Let’s face it: all dogs drool. It’s a perfectly natural behavior. Some dogs drool a little and some drool a lot. And with big dogs, even a little drool can be a lot!
This is why some people look for the large breeds that drool the least. Others couldn’t care less and simply take it in stride.
Some of the large breeds – think St. Bernards, Mastiffs, and Bloodhounds – are simply more likely to drool. This is primarily due to their head and lip shapes – they can’t hold all of the drool in their mouths. So, out it comes, either by slowly dripping or flying around when they shake their heads.
If less drooling is one of things you look for in your next (or first!) big dog, here are the breeds to consider first.
Doberman Pinscher
These muscular dogs made regular appearances on the original TV version of Magnum PI. They are portrayed as being vicious guard dogs and have a streamlined and strong body that is ideal for guarding property and people.
Doberman Pinschers don’t drool much and have relatively dry mouths. They are fast and powerful dogs, but they aren’t great swimmers.
If you want this breed to be friendly toward strangers, you will need to make sure that they are trained well from the time they are small puppies. Many people are surprised that Doberman Pinschers make great family dogs and are good with young children.
Dobermans have very easy to care for coats and require just a bit of brushing and nail trimming for grooming.
Dobermans can reach up to 100 pounds.
Greyhound
Greyhounds are best known for racing, but they make loveable and affectionate family dogs and don’t tend to drool.
This breed is known for its unique profile and has very narrow hindquarters.
Greyhounds are happy to hang out with you on the couch, but they are athletic dogs and require at least an hour of exercise every single day.
Greyhounds shed a moderate amount and have easy-to-care-for coats. They can weigh up to 70 pounds.
Standard Poodle
A lot of people think of a Standard Poodle as being a fussy dog, mostly because of how they are often portrayed in movies.
But Standard Poodles are highly intelligent and easy to train. They don’t have wet mouths and drool very little.
Standard Poodles make excellent family pets and get along well with kids. They are excellent swimmers and need a significant amount of exercise.
They also have hair rather than fur. While they don’t shed, their fur requires regular grooming to keep it in nice shape. Most people who own poodles as pets keep their hair relatively short for easy management.
Standard Poodles can weigh up to 70 pounds.
Border Collie
Border Collies are herding dogs that need a job to do and room to run in order to be happy. They do not make good apartment dogs, but they excel at agility training and agility competition.
These dogs don’t drool much.
Border Collies are extremely smart, but if you don’t keep this breed active, they can quickly become destructive.
Border Collies have beautiful flowing black and white coats that shed mostly seasonally, and they require regular brushing.
Border Collies can reach up to 55 pounds.
Shar-Pei
With all the folds of skin that this breed has, you would think that they would be excessive droolers, but they aren’t!
Shar-Peis make great family dogs and have easy to care for coats, but you do have to take special care of their skin flaps.
They make good watchdogs and are protective of their people and need a moderate amount of exercise.
The Shar-Pei can reach up to 60 pounds and are known for being smart and loyal dogs.
Leonberger
This playful and fun-loving breed is not a heavy drooler and is a truly large dog that reaches up to 170 pounds.
Leonbergers are gentle giants and are wonderful with family dogs and especially good with young children. They are graceful and elegant dogs and are wonderfully patient with every member of the family.
Their coats are long and waterproof and require regular brushing to keep in shape.
Leonbergers do best in environments where they have room to romp and lots of love and affection. They are smart and gentle dogs with near lion-like manes and big fluffy tails.
German Shepherd
This breed is wildly smart and can make a great family dog as long as it is sufficiently engaged.
German Shepherds don’t drool much at all. They are working dogs and need a significant amount of stimulation and exercise.
German Shepherds do shed quite a bit and need to be brushed fairly regularly. They have a protective nature and make excellent watchdogs.
This breed is known to be loyal, steady, and courageous.
They benefit from good training and can learn many different tasks.
German Shepherds are often used in the police force and in the military because of their high level of adaptability.
These dogs can reach up to 70 pounds.
Labrador Retriever
One of the most popular dogs in the United States, this beautiful family companion has a very low level of drooling.
Labradors are excellent companions and don’t know any strangers. They are friendly and affectionate with easy-to-care-for coats. But they do shed quite a lot.
This breed is great with young kids and loves family life. Labradors like to swim, hike, and even run with their people.
Labradors need a lot of exercise, and you should plan on walking them twice a day and playing lots of fetch.
This breed can reach up to 70 pounds.
Golden Retriever
These beautiful dogs make outstanding pets and drool very little.
They have feathered coats and can shed quite a lot. However, their coats are easy to take care of and they just need to be brushed and bathed regularly.
Like Labradors, Golden Retrievers don’t know a stranger and will play with nearly anyone they meet.
They are smart and adaptable dogs and are good with family life, young kids, and other dogs.
Goldens are eager-to-please and easy to train, but they do need a lot of exercise. They love to swim and fetch and are happiest when they are active with their families.
Golden Retrievers can weigh up to 75 pounds.
American Staffordshire Terrier
This powerful breed hardly ever drools.
These dogs are low shedders with extremely easy-to-care-for coats.
They are good family dogs and make solid watchdogs.
Be sure to get your AmStaff from a quality and responsible breeder, because they can be inbred and end up with personality issues.
These dogs have a loveable nature and are highly trainable. They are very aware of their surroundings and have coats that come in many different patterns and colors.
AmStaffs can weigh up to 70 pounds.