Let’s be honest—dogs are adorable, loving, and full of personality, but some of them come with a little… extra aroma.
Yes, we’re talking about the stink factor! While every pup has its moments of questionable odor after a good roll in the mud or a dip in the pond, certain breeds seem to carry their own signature scent—one that lingers no matter how many baths you give.
But here’s the fun part: behind the smell lies some of the sweetest, funniest, and most loyal companions you’ll ever meet. These “stinky” breeds may drool a little more, shed a little stronger, or bring a farmyard smell into your living room, but their lovable personalities more than make up for it.
If you’ve ever wrinkled your nose while cuddling your pup—and then gone right back in for another hug—you know exactly what we mean.
We’ll sniff out the breeds known for being a little extra pungent, why they tend to be smellier than others, and how to keep them as fresh as possible. Spoiler: you’ll probably still fall in love with them, stink and all. Because sometimes, love really does stink!
Most Stinky Dog Breeds Ever Seen
1. Beagle
Beagles are the ultimate nose-to-the-ground detectives of the dog world, famous for their legendary sense of smell.
However, their incredible tracking ability sometimes comes with a classic hound-like aroma. A small to medium-sized scent hound, the Beagle was originally bred in England to hunt small game like rabbits and foxes.
They typically get along well with other animals and humans, making them excellent family pets. Though not overly noisy, they have three distinct vocalizations: a bark/growl, a baying howl, and a half-bay, often used when excited or alert.
Beagles were bred to hunt in packs, and their natural “doggy musk” actually helped other pack members track them during hunts. Translation: they’re biologically designed to smell.
Their short, close coat traps oils and odors, making that classic hound scent more noticeable indoors.
Long, floppy ears are adorable… but they’re prone to infections if not cleaned regularly, adding a little extra “oomph” to their natural scent.
Despite their sometimes pungent aroma, Beagles are social, curious, and downright adorable. That nose-to-the-ground determination paired with wagging tails makes any whiff totally worth it.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers: everyone’s favorite happy-go-lucky fluffball… and sometimes, their happiness smells like a wet gym sock. The Golden Retriever is a large, friendly, and intelligent dog breed originally developed in Scotland for retrieving game during hunting.
Known for their gentle temperament, loyalty, and love of people, Golden Retrievers make excellent family pets and are also widely used as therapy and assistance dogs.
Goldens love swimming, and a wet Golden equals wet-dog central. Their dense, water-resistant coat holds moisture, dirt, and that unmistakable “swim-day” odor.
Like Beagles, Golden coats produce natural oils that keep fur healthy but can also trap odors.
Mud, leaves, and whatever they sniff on walks all mingle with their coat and bring a hint of the great outdoors… straight into your living room.
Golden Retrievers may smell like a lake after a rainstorm sometimes, but their cheerful personality, endless loyalty, and soft, squishy fur make the occasional odor more than forgivable.
3. Pug
Ah, the Pug: tiny, wrinkly, and somehow both a comedian and a snore machine all rolled into one. But beneath that charming little face lies a powerful aroma potential that can make even the bravest dog lover pause.
Pugs are a small breed, typically standing 10–13 inches tall and weighing 15–18 pounds. Their coats are usually fawn with a black muzzle and ears or solid black. They are easily recognized by their short snouts, wrinkled faces, and large, expressive eyes.
Known for their friendly and loyal nature, Pugs make popular pets. WebMD says they enjoy the company of people, children, and other animals, and their small size allows them to comfortably live in homes of any size.
Those smooshed, pushed-in snouts may look cute, but they come with a side effect: extreme gassiness. Pugs are known for producing enough gas to clear a living room faster than a fire drill.
Pugs have deep facial wrinkles that trap food, drool, and other mystery substances. Skip a cleaning, and suddenly your tiny pug is a walking stink cloud.
Pugs (like many small breeds) sometimes need help emptying their anal glands. Neglect this, and the “pug perfume” hits an entirely new level.
Despite all this, these flat faced dogs remain lovable little clowns. They snuggle, snore, and greet you with such enthusiasm that the occasional odor is almost… forgivable. Think of it as part of their quirky personality—and their signature Pug charm.
At the end of the day, Pugs prove that sometimes, personality and love far outweigh the occasional stinky surprise. They may be small, but their stench is mighty—and their hearts are even bigger.
4. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs: the squishy-faced, snore-producing, nap-loving champions of the dog world. They’re charming, cuddly, and slow-walking bundles of love… but let’s be real—they can also be stink machines in their own right.
Although compact at 14–15 inches tall, Bulldogs are solidly built, weighing 40–50 pounds. They feature drooping lips and numerous wrinkles and folds on their face and neck. Known for their friendly nature, English Bulldogs often make excellent family pets, PetMD noted.
Like Shar-Peis, Bulldogs have skin folds that can trap moisture, dirt, and bacteria. Miss a cleaning session, and suddenly you’ve got a mini “odor factory” right under their adorable chin.
Bulldogs often have misaligned teeth, which can lead to plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth infections. And if you’ve ever gotten a whiff of bad doggy breath… well, let’s just say it can clear a room faster than a fire alarm.
Those smooshed noses? Great for looking cute, not so great for airflow. Bulldogs tend to have extra moist areas around their mouths, which can trap food particles and smell.
Despite the occasional stinky surprise, Bulldogs are impossible not to love. They snore like little vacuum cleaners, lean into every hug, and have personalities as big as their wrinkly faces. Think of the smell as… part of the Bulldog charm package.
Bulldogs may have a few “fragrance challenges,” but with a little care (and maybe some air fresheners), they’re still lovable, squishy, stinky, perfect companions.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Don’t let their tiny size fool you—Yorkshire Terriers may be small, but they can definitely pack a punch when it comes to… odors.
With their long, silky, and glamorous coats, these pint-sized pooches are basically walking hair commercials. But hair this fabulous comes with some responsibility… and occasionally, a whiff of trouble.
That flowing coat is beautiful, but it’s also a magnet for dirt, food, and other mystery messes. If left unchecked, it can trap odors faster than you can say “puppy cut.”
Yorkies have signature hairy ears that look adorable but are also a hotspot for wax and bacteria. Regular cleaning is non-negotiable unless you want a funky surprise.
Eating is messy business for a Yorkie. Long hair around the mouth can soak up drool and food, creating a mini “stink trap” right under their adorable nose.
Many Yorkie owners find salvation in the puppy cut—a tight, manageable trim that keeps cleanup easy and the smells at bay. But even with trims, these little divas have a knack for smelling like they’ve been rolling in something less-than-luxurious… because, well, they’re dogs.
Still, you can’t help but love them. Tiny paws, big personalities, and that luxurious coat make the occasional “eau de dog” totally worth it. Yorkies may be small, but their scent leaves a lasting impression—literally.
6. Shar-Pei
If you’ve ever seen a Shar-Pei, you probably thought, “Wow, that’s a dog… wrapped in another dog!” Their wrinkly folds are iconic, making them look like they’re wearing a suit two sizes too big.
But while those folds are irresistibly squishy and adorable, they’re also the perfect hide-and-seek spot for bacteria, yeast, and all things smelly.
Here’s the deal: Shar-Peis are blessed (or cursed, depending on how you look at it) with naturally high levels of hyaluronan, a substance in their skin that gives them those signature wrinkles.
Each fold is like a dark, damp little cave where odors love to party. If not cleaned often, they can smell like old gym towels forgotten in a locker.
Their unique skin can blister and invite yeast or bacterial infections, which bring along a not-so-pleasant perfume.
Shar-Peis often have narrow ear canals, which means ear infections (and their… unique scent) are pretty common.
But here’s the thing: Shar-Peis don’t mean to be stinky. They’re fiercely loyal, independent, and have that “I run this house” confidence. In fact, they’re like the dignified royals of the dog world—just with a bit of a… funky cologne.
At the end of the day, a Shar-Pei’s stink is just part of their charm. They may smell like they’ve been rolling around in the lost-and-found, but their loyalty and wrinkly hugs make every sniff worth it.
7. Mastiff
Let’s be honest—dogs are amazing. Loyal, goofy, adorable little (or giant) furballs that make life brighter. But some of them… well… they come with an aroma package that could knock the socks off a skunk. And leading the pack of lovable stink-machines? The Mastiff.
Now, don’t get me wrong—Mastiffs are majestic. They’re gentle giants, protectors of the home, and drool factories on four legs. But here’s the thing: when a Mastiff gets stinky, it’s next level. We’re talking eau de “what died under the couch?” mixed with a hint of “wet gym sock.”
Bigger dog, bigger surface area, bigger stink. They’ve got lots of skin folds, which can trap moisture, dirt, and bacteria. Basically, it’s a five-star resort for bad odors.
Mastiffs are world-class droolers. All that saliva dripping onto their chest, paws, and your furniture… well, let’s just say it doesn’t age like fine wine.
And oh yes, the farts. Mastiffs are notorious for clearing a room faster than a fire drill. That big barrel chest? Perfect for storing air—and releasing it at the worst possible moment.
But here’s the twist: despite being stink bombs, Mastiffs are impossible not to love. They lean their massive heads on you when you’ve had a bad day. They snore like grandpas after Thanksgiving dinner. They’ll guard your house with the same seriousness they give to guarding their food bowl.
Conclusion
Some of the most stinky dog breeds ever seen include Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, and Saint Bernards, often due to their oily coat, oily hound coat, thick double coat, long ears, and loose skin folds. These breeds are prone to strong odor, bad smell, and projectile drooling, which can be worsened by food allergies, skin allergies, or an active outdoor lifestyle.
To stay fresh and rid them of wet dog smell, most owners rely on regular grooming, regular bathing, meticulous cleaning, brushing, regular trims, and maintaining a good diet with easily digested food. Proper care of their skin, teeth, and coat helps avoid infection and keeps even the smelliest dogs a more pleasant pet.
