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11 Stinkiest Dog Breeds

Written by: Renee Moen
| Published on May 16, 2017

When you adopt a dog, you’re probably focused on their cute looks and lovable personality. But sooner or later, you’ll have to deal with the smell. Some dog breeds are extra smelly, but they’ll all have a stench at some point. So, it’s important to stay on top of your dog’s hygiene to tackle that smell before it worsens.

The following 11 dogs are some of the stinkiest dog breeds out there. They all have charming personalities, but you cannot neglect their baths! Regular grooming with your pup can go a long way.

#1 – Basset Hound

Happy Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are prone to bloat and gassiness, which means they’re also prone to odor. Their long, floppy ears can also get foul-smelling infections. On top of everything, they also have loose skin that’s often oily. Shampooing is essential for this breed, but too many baths will dry out their skin.

#2 – Cocker Spaniel

Fluffy Cocker Spaniel
Image: Mike Baird via Flickr

Both American and English Cocker Spaniels have an appearance of beauty and grace. Yet, their long, curly ears are prone to infection. Their long coats can also become oily, stinky, and filthy if not bathed frequently. Food allergies and skin conditions are also common, which are the results of poor breeding. All this together makes them a smelly dog breed.

#3 – Beagle

Beagle Napping on Chair

Beagles were bred to hunt in packs. Thus, they have a distinct odor that helped their ancestors locate each other when chasing prey. So, a Beagle’s oily coat could still contain a faint odor, even if washed often. They also have droopy ears like other hounds, which are prone to infections.

#4 – Pug

Smelly Pug Breed
Image: DodosD via Wikimedia Commons

Pugs are famous for their adorable wrinkly faces. Yet, the wrinkles that cover their body can add to their stench. If not cleaned properly, the skin folds could gather dirt and get infected. It’s important to check their anal glands often too. Pugs are also prone to extreme gassiness because of their short snouts. 

#5 – Bloodhound

Bloodhound Puppy
Image: Gilliamhome’s Olympus via Flickr

Bloodhounds have more loose skin than most breeds. So, their skin can become oily fast, requiring more baths. Their droopy ears also flop low to the ground, so ear infections are very common. These hounds have an excellent sense of smell, but they don’t seem to realize how stinky they are.

RELATED: 10 Least Smelly Dog Breeds

#6 – Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier Outside

A Yorkie’s fashionable looks don’t come easy. They need frequent brushing and bathing to look and smell nice. It’s also difficult to clean their ears due to their long ear hair. Their flowing hair could also get in the way while eating and drinking, which can make quite a mess.

#7 – English Bulldog

Smelly Bulldog Breed

Bulldogs have so much gas due to their flat snouts. Their squished faces can also cause teeth misalignment, which leads to plaque and decay. Their entire body is covered in wrinkles too. So, thorough cleaning among their skin folds is essential. The skin under their stubby tail is the most likely area to get infected.

#8 – Chinese Shar-Pei

Smelly Shar Pei Dog
Image: Yana Mishina via Wikimedia Commons

Shar-Peis have a distinct wrinkly appearance. Every little fold and crevice could become infected if not properly cared for. They can also get skin blisters, which turn into leaks when the blisters break. This dog breed will get a smelly infection if this ever occurs. So, bathe your pup often to avoid this.

#9 – Boxer

Guilty Boxer

Boxers are guilty of passing gas frequently. Like the other brachycephalic breeds on this list, they ingest a lot of air when they eat. As you can imagine, this doesn’t give them a pleasant smell. They also suffer from many food allergies, which can add to their flatulence problems.

#10 – Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard Flatulence
Image: Gerald Ferreira via Flickr

These gentle giants drool far more than most dog breeds. Their drool can get all over their thick coats, causing them to stink. If their coat isn’t brushed and bathed often, the smell won’t go away. Since they’re lazy dogs, they can also suffer from excessive gas and skin problems.

#11 – French Bulldog

Smelly French Bulldog Breed
Image: Artur Malinowski via Flickr

French Bulldogs share a lot of common characteristics with Pugs and English Bulldogs. They have flat snouts, making them extra gassy. Their adorable skin folds can pick up dirt and get infected too. So, regular baths are essential. But don’t bathe them too much or else their skin could dry out. Like all smelly dog breeds, we still love them despite their occasional odors.

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