Water is a vital element for dogs, but how they consume it can vary greatly across breeds, with some leaving behind a noticeable trail of splashes and spills. While most dogs aren’t exactly tidy drinkers, certain breeds have gained a reputation for their particularly messy drinking habits. This can be attributed to factors such as facial structure, coat type, and drinking style. Understanding which breeds are the messiest drinkers 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. This article will explore six dog breeds known for their messy drinking habits, examining the reasons behind their sloppy water consumption and offering tips on how to minimize the aftermath.
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. Additionally, the breed’s long fur can soak up water, leading to drips and trails across the floor. To mitigate the mess, owners might consider using specially designed water bowls that limit the amount of water a dog can scoop up at once or placing waterproof mats under their water dishes.
2. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands, known for their giant size and thick double coats, are also notorious for leaving a watery mess behind after quenching their thirst. Their large, floppy lips and jowls capture and hold water, which is then dropped or shaken off once they’re done drinking. Given their affinity for water and their considerable size, it’s no surprise that Newfoundlands can make quite the splash. Owners may find that providing an outdoor drinking area or using spill-proof water bowls helps in keeping the area around the water dish more manageable.
3. Bulldog
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. Bulldogs also have difficulty picking up water efficiently due to their short muzzles, resulting in a lot of splashing and dribbling. Elevated or angled water bowls designed for flat-faced breeds can sometimes help reduce the mess by allowing Bulldogs to drink more comfortably and efficiently.
4. Mastiff
Mastiffs are another breed with impressive size and droopy jowls, leading to inevitable water bowl chaos. Their large mouths can displace a significant amount of water, and their loose, hanging skin around the mouth holds onto water until it’s inevitably released onto the floor. The sheer volume of water a Mastiff can consume in one go also contributes to the mess. Mastiff 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, can keep the aftermath to a minimum.
5. 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 mean they can create quite a splash zone around their water bowl. Boxers may benefit from water bowls with high sides to contain some of the splashes or automatic water dispensers that release water slowly, minimizing the amount of water they can send flying at any one time.
6. 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, while their loose lips allow water to escape as they lift their heads. Strategic grooming to keep ear hair trimmed and the use of ear covers during drinking can help minimize the mess. Additionally, a shallow water bowl may prevent their ears from becoming as wet, reducing the amount of water spread around.
While messy drinking habits might be seen as a charming quirk of dog ownership, for owners of Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Boxers, and Basset Hounds, it’s a daily reality that requires practical management. Factors like facial structure, breed size, and individual behaviour contribute to the level of mess these dogs can create. By employing creative solutions such as specially designed water bowls, strategic grooming, and placement of waterproof mats, owners can help keep their homes drier and more comfortable, both for themselves and their beloved, though sloppy, canine companions.
Toledo, United States.
