent jowls are famous for collecting saliva. A guardian breed whose ancestors can be traced back to ancient Greece, the English Mastiff has an imposing stature that can make them look intimidating, but they are softies at heart and are known for their loyal and affectionate nature. As with all guardian breeds though, they must be socialized well from a young age to ensure they grow up to be well-behaved members of the family.
28. Old English Sheepdog
The adorably shaggy Old English Sheepdog is famous for its peek-a-boo hairstyle, heavy drooling, and its rather striking resemblance to a bear! Kind, bubbly, and great with children, they are adaptable dogs with an easygoing disposition. Historically used to drive cattle and sheep to market, these days the Old English Sheepdog enjoys being at home with their family or competing in obedience and agility competitions.
29. Anatolian shepherd
A flock guardian of ancient lineage, the Anatolian shepherd is a bold and confident dog with strong protective instincts. Known to be highly territorial, they are wary and reserved around strangers but hugely loving and devoted to their human family. Hardworking pups who aren’t afraid to get their paws dirty, the Anatolian shepherd is independent and intelligent, but they need a strong, experienced, and kind owner as they have a mind of their own at times and can be challenging to train.
30. Black and tan coonhound
You’ll definitely want to brush up on ways to build more fun into your dog’s routine if you have a black and tan coonhound in your family as these active pups thrive on frequent exercise and lots of different activities to stimulate their minds. Good-natured and hardworking dogs who make excellent companions, the black and tan coonhound is known for their outstanding tracking and hunting abilities. Very protective of their family members, they are reserved around strangers and can be territorial at times.
31. Boerboel
With such large mouths and jowls, it goes without saying that the boerboel drools a lot, although not quite as excessively as some other breeds. While they make excellent guard dogs, the boerboel also has a calm, loving, and gentle nature with a deep fondness for children. Incredibly family-friendly, this breed originated in South Africa where they were used to defend homesteads from dangerous wildlife. They remain confident and territorial dogs who do best with experienced owners who know how to train them.
32. Gordon Setter
Known to drool more than the average breed, the handsome Gordon Setter is a bird dog who hails from Scotland. Fearless and smart, these outstanding hunters are highly athletic and thrive on being outdoors. While they’re confident and bold out in the field, they are sweetly affectionate at home — although it’s worth noting that they need a lot of exercise and space to move about, so they’re not the best fit for people who live in apartments.
