Do Rottweilers Drool a Lot? (or a Little?)

A few weeks ago while watching a family movie, I noticed a Rottweiler with shoestrings of drool hanging from his jowls. It was funny for the movie but it got me to wondering do Rottweilers drool a lot…or if it was just movie magic.

So do Rottweilers drool? Yes, Rottweilers drool – just like every dog breed. Some will drool when they are thirsty or hungry and some will drool all the time. However, how much they drool really depends on the individual Rottweiler (just like with every other breed). Male Rotties often drool more than females due to their head shape, but females can drool as much as a male…and sometimes even more.

But get this:

Some Rottweilers don’t drool much at all!

Keep reading to find out how Rottweiler’s different head shapes determine the drool.

Rottweiler Head Shape and Size Will Affect Drool Amount

When I talk about the size of the Rottweiler affecting whether he drools more or less, I am not talking about the whole dog. Instead, I am just talking about the size of his head.

Dogs with larger heads tend to have more jowls, and this can lead to a Rottweiler producing more drool than others.

Often this is driven by the gender of the dog:

Male Rottweilers tend to drool more than females.

We covered head size – now let’s talk Rottweiler head shape.

A main reason why Rotties drool more than other breeds is head shape.

Rottweilers tend to have large heads and very loose upper lips (known as flews). In some Rotties, the upper lips hang down over the lower jaw, causing saliva to pool up in their cheeks.

And when they open their mouth or shake their head…big ropes of drool escape.

If you want a dog who drools less, seek out a Rottweiler breeder whose line has tighter flews.

Too Much Drool can Indicate a Problem

Excessive drooling can indicate that there is a health problem for your Rottweiler.

You need to be take note of what the “normal” amount of drooling is for your Rottweiler. This sets a drool baseline so you know the difference between normal and excessive drooling.

By excessive drooling, I mean:

• An almost constant amount of drool
• The sudden occurrence of extra drool from his usual amount

While increased drooling, especially on hot days or after exercise, is not something to be overly concerned about, excessive drooling can be an early warning sign for more serious health issues.

Including:

• Heat Stroke: Rottweilers drool to keep themselves cool during those hotter months. However, a dog that is overheating and close to collapse will pant more. This, in turn, will cause excessive drooling. Prevent heat stroke by providing your dog with plenty of water and a cool place during the hot hours of the day.
• Anxiety: Believe it or not, Rottweilers will drool when they are anxious. This is very similar to heat stroke since a dog in distress will pant more and this will cause extra drool. If your dog is anxious, provide ways to calm down or remove him from what is causing his anxiety.
• Stomach Upset: Sometimes your Rottweiler will drool excessively because his stomach is upset. This could be due to eating too much or eating something like a poisonous plant. It will usually settle on it’s own, but if your Rottweiler is drooling for several hours, you should contact your vet.
• Dental Problems: Dental problems can range from an abscess to an infected or damaged tooth. It can also be as simple as a foreign object being caught between teeth or in the gums. When something is in your Rotty’s mouth, it can cause him to drool. And if it’s stuck in there, it can cause constant and excessive drooling.
• Respiratory Infection: Excessive drooling can occur when a Rottweiler has a respiratory infection. In addition to the drooling, your dog may sneeze and have a runny nose. If you suspect a respiratory infection, have your Rottweiler checked by your vet.
• Bloat: A condition that affects all deep chested breeds, which the Rottweiler is, bloat occurs with a build up of gas in the digestive tract. This causes the stomach to twist and possibly flip over, which knots the stomach. Excessive drooling is often an early sign of bloat and you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

As you can see, there are many reasons why a Rottweiler can drool excessively. Regular health checkups help catch serious problem early.

Is Rottweiler Drool a Health Risk?

The answer to this question is both yes and no.

Officially a maybe.

Drool can be a health risk if it the Rottweiler has parasites or illness. However, studies have found that drool decreases the risk of allergies developing in children.

Dog saliva/drool contain histatins, which actually aid in speeding up the healing of wounds.

What is the Best Way to Clean up Rottweiler Drool?

Everyone has their own way of battling drool and while you can find a dozen different ways to clean it, the best is a simple mixture.

Whether it is on clothing, furniture or carpet, drool lifts right off when you use a vinegar and baking soda mixture:

• Combine ¼ cup of vinegar, 1 cup of water, and a teaspoon of baking soda and dish soap.
• Apply it to the drool spot and the drool will disappear.
• Fast, easy and inexpensive.

A Rottweiler’s Personality Makes the Drool Manageable

Yes: Rottweilers have the potential to be drool machines.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t own one!

Many Rottweiler owners are the first to point out that their personality more than makes the drool manageable.

Rottweilers are a very confident breed.

They tend to be calm and while they are very affectionate with their family, they are aloof with strangers. In fact, you have to be extra special to befriend an adult rottweiler because they take their guarding seriously and can be suspicious of strangers.

But at home, in his house, he is courageous and extremely intelligent. Males tend to be more watchful than females.

Both are very quiet and love to work for their families.

And that is really what everyone wants, a wonderful family dog.

Which the Rottweiler is.

They can be pretty stubborn but with proper training and ownership, this is a dog that is amazing.

If you own a Rottweiler, you will quickly realize that a little, or a lot, of drool is okay when you are faced with such a great personality.

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