Are you thinking about bringing a Boxer into your home and worried about the potential drooling? An awesome dog breed, but do Boxers drool a lot? They are loyal and protective, goofy and playful. They have a lot of qualities that make them a great addition to any household. But when a dog drools, it can create a lot of extra work and “clean up” that can be frustrating. It’s an important question worth investigating.
So, do Boxers drool? Yes. The Boxer, in general, is known for being a light to moderate drooler. Not every Boxer will drool, however, because the shape of the jaw and lips can vary between individuals, causing some dogs to drool more than others. Excessive drooling can be indicative of an underlying health issue, so it is never safe to assume that your Boxer’s drooling is strictly because it’s a Boxer.
Rest assured that there are traits that you can look for in a puppy that may indicate it will be a light drooler. There are also preventative measures that you can take to minimize drooling, and by educating yourself, you can learn when to expect normal drooling and what measures to take so that it doesn’t become a messy problem in the home.
Check the Jaw and Lips
Have you ever noticed that on some Boxers, their lips curl inward and on others their lips curl outward?
This is a trait of “loose-lipped” breeds and is an indicator of the dog’s likeliness for excessive drooling.
If you are looking at puppies and worried about drooling, try to pick a Boxer pup that has inward curling lips.
Inward curling Boxer lips cause the saliva that builds up inside the mouth to be funneled back into the throat and swallowed.
Outward curling Boxer lips have the opposite effect. The saliva is left to drain out as drool.
Selecting for this trait does not always guarantee that your Boxer puppy will be a light drooler.
A Boxer pup isn’t fully grown for at least two years, so there is a chance that as your puppy grows, its lips may change shape. If you plan on adopting an older dog, the shape of the lips is a great indicator of its tendency to drool.
Brachycephalic Dogs, Exercise and Hot Weather
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Boxer is a brachycephalic breed.
Brachya…what?!
A brachycephalic dog means that the shape of their head causes them to have problems regulating their body temperature through normal breathing and panting. With their shortened muzzles, they have a harder time of it than other breeds.
This means that when it is hot outside or your dog has had a lot of exercise, be prepared for drooling.
Make sure to provide your Boxer with abundant fresh cool water and give them a shady cool place to rest. This is one of those moments where drooling is normal, and you can prepare for it by having a special drool cloth or wipes handy to clean up any splatters.
Brush Your Boxer’s Teeth!
One of the best ways to prevent excessive Boxer drooling is by preventing teeth and gum problems for your Boxer.
A build-up of plaque, gum disease, mouth abscesses, bone splinters, broken teeth, and a range of other mouth associated health problems can cause more drooling than normal.
Most dog owners just assume that the amount of saliva their dog produces is normal and they never look in their dog’s mouth to check out the whole story.
One of the best preventative measures that you can take to manage the health of your Boxer is by brushing her teeth.
Many veterinarians recommend that you brush your dog’s teeth daily, though others recommend that a weekly brushing is sufficient. This will help avoid the doggy dentist.
The important thing is to be aware of any changes in your dog’s mouth that may affect their health. If you notice a sudden increase in your dogs drooling, it’s a great idea to first check out their mouth to see if there are any obvious problems.
Why is My Boxer Drooling Excessively? Possible Boxer Health Problems
If your Boxer drooling all of a sudden, know that excessive drooling can also indicate other, more serious, health problems for your dog.
Certain liver and kidney conditions that only a veterinarian can diagnose can present themselves through lots of slobber. Respiratory diseases of the nose, sinuses, and the throat can also cause issues with excessive saliva generation.
If your dog has heavy drooling but seems perfectly healthy, your dog may be suffering from a low-grade poisoning! Certain people foods such as chocolate, raisins or even chewing gum (remember, most dogs eat ANYTHING!) will cause your dog stomach discomfort and consequently, increased drooling.
You might not have even considered that the flowers in your garden can also be making your dog ill!
Exposure to tulips and azaleas are notoriously bad for your dog and could potentially be the cause of excessive drooling.
Other causes, from stress and anxiety to car sickness can be responsible for your dog’s copious drooling.
How to Stop Boxer Drooling (or Slow it Down, at Least!)
If you want to take steps to prevent excessive slobber from your Boxer, or are worried about drooling being an issue when you bring home your new puppy, just keep these tips in mind.
- Brush your Boxer’s teeth regularly and look in their mouth frequently to check for injuries, abscesses, other infections or tumors.
- Take care of your dog’s environment so they are not exposed to potential environmental hazards such as toxic plants or human treats that can do them harm.
- Take your Boxer to the vet for a regular check-up to rule out any serious health problems.
- Try to keep your Boxer’s life as stress-free as possible.
- Give them lots of cool water and shade (or AC indoors) after exercise or in hot weather to help them regulate their body temperature.
Remember: Boxer Drooling is Normal!
It is completely normal for your dog to drool just before or after feeding time or after drinking water.
You should also expect a certain amount of slobber during hot weather or after exercise.
Also, keep in mind that puppies have a tendency for increased drooling when they are teething.
If your Boxer drools a moderate amount, remember that it is part of the package you get with the Boxer breed.
Related Questions
Some handy solutions for dealing with dog drool include tying a bandana around their dog’s neck to keep handy for wiping up imminent slobber dribbles. It’s also a good idea to place a towel or rug around their feeding area. And be sure to clean dog drool slobbered around the home before it dries! Because dog drool can contain bacteria that might be harmful to children and vulnerable adults, it’s a good idea to use a light bleach or other antibacterial solution when wiping up the mess. To get drool stains out of your clothing, it’s a good idea to use a pre-wash solution and to lightly scrub the area with a toothbrush.
The Boxer, despite being a natural drooler, does not make it into the lists of the worst offenders. Other breeds, like the Saint Bernard, are famous for their abundant slobber. The Bernese Mountain Dog, Pitbull, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Newfoundland are all breeds that are famous for their tendency to drool abundantly.
