Dog breeds are considered messy for several reasons; that is because of their physical anatomy, curious nature, and unique body features. There are dogs that drink water as they are tempted to flood the house. You refill the bowl and turn back; the next thing you see is a wet floor. Your socks are wet, and your dog is walking away with water drooling out of their mouth.
This sounds familiar; you are not the only one! Some dog breeds are the sloppy drinkers. They make a big splash, whether it is due to their large lips, droopy jowls, or maybe they are in a hurry. Owning a dog provides a sense of purpose and responsibility, as a furry friend needs a lot of care and requires nurturing.
In this article, we are going to explore the messy drinking habits of the 10 messiest dog breeds known for their unpleasant drinking habits. We will examine the reasons behind their sloppy behavior and find out the factors that contribute to their drinking style, which could be facial structure, coat types, or long ears.
Dog Breeds with the Messiest Drinking Habits
Understanding which breeds are the messiest drinkers can help owners prepare for and manage the inevitable cleanup. The characteristics of each dog breed differ, and so do their drinking habits.
1. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are iconic for their size and droopy faces, features that contribute to their messy drinking habits. Their large jowls and loose skin around the mouth can trap a significant amount of water, which is often released as they move away from their water bowl.
According to PetMD, the St. Bernard is not all looks and muscles. This is a smart dog. They’re famous for being brainy, even-tempered, non-territorial (though they’ll protect you if there’s danger), obedient, very loyal, and great with kids and even other animals.
While messy drinking habits might be seen as a charming quirk of dog ownership, for owners of Saint Bernards, it’s a daily reality that requires practical management
2. English Bulldog
According to WebMD, the Bulldog is a muscular, heavy dog. They are well known for their wrinkled faces and pushed-in noses. Additionally, they have a large head, high-set ears, a short, broad muzzle, and deep-set eyes along with a crab-like waddle and a straight or screwed tail hung low and short.
Basically, the water bowl is their splashing zone; the water gathers inside their loose cheeks and drains on the floor, which creates a double mess. Bulldogs, with their unique brachycephalic (short-nosed) facial structure, tend to be messy drinkers.
Their wide, flat faces and compressed jaws mean that they often plunge their entire face into the water bowl, pushing water out as they drink
3. Boxer
Boxers, known for their playful and energetic nature, often approach drinking water with the same enthusiasm they show for life in general. Their somewhat droopy lips and deep chests are the reason behind making them messy dog breeds.
Elevated or angled water bowls designed for flat-faced breeds can sometimes help reduce the mess by allowing Bulldogs to drink more comfortably.
Boxers are known for their social nature and strong protective instincts, making them excellent family dogs. Originally bred as hunters, they’ve evolved into loyal guardians and energetic companions. Intelligent, affectionate, and always eager to please, Boxers combine playfulness with a dependable work ethic.
4. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed, and at the same time, they are one of the messiest breeds. They love water; they used to gulp it down as they intended to finish the entire bowl within seconds.
In the majority of cases, the mess is created due to the shape of the mouth. These dogs have floppy lips and large tongues, which cause difficulties in drinking neatly. They remain excited as one time they are at a certain place and in a millisecond they change it. In this way, they make the entire floor wet.
5. Pug
Britannica states that Pugs are extremely playful and affectionate. The Pug is a popular companion dog. It is confident without being foolhardy, active without being hyperactive, and loving without being clingy.
They simply become excited and forget to pace as they walk away with half of the bowl in their mouth. It’s evident that you need to clean the space, but these dogs add more laughter to the dull and boring routines.
6. Beagle
Beagles are not considered heavy droolers, yet they also make a mess. They have a strong appetite, and they tend to eat and drink so quickly that it ends in creating a big mess. They usually gulp water enthusiastically and eagerly, as their long ears often get inside the water bowl, and as they walk away, Beagles leave their marks.
Beagles are the naughty dogs that stay active to do multiple things. They are excellent family pets, but not to forget, the owners have to deal with regular splashes.
7. Newfoundland
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the massive Newfoundland is a strikingly large, powerful working dog of heavy bone and dignified bearing. The sweet-tempered Newfie is a famously good companion and has earned a reputation as a patient and watchful ‘nanny dog’ for kids.
They are water-loving dog breeds, and they also create big messes around the house. Newfoundlands are 28 inches tall and carry 120 pounds of weight, and the mess they produce is double in size.
They wear a heavy coat, have big mouths and sloppy lips, and all of it gathers a lot of water each time they gulp. They drip water and drool everywhere in the house.
8. Basset Hound
Basset Hounds, with their long ears and droopy jowls, are predisposed to making a mess when they drink. Their ears can dip into the water bowl, absorbing water and then dragging it across the floor.
Basset Hounds are moderately intelligent, but they can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training. It’s best to begin training early, using plenty of positive reinforcement to keep them motivated. They have a natural love for tracking and scent work, even if it’s just for fun.
9. Great Dane
Great Danes are among the largest dogs that create a huge mess. As it has the folded sides around the mouth, it creates difficulty drinking water in a nice way, as water drips out of the mouth. For these big babies, the owner requires a mop to be readily available.
Great Dane owners might find that using very large, heavy water bowls that are harder to tip or splash over, combined with a regular towel-down after drinking.
10. Bulldog
Bulldogs have heavy lips and short noses; thus, it is very difficult for them to drink in a clean, manageable way. They create various sounds while drinking.
Although they might seem a bit smaller in size, they create a big mess. These dogs have loose skin that creates difficulty in drinking water from a bowl.
Bulldogs are known for their dependable nature and make excellent family pets. Gentle and affectionate with children, they thrive on human interaction and often seek out attention from their loved ones.
Conclusion
The research found that dogs are six times more likely to wreak havoc in the home than cats. These dogs are the messiest drinkers and can help owners prepare for and manage the inevitable cleanup, ensuring their homes and the dog’s drinking area remain as dry and hygienic as possible.
Use a bowl with a unique design; it doesn’t take much searching to find water dishes that can help your dog keep their excess water in their bowl. Shallow bowls with small diameters are not suitable for messy drinkers.
Instead of heading over with a towel or mop each time, consider getting an absorbent mat that can soak up some of the water and at least prevent slippery puddles.
