Do Boxer Dogs Drool? Health Issues, Tips, & FAQ

There’s no denying that, as much as we love our dogs, they have some unpleasant habits and traits. Drooling is one trait shared by several dogs, especially Bloodhounds, Saint Bernards, and Great Danes. But what about the Boxer? Do they drool a lot?

The answer, while not strictly definitive, is sometimes. Some Boxers drool more than others, but most don’t drool nearly as much as the worst of the drooling canines. To learn how to stop your Boxer from drooling so much and other helpful tips to stay slobber-free, read on!

Why Do Boxers Sometimes Drool?

Although all Boxers are unique, and some may drool more than others, the main reason they have a tendency to drool is their brachycephalic face.

If this is your first time hearing the term, brachycephalic refers to a dog with a flatter face and a shorter snout than your typical long-snouted dog. Boston Terriers, Bullmastiffs, Bulldogs, and several other breeds are brachycephalic, and because of their flat, short faces, they drool much more than dogs with longer snouts.

What’s ironic is that their pushed-in face is what makes Boxers so endearing. However, at the same time, it causes respiratory problems that cause more drooling. The fact is that salivating is a mechanism that all dogs use to cool themselves down when they’re hot. But, because of their brachycephalic face, a Boxer’s airflow is restricted by short, narrow nostrils. This causes drooling since their saliva can’t evaporate fast enough.

Can You Tell if a Boxer Puppy Will Be a Big Drooler?

With dogs, many traits are evident when they’re puppies. Drooling, however, is not one of those traits. It’s incredibly difficult to tell if a boxer puppy will drool more once they become an adult. The reason is that drooling depends on the shape of their face and head, and, as a puppy, it’s difficult to determine the final shape of their head.

One of the biggest factors that prevents or causes drooling is the shape of your Boxer’s lips and the way they curl. If, for example, your boxer’s lips curl inward, a lot of the saliva they make will be swallowed rather than drooled over everything. If their lips curl outward, however, drooling is almost an inevitability. Unfortunately, their lip curl is also something you can’t determine when your Boxer is a pup.

What Can You Do to Reduce Your Boxer Dog’s Drooling?

Depending on the shape of your Boxer’s head and the curl of their lips, preventing them from drooling might be difficult, if not impossible. Some Boxers will inevitably drool more than others, and there’s not a lot you can do about it besides having a towel handy at all times to wipe it off their face. However, below are several tips to keep your pup’s drooling to a minimum.

Go for Walks When It’s Cooler Outside

Dogs pant and drool more when they get hot to cool off. If you find your Boxer is drooling excessively when you take them for a walk on a hot day, go for that walk earlier in the morning or later in the day when it’s cooler out. They will salivate less and thus drool less.

Look for Shady Places When Outside with Your Boxer

If you find yourself out and about with your Boxer on a hot day, look for a shady place where they can stay cooler. They might not stop drooling but will probably drool a lot less.

Give Your Boxer Cold, Fresh Water

Providing fresh, cold water to cool them off will lessen their need to salivate and pant, which should cut down on all the slobber.

Can Drooling Be a Sign of Health Issues?

While it’s 100% normal for a Boxer to drool, sometimes, their drooling is caused by an underlying health issue. Below, we’ve listed several possible reasons your Boxer might excessively drool due to something other than their flat face and funky lips.

Motion Sickness

Many dogs, even those that don’t drool a lot, will drool in the car due to motion sickness. Motion sickness causes nausea, and nausea causes a dog to make more saliva and drool. If you find this happening, you might wish to speak with your veterinarian about specific ways you can desensitize your Boxer to car rides.

Upset Stomach

If your Boxer happens to eat something they shouldn’t, especially something toxic like a plant or chemical, their drooling will increase substantially. Drooling can also be caused by something that isn’t particularly toxic but upsets your Boxer’s tummy. For example, swallowing the stuffing from a toy they destroyed can cause drooling.

Heat Stroke

When a Boxer is overheated, they can suffer from a heat stroke. If this happens, they will typically drool excessively to cool down. If your boxer suddenly begins to drool excessively, becomes lethargic, and cannot walk steadily, you must take them to the veterinarian immediately.

Bloat

Gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), commonly called bloat, is when a dog’s stomach becomes twisted and enlarged. Although there’s no exact cause identified, bloat usually happens after a dog eats a large meal or drinks a large volume of water and then exercises heavily.

If your boxer is drooling heavily, their abdomen is enlarged, and they’re vomiting and restless, you must bring them to your veterinarian immediately. In severe cases, bloat can kill a dog in hours.

Other Health Issues

Several other health issues can cause your Boxer to drool excessively, including kidney disease, rabies, a sinus infection, liver disease, or botulism (aka food poisoning). If your Boxer has recently started to drool heavily, even though the weather and temperature haven’t changed, a trip to your veterinarian is essential. They can perform a health exam to determine what, if anything, is causing the excessive drooling.

Which Breeds Drool the Most?

As we’ve seen, the Boxer drools moderately in most cases. Some boxers drool very little, while others drool a bit more, but they aren’t on the same level as some of the heaviest droolers in the dog world. Those breeds include the following:

Which Dog Breeds Drool the Least?

While all dogs can drool, certain breeds drool far less than others. If you’re looking for a canine companion that won’t be drooling on you (and everything else) all the time, the following breeds are a good choice.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about adopting a Boxer and wondering whether they drool excessively, the good news is that, among drooling dogs, they tend to drool the least. However, some Boxers drool more than others. The curl of their lips as adults will determine how much saliva they make more than anything else.

Regardless of their drooling, Boxers are affectionate, intelligent dogs. They don’t shed nearly as much as other breeds, which is something to keep in mind if you’re worried about cleaning up after your new dog. We hope the tips and advice in this article help you make the best choice and get a dog that will fill your life with love and companionship, no matter how much they drool.

Featured Image Credit: travelarium.ph, Shutterstock